Kanye West has once again found himself at the center of controversy—this time facing a serious international backlash. According to a report from the Daily Mail, the American rapper’s chances of visiting Australia were dashed on Wednesday after his visa was officially revoked.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed to ABC News that West, known for his provocative antics and inflammatory comments, is no longer welcome in the country due to recent remarks and music deemed antisemitic. “He’s been coming to Australia for a long time,” Burke stated, referencing West’s long-standing connections to the country.
“He’s got family here, and he’s made a lot of offensive comments that my officials looked at again.” West, 47, is married to Australian architect and model Bianca Censori, 30, who was born and raised in Melbourne. The pair’s relationship had sparked speculation that West would visit his in-laws and spend time in the country. However, those plans now appear to be off the table.
The tipping point came after West released a track titled Heil Hitler on May 8, which has been widely condemned for allegedly promoting Nazi ideology. The title and content of the song drew outrage, prompting a renewed review of his visa eligibility. “Once he released the Heil Hitler song, he no longer had a valid visa in Australia,” Burke said, making clear that the decision was not based on a planned tour or concert.
“It wasn’t a visa for the purpose of concerts,” he clarified. “It was a lower-level visa, and the officials still looked at the law and said, you’re going to have a song and promote that sort of Nazism—we don’t need that in Australia.”
West, who has previously faced intense criticism for expressing admiration for Adolf Hitler in interviews and public appearances, has seen his global reputation damaged by repeated antisemitic rhetoric. Several major brands and industry figures have distanced themselves from the rapper in recent years, following similar incidents.
Australia’s decision to cancel his visa adds to a growing list of consequences stemming from West’s controversial statements and creative output. While the rapper has not yet publicly responded to the visa denial, the move reflects a broader trend of international scrutiny and intolerance toward hate speech and extremism in popular culture.
For now, it appears Kanye West will remain unwelcome in Australia, as officials cite both legal precedent and moral responsibility in keeping such messages out of the country.