Amber Rose has finally addressed Kanye West’s “Famous” music video in an interview with The Daily Beast. The interview covers a lot, from her current endeavors to her break up with Kanye and the release of his album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.
In the interview, Rose speaks about how her career is always prefaced by the fact that she became famous because she was Kanye’s girlfriend, and how it is difficult to overcome that perception and create her own image.
The interviewer asks her about her role in the “Famous” music video, and how there seemed to be a gendered response to her “appearance.” She responded:
“The misconception—and I still hear this seven years later, to this day—is, “You’re only famous for Kanye.” Initially, absolutely. In 2009, when they’re like, “Amber Rose—Kanye’s girlfriend,” I was like, “OK, that’s pretty accurate. That’s what it is.” But I didn’t ask to be famous, and I didn’t even talk or do interviews for two years, because I thought, “I don’t want this. I’m not famous.” Over time, with going out in public, I realized it would never go away, so I didn’t have any choice but to progress. Everything I’ve done since then is my own doing, and I’ve worked my f*cking ass off for everything I have. But Wendy Williams put Charlamagne on. JAY Z put Kanye on! But they don’t do that to men, and they always want to diminish my accomplishments and put them on someone else when I work really hard.”
Last week we heard reports that Taylor Swift was furious over her likeness being used in Kanye’s video, and it sounds like Rose would prefer to move on from Kanye and talk about her own career. She continues in the interview to speak about her relationship with her ex-husband, Wiz Khalifa, and how they are better friends now than when they were married.
Read the full interview here.