A surprising twist has emerged amid frenzied speculation that Kanye West and Kim Kardashian are giving their relationship another crack.
West shocked onlookers over the weekend at a listening event for his new album, Donda, with a figure who appeared to be Kardashian, dressed in a haute couture Balenciaga bridal gown, appearing onstage alongside her husband for a faux wedding ceremony.
Multiple reports quickly emerged claiming the pair had put their divorce on hold - but music insiders have since painted a different picture.
According to Page Six, the reconciliation story "isn't true" - and it's a rumour being spread by West himself.
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Advertise with NZME."Kanye has been telling other rappers that he and Kim are back together, but everybody knows that isn't true," a music insider reportedly told the publication.
"The real story is that Kanye wants to beat Drake in record sales, and he is putting on a big show of performance art to grab all the media attention."
Kardashian filed for divorce from West in February, after a turbulent year during which he publicly accused his wife's family of trying to "lock him up" and launched an ill-fated attempt to become US President.
The former couple share four children: North, 8, Saint, 5, Chicago, 3, and Psalm, 2.
The source also told Page Six that the couple "weren't talking for months" after she filed for divorce - but had begun speaking again recently "for the sake of their kids".
"Kim is a nice person – while she and Kanye are not back together – she's happy to support him in his work and his art, she wants a good relationship with him for the sake of their children," the source said.
Meanwhile, Kardashian was reportedly less than thrilled when West also brought accused sexual abuser Marilyn Manson (real name Brian Warner) and DaBaby - who has been under fire for recent homophobic remarks - on stage with him at the Donda event.
According to E, the cosmetic and fashion mogul was "blindsided" and "very upset" by the controversial stunt.
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Advertise with NZME."She would never have participated in something if she knew Manson was a part of it," a source told the outlet.
Kardashian reportedly "expressed" her frustration to West, who insisted the stunt was an "art form".
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"Kanye wanted a reaction. He wants people talking about his album and that's the approach he was taking," the source said.
West's long-awaited album was finally released to streaming services late on Sunday night, Australian time - sparking a furious reaction from the rapper, who claims it was done by the studio and against his wishes.
"UNIVERSAL PUT MY ALBUM OUT WITHOUT MY APPROVAL AND THEY BLOCKED JAIL 2 FROM BEING ON THE ALBUM," West posted to Instagram this morning.
