The Project hosts weighed in on Kanye West‘s recent public meltdown during Thursday’s episode.
Their comments came after weeks of worrying behaviour from the 43-year-old rapper, including his recent announcement that he would run for US President.
Kanye’s public outbursts prompted his wife of six years, Kim Kardashian, to make an announcement on Instagram Stories on Wednesday, asking for ‘compassion and empathy’.
Troubling: The Project hosts weighed in on Kanye West’s recent public meltdown during Thursday’s episode. Pictured, Em Rusciano
‘Kanye has been such a popular punching bag for social media and journalists alike,’ said Project panelist Em Rusciano.
‘I think as a wife and a mother she has spoken about how this is affecting them, and people need to think about what if it was your family member and it is so public.’
Fellow panelist Peter Helliar said he couldn’t quite understand what was going on with the star.
Concerning: Their comments came after weeks of worrying behaviour from Kanye West. Pictured at his first presidential campaign rally in South Carolina on July 19
‘I think whatever we’re watching at the moment, it’s gone past entertainment value, comedic value, and we’re seeing somebody have quite an episode, and the family really go through that,’ the 45-year-old comedian added.
On July 4, Kanye announced he was planning on running in the upcoming US presidential election in November.
He later held a campaign rally in South Carolina on July 19, where he gave a rambling speech, before breaking down in tears and claiming Kim had almost aborted their seven-year-old daughter, North.
Having his say: ‘I think whatever we’re watching at the moment, it’s gone past entertainment value, comedic value, and we’re seeing somebody have quite an episode,’ said Peter Helliar (pictured)
A day later, he posted a series of tweets comparing himself to the late President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, and claiming Kim, 39, was trying to lock him up.
Kanye returned to Twitter on July 21, claiming he had been ‘trying to get divorced’ from Kim ever since she allegedly met up with rapper Meek Mill at a hotel.
He also referred to his mother-in-law Kris Jenner as ‘Kris Jong-Un’, a reference to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, and accused Kris, 64, and Kim of ‘white supremacy’ in a bizarre rant.
Making a statement: Kanye’s public outbursts prompted his wife, Kim Kardashian (pictured), to make an announcement on Instagram Stories on Wednesday, asking for ‘compassion and empathy’
In a series of posts on Instagram Stories of Wednesday, Kim claimed Kanye was struggling with ‘bipolar disorder’.
She also hinted that she and her family were struggling to get him the necessary help to deal with his illness.
‘Those that understand mental illness or even compulsive behaviour know that the family is powerless unless the member is a minor,’ she wrote.
Speaking candidly: In a series of posts on Instagram Stories of Wednesday, Kim claimed Kanye was struggling with ‘bipolar disorder’
‘People who are unaware of, or far removed from this experience can be judgmental and not understand that the individual themselves have to engage in the process of getting help no matter how hard family and friends try.’
Kim ended her post by asking for ‘understanding’ and thanking people for their concern.
‘I kindly ask that the media and public give us the compassion and empathy that is needed so that we can get through this. Thank you for those who have expressed concern for Kanye’s wellbeing and for your understanding,’ she wrote.
Tough: ‘The individual themselves have to engage in the process of getting help no matter how hard family and friends try,’ Kim wrote