In a revealing moment from the upcoming Kanye West documentary, Elon Musk and the rapper shared a surprisingly candid conversation about their relationship struggles with Kim Kardashian and Grimes.
This bizarre interaction, captured during the filming of “In Whose Name?”, offers a rare glimpse into the personal lives of two of the world’s most controversial moguls. Here’s what really happened between them.
1. The Setting: Backstage at Kanye’s Donda 2 Listening Party
The encounter between Elon Musk and Kanye West (now known as Ye) occurred backstage at the Donda 2 listening party in Miami in 2022.
Musk, dressed casually in a black jacket, thanked Ye for inviting him, praising the event as an “amazing production” and a “rare experience” .
The tech billionaire seemed genuinely impressed by the scale and creativity of Ye’s artistic vision.
What made this moment particularly unusual was the location where much of their conversation took place.
Ye led Musk to a minimalist, all-white room described as “an idea of a bedroom,” featuring a large, pillowy mattress covering the entire floor.
The two men lay side-by-side on this cushiony surface, staring at the ceiling as they began discussing their personal lives .
2. Musk’s Awkward Question About Kim Kardashian
The conversation took an intimate turn when Musk boldly asked Ye about his relationship with Kim Kardashian, who had filed for divorce from the rapper in February 2021 (with the divorce being finalized in November 2022). Musk laughed awkwardly as he asked:
“So are you and Kim like off and on or something? Or, I don’t know, it’s hard to tell” .
Ye reportedly responded with little more than a groan, avoiding a direct answer to Musk’s probing question about his then-still-unfolding divorce proceedings . This evasion was notable given West’s very public attempts to reconcile with Kardashian during this period.
3. Musk’s Revelation About His Turbulent Relationship with Grimes
Perhaps the most revealing moment came when Musk opened up about his own romantic struggles with musician Grimes (real name Claire Boucher). The Tesla CEO described their complicated relationship dynamic:
“Claire and I, Grimes, we’re sort of… you know, in the same text stream, she’s like, ‘I love you.’ And then, like, you know, a day later, like, ‘I hate you'” .
Musk chuckled nervously as he shared these intimate details, highlighting the emotional whiplash of his on-again, off-again relationship with the Canadian artist.
The couple, who began dating in 2018 after connecting over their shared interest in artificial intelligence and art, have three children together: X Æ A-12, Exa Dark Sideræl (nicknamed Y), and Techno Mechanicus .
Table: Elon Musk and Grimes’ Relationship Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Began dating after connecting online |
| 2020 | Welcome first child, X Æ A-12 |
| 2021 | Welcome daughter Exa Dark Sideræl via surrogate; briefly separate |
| 2022 | Welcome third child, Techno Mechanicus; end romantic relationship |
| 2023 | Grimes sues Musk for parental rights |
4. Kanye’s Response: “I Don’t Have the Answers”
When Musk looked to Ye for advice on how to handle his turbulent relationship with Grimes, the rapper seemed at a loss despite his own very public romantic ups and downs. Ye asked Musk, “And what do you do?” to which Musk could only respond with a bewildered “Whoa, OK. Yeah, exactly” .
West then offered a surprisingly humble admission: “I don’t have answers. Answers to everything except for that” . This moment of vulnerability was particularly striking coming from someone known for his outsized confidence and self-assurance.
5. The Documentary Context: “In Whose Name?”
The Musk-Ye interaction appears in “In Whose Name?”, a documentary directed by Nico Ballesteros, who began shadowing West when he was just 18 years old.
Over six years, Ballesteros compiled more than 3,000 hours of footage during some of Ye’s most tumultuous years, including his struggles with mental health, bipolar diagnosis, divorce from Kardashian, loss of endorsement deals, and various controversies .
The film features an impressive array of celebrity cameos, including Beyoncé, Jay Z, Lady Gaga, LeBron James, Rihanna, Chris Rock, Drake, Kim Kardashian, Diddy, Donald Trump, Kris Jenner, Pharrell Williams, and Scooter Braun .
But Musk’s appearance stands out for its raw vulnerability from someone typically known for his calculated public persona.
According to the film’s synopsis, “What began as silent observation evolved into a profound journey of artistic and personal growth.
Immersed in Ye’s world of extremes, [Ballesteros] bore witness to brilliance and breakdowns, triumphs and turmoil; but also observed the paranoia and intensity that increasingly shaped Ye’s world” .
6. The Aftermath: Divorces, Custody Battles, and Moving On
Both men’s relationship struggles continued to evolve after the documented encounter.
Grimes sued Musk for parental rights to their three children in 2023 , while Kim Kardashian has reportedly distanced herself from Ye following his social media tirades about his current wife, Bianca Censori .
A source close to Kardashian revealed that she finds Ye’s recent comments “disturbing” and has chosen to stay away from the drama, focusing instead on co-parenting their four children .
This approach has been praised by fans and media alike who appreciate her efforts to maintain stability for her family.
7. The Significance: Humanizing Larger-Than-Life Figures
The candid exchange between Musk and Ye is significant because it humanizes two larger-than-life figures often seen as untouchable moguls. Their conversation reveals that despite their immense wealth and fame, they struggle with the same relationship challenges as many others .
This vulnerability contrasts sharply with Musk’s public persona as a relentless innovator at Tesla and SpaceX, and Ye’s image as an artistic genius prone to controversy. The documentary moment shows both men in a rare state of personal reflection and uncertainty .
Industry observers note that such raw interactions could redefine celebrity documentaries, blending personal vulnerability with cultural commentary . The film’s timing aligns with a surge in biographical films, including Alex Gibney’s separate Elon Musk profile .
Conclusion: A Moment of Rare Honesty Between Moguls
The encounter between Elon Musk and Kanye West in the “In Whose Name?” documentary provides a fascinating glimpse into the personal lives of two of the most influential and controversial figures in contemporary culture. Their candid discussion about relationship struggles with Kim Kardashian and Grimes reveals the human vulnerabilities behind their public personas.
This documented moment captures a rare instance of honesty and uncertainty between two moguls not known for showing self-doubt. It reminds us that regardless of wealth, status, or fame, navigating personal relationships remains fundamentally human—and often challenging.
“In Whose Name?” is scheduled for release in select theaters on September 19, 2025 , promising more revealing moments from Ye’s tumultuous life and career.
Last modified: September 13, 2025
