Kanye West Wants Donda Academy Trial Delayed Until 2027

BY Erika Marie
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May 27, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Entertainer and rapper Kanye West (middle) during the first half against the Houston Rockets in
May 27, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Entertainer and rapper Kanye West (middle) during the first half against the Houston Rockets in game five of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs. at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
A former Donda Academy guard’s lawsuit may be pushed back after Kanye West requested more time to prepare for trial.

Tour dates in Russia and the recent deportation of Milo Yiannopoulos are now part of Ye’s bid to postpone an October civil trial brought by a former Donda Academy security guard. His attorneys want the case pushed into May 2027, arguing that more preparation is needed before they can face Benjamin Provo in court.

Legal documents reviewed by TMZ show Ye’s team asking to move the Oct. 12 trial to May 17, 2027, or another date the judge finds workable. The filing accuses Provo and his attorney of causing delays during discovery. Ye is also seeking sanctions against them. His lawyers say the current date conflicts with planned performances in Russia on Oct. 10 and 11. Those concerts are not locked in, however. TMZ reports that St. Petersburg’s Gazprom Arena backed out as the planned venue last month, leaving the promoter searching for another location.

The filing also points to Yiannopoulos, a former Yeezy chief of staff whom Ye’s attorneys describe as one of the people most familiar with the allegations. They argue that his recent deportation by U.S. immigration authorities complicates preparations for trial.

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Provo Says He Was Fired After Refusing To Cut His Dreadlocks

The underlying lawsuit stems from Provo’s time working security at Donda Academy. According to a broader examination of the school by the Los Angeles Times, Provo alleges that Ye treated Black employees less favorably and objected to books about prominent Black figures. He also claims Ye demanded that he cut his dreadlocks, which Provo says carried religious significance for him.

Provo alleges he lost his job after refusing. Ye and the other defendants have denied the claims in court filings. For now, the Oct. 12 trial date remains in place. The judge has not yet ruled on Ye’s request to move the case to May 2027.

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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming the Co-Head of Original Content. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, and Amy Luciani—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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