Kanye West and Irina Shayk have only been seeing each other for a couple of months, but apparently their fledgling relationship is off to a strong start, and even the rapper’s estranged wife, Kim Kardashian, is supportive of the pairing.
After spending his birthday together in France earlier this month, “Kanye and Irina are in a honeymoon, lovey-dovey phase right now,” a source told Us Weekly. “They’re getting to know each other and having a lot of fun. It’s not serious yet, but they like each other a lot.” They went on to point out that West’s courtship of the model was quite similar to his pursuit of Kim in that “Kanye was the first one to reach out,” and they’ve known each other for years. “He saw her on his video shoot [for “Power”] in 2010 and thought she was gorgeous. He always thought she was special and she held a place in his mind.”
Another source revealed to People that “Kanye is doing well. He had a great trip to France with Irina,” but he doesn’t plan on uprooting his whole life on the West Coast for the model just yet. They continued, “They will date long distance. Kanye will continue to be LA-based. He has no plans to move to NYC. His kids live in LA. He is very focused on business in LA too. He likes spending time with Irina though and plans to see her soon again.” They added that the rapper “started pursuing her a few weeks ago. Kanye is a persuasive guy. He hung out with her in NYC before they celebrated his birthday in France.” As for Shayk, “She seems smitten,” the source revealed. “He invited her to France and she happily accepted. They are not officially dating, but there is an interest from both sides.”
And Kim Kardashian apparently has no problem with the fact that her estranged husband has already found new love just months after they officially filed for divorce. “[Kim is] genuinely happy for him and wants him to move on,” another source told Us Weekly. “She thinks Irina is a great fit for him.” That’s very much in line with what an insider previously told the outlet about the reality star’s reaction, saying, “Kim doesn’t mind because she saw how quiet and respectful Irina was after she broke up with Bradley [Cooper],” adding that she “wouldn’t like” to see her estranged husband move on with someone “who’s going to talk to the press.”
As for Cooper, who shares a 3-year-old daughter with Shayk, he’s also totally encouraging of his ex’s new relationship. “Bradley would be fully supportive of whoever Irina chooses to date — he just wants her to be happy,” yet another source told Us Weekly earlier this month. “Bradley and Irina are not just on good terms as coparents, they’re also close as friends and share personal things with each other.” But while both of their former partners are approving of the new relationship, Shayk and West are still taking things day by day. “They’re not close to introducing each other to their children yet,” the insider added. “It’s too soon for that.” In fact, both stars’ friends are still trying to figure out “if this will last or if it’s a fling.”
— What Is Naomi Osaka’s Job, Really?
— Did Paying a Ransom for a Stolen Magritte Painting Inadvertently Fund Terrorism?
— Y.A. Author A.S. King Lost Her Child. Now She Hopes to Save Others
— First Comes the Pandemic Divorce, Then the “Tits Out” Summer
— After the BBC Apology, How Should We Think About That Bombshell Princess Diana Interview?— A Shipwreck, a Montauk Mystery, and the Class Divide That Still Defines the Hamptons
— The High Stakes of William and Kate’s Scotland Visit
— The Best Swimsuits, Just in Time for Summer
— From the Archive: Queen Elizabeth’s Most Loyal Subjects
— Sign up for the Royal Watch newsletter to receive all the chatter from Kensington Palace and beyond.