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The courtroom drama surrounding Kanye West's Malibu mansion trial took an unusual turn Friday as the artist now legally known as Ye appeared to drift in and out of attention while testifying in a lawsuit over renovations at his former beachfront property.

Observers inside the downtown Los Angeles courtroom described the hip-hop mogul as drowsy at times during questioning, occasionally closing his eyes and appearing to nod forward while seated on the witness stand.

Several journalists covering the proceedings said Ye frequently responded with variations of “I don’t recall,” offering minimal details as he answered dozens of questions related to the dispute.

The lawsuit was filed by contractor Tony Saxon, who claims he is owed $1 million in unpaid wages and expenses tied to a renovation project at the historic Malibu residence in 2021.

Drowsy Moments and Short Answers Capture Courtroom Attention

Witness Stand Becomes Unexpected Spectacle

According to reports from Rolling Stone, Ye repeatedly yawned and kept his eyes closed for extended stretches during questioning, occasionally tilting forward as if drifting toward sleep while seated before the court.

The unusual behavior did not go unnoticed.

Those watching from the courtroom gallery exchanged puzzled looks as the testimony unfolded. At one point, Saxon’s attorney, Ron Zambrano, reportedly mouthed to a colleague, “Is he asleep?”

Courthouse News Service echoed the observation, reporting that Ye appeared to nod off intermittently as Zambrano pressed him with questions.

Despite the spectacle, the substance of the testimony remained sparse. Ye largely stuck to brief answers — “yes,” “no,” or “I don’t recall.”

A Rare Moment of Memory Sparks Laughter

Yet amid the fog of forgotten details, one exchange briefly lit up the courtroom.

Emilie Hagen, who has been documenting the trial through daily videos on the Instagram account @kanyesposts, described a series of questions Zambrano posed to the rapper.

Zambrano asked whether Ye remembered taking Saxon to McDonald’s.
“ No,” Ye replied.

Did he recall driving Saxon to a hardware store?
Again, “No.”

What about calling Saxon when the contractor reportedly ran out of gas on the roadside?
“ No.”

Then came a surprising shift.

When asked whether he remembered Saxon having “a bad body odor,” Ye suddenly answered “Yes.”

The unexpected recollection triggered amusement among those following the testimony. As Hagen recounted online, Ye appeared able to recall how the contractor smelled but not the alleged errands or encounters connected to the renovation project.

Ye Clarifies His Name and Design Ideas

“It’s Just Ye”

During questioning, the rapper also paused proceedings briefly to clarify how he should be addressed.

“It’s just Ye,” he told the attorney, emphasizing that his full legal name no longer includes “Mr.” or “Kanye West.”

While many answers were brief or noncommittal, Ye did offer clarification on several details tied to the renovation project.

For example, when asked whether he had ordered all staircases inside the Malibu house to be converted into slides, Ye said the claim was exaggerated.

He testified that the idea involved only one staircase, not every staircase in the building.

Ye also addressed allegations that he had demanded the home be stripped of electricity, plumbing and windows to create an “off-the-grid” structure.

He acknowledged wanting changes but explained the building would still have plumbing — though “it was going to be a different system.”

Bianca Censori Testified a Day Earlier

Ye’s testimony followed an earlier appearance by his wife, Bianca Censori, who took the stand Thursday.

Like Ye, Censori frequently responded with “I don’t recall” when questioned by Zambrano, although she occasionally offered longer explanations.

Her testimony focused heavily on a central argument in Ye’s defense — that Saxon allegedly misrepresented his professional credentials.

Censori told the court that when she ended her involvement with the Malibu project, she asked Saxon whether he possessed a contractor’s license.

“He said he did,” she testified.

Contractor Disputes Defense Claim

Saxon, however, disputes that narrative.

In his own testimony, he insisted he was transparent about his qualifications from the beginning.

“I told him I was just a guy with a minivan, not a licensed contractor,” Saxon said.

Despite that disclosure, Saxon claims Ye placed him in charge of overseeing renovation work at the property before eventually terminating him.

The contractor argues that he is still owed $1 million for labor and expenses connected to the unfinished project.

A Glimpse Into Ye’s Inner Circle

The trial has also provided glimpses into the personal dynamics surrounding Ye during the time the renovations took place.

Back in 2021, Ye was still married to Kim Kardashian, while Censori worked within his organization and had already developed a reputation for her interest in design and architecture.

Censori confirmed a moment described earlier in testimony involving an employee who mistakenly believed she was Kardashian during a visit to the Malibu property.

According to witnesses, the mix-up reportedly upset Kardashian. However, testimony indicated that Ye ultimately forgave the employee for the confusion.

High-Profile Trial Continues

As Kanye West's Malibu mansion trial moves forward, the courtroom proceedings have taken on a surreal tone — part legal battle, part celebrity spectacle.

Between sleepy testimony, disputed renovation plans and questions about unpaid wages, the case is unfolding like a slow-burning drama along the Malibu coastline.

Whether the jury ultimately views the testimony as forgetfulness, fatigue or strategy remains to be seen as the high-profile lawsuit continues.