A new documentary offers an unprecedented look into the life of Kanye West, and it features a staggering number of famous faces appearing as themselves. In Whose Name?, directed by Nico Ballesteros, compresses over six years of filming into a raw portrait of the artist, also known as Ye. The film is unique because it does not use any talking heads or narration, instead placing viewers directly into Ye’s world through footage captured between 2018 and 2024. What makes the documentary particularly striking is the roster of celebrities who appear, all playing themselves, from music icons to business moguls.
How the Documentary Was Made
The project began when director Nico Ballesteros was just 18 years old. He gained remarkable access to Kanye West’s life, eventually filming over 3,000 hours of footage, much of it shot on an iPhone. Ballesteros described his approach as “fly-on-the-wall,” aiming to fade into the background and capture moments outside of West’s public performance. The film was whittled down to a runtime of 104 minutes and was released in theaters on September 19, 2025 .
The director has said that the camera became a way for him to engage with the world. In an interview, Ballesteros stated, “For a shy kid, the camera became both a shield and a window, a way to channel my introspection while still engaging with the world” . The production team chose to avoid third-party commentary to create a film without a specific agenda, allowing audiences to draw their own conclusions from the unfiltered scenes .
Full List of Celebrities Appearing as Themselves
The documentary features a wide array of public figures who cross paths with Ye during the six-year period. Below is the complete list of celebrities who appear as themselves in In Whose Name? .
- Playboi Carti (Jordan Terrell Carter)
- Michael Che
- Consequence (Dexter Raymond Mills Jr.)
- Drake (Aubrey Drake Graham)
- Lady Gaga (Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta)
- Kris Jenner
- Charlie Kirk (Charles James Kirk)
- David Letterman
- Marilyn Manson (Brian Hugh Warner)
- Elon Musk
- Joel Osteen
- Rihanna (Robyn Rihanna Fenty)
- Amber Rose
- Swizz Beatz (Kasseem Daoud Dean)
- Pharrell Williams
- Anna Wintour
- Ye (Kanye Omari West)
- Lil Dicky (David Andrew Bird)
- DMX (Earl Simmons)
- Chris Rock
- Diddy (Sean Combs)
- James Turrell
- Kenny G
Key Moments with Celebrities
The film includes several notable scenes where these celebrities interact with Ye, often leading to tense or revealing moments. The access granted to Ballesteros allows viewers to see private conversations and confrontations that were previously only hinted at in headlines .
One significant moment features Swizz Beatz challenging Ye during a studio session about his decision to wear a customized MAGA hat . In another scene, Michael Che confronts Ye backstage at Saturday Night Live after the rapper went off-script during a live broadcast. “That was fucked up,” Che tells him. “Why are you going to call me out if I ain’t got a chance to say anything for myself?” .
The documentary also shows personal and emotional exchanges. Kris Jenner is seen in a conversation with Ye about his mental health that leaves her in tears . In a different setting, Ye is filmed lying on a bed with Elon Musk, where the two awkwardly compare relationship woes .
Kim Kardashian, Ye’s now ex-wife, appears as a central figure trying to manage his behavior. In one scene, after his controversial White House visit, she tells him, “I’ve been crying all day — it’s just this bad dream that’s not ending. I’m not about burning bridges with companies. You’re going to wake up one day and you’re going to have nothing” .
Film’s Reception and Focus
Early reviews note that the documentary provides a visceral, often unsettling look at Ye’s world. The film does not shy away from showing his struggles with bipolar disorder, his explosive temper, and the consequences of his public statements . While some reviewers felt the documentary lacked a clear narrative throughline, others found its direct approach to be its greatest strength, offering a complex portrait without easy judgments .
The film captures the period where Ye’s actions led to the loss of major brand partnerships and the dissolution of his marriage. Despite this, the documentary aims to show all sides of the artist. Ballesteros has said that Ye himself framed the project as being about mental health . After watching the finished film, Ye texted the director, “That doc was very deep. It was like being dead and looking back on my life” .
Credits: Variety, Los Angeles Times, The Guardian
