Bianca Censori made a striking departure from her typical fashion statements on Thursday, arriving at a Los Angeles courthouse in an unusually modest ensemble to testify in a civil lawsuit against her husband, the controversial rapper and designer Kanye West. The 31-year-old Australian model and architect, renowned for her daring and often barely-there outfits, opted for a conservative look that turned heads for its simplicity rather than its audacity.
A Conservative Courtroom Transformation
Censori, who famously appeared nearly nude at the 2025 Grammy Awards, chose a black cardigan paired with a long skirt for her court appearance. Her hair was swept back into a tight bun, and she wore spectacles, completing an understated look that contrasted sharply with her usual glamorous style. Only her towering heels offered a subtle nod to her fashion-forward persona, as she entered the Los Angeles Superior Court shortly after the plaintiff, Tony Saxon, was seen arriving.
The Lawsuit: Unpaid Wages and Hazardous Conditions
The civil lawsuit, filed by Saxon, centers on allegations of unpaid wages, hazardous working conditions, and wrongful termination. Saxon was hired in September 2021 as a project manager to renovate a Malibu mansion that West had purchased for over $57 million. According to legal documents, Saxon claims he provided multiple services, including project management, property caretaking, and security, often working up to 16 hours a day and sometimes sleeping on the ground to meet deadlines.
Saxon alleges that conflicts arose two months into the project when West made a series of unconventional demands. These included demolishing marble bathrooms, removing all plumbing, windows, and electrical equipment, and proposing to move large generators inside the house, which Saxon warned would create a major fire hazard. In response, Saxon claims West threatened him, stating he would be considered "an enemy" if he did not fulfill the vision.
West's Alleged Threats and Saxon's Termination
In his legal filing, Saxon recounts that West told him, "If you don't do what I say, you're not going to work for me, I'm not gonna be your friend anymore and you'll just see me on TV." When Saxon replied that he did not watch TV, he alleges he was fired on the spot and told to "get the hell out" of the property. Saxon claims West only paid him for one week of work and is now suing for over $1 million in unpaid wages and damages, citing numerous labor code violations.
The lawsuit reveals West's vision for the mansion was to transform it into "a bomb shelter from the 1910s" or a "Bat Cave" where he could "hide from the Clintons and the Kardashians." Saxon initially believed the project was more of an "art project" but later realized West intended to actually reside there, with specifications including no electricity, only plants, candles, and battery lights, and an open, dark design.
West's Defense and the Mansion's Current State
In a November 2023 filing, West denied all accusations and requested the lawsuit be dismissed. His lawyers argued that he was not responsible for the damages Saxon claimed and that Saxon performed tasks without West's knowledge. However, recent photos from 2024 show the Malibu mansion in disrepair, with floor-to-ceiling windows removed, leaving the structure exposed to the elements. The interior appears crumbling, and metal railings are rusting due to salt air, wind, and water exposure.
Neighbors told TMZ in 2024 that the mansion was "left to rot" and they had not seen anyone around for months. As West and Censori prepare to testify, the case highlights not only the legal dispute but also the eccentricities of West's creative vision and the stark contrast in Censori's public persona, from risqué red carpet appearances to a subdued courtroom demeanor.
