Kanye West Wasn’t Kicked Out of 2025 Grammys — but There Was Also No Seat for Him Inside the Show (Exclusive)

Kanye West‘s appearance at the 2025 Grammys left viewers with some questions.

Raj Kapoor, the Grammys executive producer, exclusively told PEOPLE about West’s unexpected appearance with his wife Bianca Censori on the 2025 Grammys red carpet. PEOPLE was able to confirm the night of that West was not kicked out. He was nominated and walked the red carpet, but then got in his car and left.

Kapoor said, “From what I understand, they were there for the red carpet” because West, 47, was nominated this year for best rap song for “Carnival” from his Vultures 1 album.

“I’m not sure if he was at Pre-Tel [a special pre-telecast presentation where most of the awards were handed out], which is at the Peacock Theater before the main show. But that award was definitely in Pre-Tel.”

The executive producer also shared how the seating inside the Crypto.com Arena works at music’s biggest night and who gets seated up front, while confirming that West didn’t have a seat reserved.

“If they were invited guests because we [would] know everybody who’s seated at the VIP tables that we have in front,” he explained. “We know each person who’s coming because every table is numbered. And so our director has to know where those artists are for award categories.”

Kapoor confirmed that they did not have a seat. “They didn’t have a nomination on the show and Kanye wasn’t presenting. He was not performing either, which is mostly what those seats are.”

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The 2025 Grammy Awards were reimagined this year to pay tribute to those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.

The Recording Academy said in a statement in January that the awards show would “carry a renewed sense of purpose: raising additional funds to support wildfire relief efforts and honoring the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours.”

Kapoor mentions the great efforts the Recording Academy and MusiCares made with their Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort to Support Music Professionals fund.

“One of the highlights for sure was how we addressed the L.A. fires and the charitable aspect of our show,” he said. “We really shone a light on this city and the devastation that happened.”

The Recording Academy and MusiCares launched the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort ahead of the show, raising $24 million for charitable activities, with almost $9 million being raised on Sunday alone.

The Grammys kicked off with a performance of “I Love L.A.” by John Legend, Dawes, Brad Paisley, Brittany Howard, Sheryl Crow and St. Vincent. Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars sang “California Dreamin'” later in the show.