Bianca Censori Testifies in Court Regarding Kanye West’s Gutted Malibu Mansion
Bianca Censori, wife of musician Ye (formerly known as Kanye West), appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom on Thursday, March 5, 2026, to provide testimony concerning the controversial renovation of a Malibu mansion originally designed by renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando. The property, purchased by West for $57.3 million in 2021, was subsequently stripped of its interior features, leading to a civil trial brought by contractor Tony Saxon.
Censori’s Testimony and Defense of the Renovation
Censori, dressed in a conservative black skirt and cardigan, answered questions with concise responses. When questioned about claims that West intended to build an “off-the-grid bunker,” she countered that the term was used to describe the aesthetic vision, stating, “This was all concepts. The idea that it changed is not necessarily correct. When he would describe ideas, it was holistically his concept. It was always going to be a residence. That was never changing.”
Her testimony challenged assertions made by Saxon and handyman Jeromy Holding, who alleged that West’s plans for the property were constantly evolving. They previously testified that West requested the removal of all plumbing, wiring, toilets, and connections to city utilities. Holding further claimed West envisioned the home serving various purposes, including an extension of his private school, a bomb shelter, a monastery, a recording studio, and a children’s playground.
The Disputed Renovation and Legal Claims
The lawsuit stems from Saxon’s seven-week tenure working on the house in late 2021. Saxon alleges he was injured on the job and subsequently fired after raising safety concerns. He claims West failed to provide workers’ compensation insurance and is seeking damages for unpaid wages, medical expenses, and emotional distress. Musician Voice reports that Saxon testified Censori was involved in the project as an architectural consultant even while West was still married to Kim Kardashian.
Saxon recounted instances where he sought Censori’s advice on design elements and alleged West reprimanded him for not completing the removal of electrical wiring quickly enough and for objecting to the use of fuel-powered generators indoors due to carbon monoxide risks.
Censori’s Perspective and West’s Vision
Censori described West’s architectural ambitions as a pursuit of a “closed-loop city” concept, suggesting that all projects were viewed through this lens. She also revealed she holds power of attorney for her husband and is authorized to sign documents on his behalf.
In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Censori defended the renovation, stating, “The thing about destruction is it gives life to something else.” She observed that the abandoned house had turn into a habitat for wildlife and that the sea salt had caused the steel to rust, viewing this as a natural and even “beautiful” process. Complex reports Censori saw the expectations to honor the house’s original state as oppressive, arguing that people use space dynamically.
The Sale of the Property and Ongoing Legal Battle
The Ando-designed home was initially listed for $53 million earlier in 2026, but the price was slashed to $39 million just four months later, representing a nearly 32% reduction. AD Middle East notes the property is now considered a “modern ruin.”
West’s legal team argues that Saxon was adequately compensated for his work – receiving $240,000 for less than two months – and is attempting to fraudulently claim employee status rather than that of an independent contractor. Ye is expected to testify before the case is presented to the 12-member jury, which requires nine votes for a verdict.