Kanye West and Bianca Censori’s appearance at the 2025 Grammy Awards ignited a controversy surrounding Censori’s revealing attire and whether it violated the ceremony’s dress code. Censori’s nearly nude ensemble, a sheer dress that left little to the imagination, immediately sparked outrage and questions regarding CBS’s broadcast standards.
Censori’s Outfit and the Public Outcry
On February 2nd, West and Censori arrived at the Grammys, marking West’s first red carpet appearance at the event in a decade. Censori initially wore a large fur coat, which she dramatically removed to reveal the sheer dress underneath. This act, seemingly planned to mimic the album cover of West’s Vulture 1, showcased a level of nudity rarely seen at such a high-profile event.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(695×0:697×2)/kanye-west-bianca-censori-2025-grammys-020225-1-4568cf6023864396b3f800b602dabe35.jpg)
The couple left the ceremony shortly after their red carpet appearance, with West reportedly choosing to leave of his own accord rather than being ejected. However, the images of Censori’s outfit quickly circulated, prompting widespread criticism and concern, particularly regarding the potential impact on younger viewers who may have been watching. A photo published by the Daily Mail showed a child standing near the red carpet, seemingly observing Censori.
CBS Wardrobe Guidelines and Potential Violations
A 2013 Deadline article outlining CBS’s “Standard and Practice Wardrobe Advisory” raised questions about whether Censori’s attire breached the network’s guidelines. The document explicitly states that “buttocks and female breasts” must be “adequately covered” and prohibits see-through clothing that could expose certain body parts. Additionally, it specifies that the “genital region” must be sufficiently covered and deems thong costumes and exposed under-curves of the breasts as “problematic.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(665×0:667×2)/bianca-censori-grammys-2325-f4c6bea8e5fc4819942558db3858ce74.jpg)
While it remains unclear if these guidelines are still in effect, Censori’s outfit appears to violate several of the stated prohibitions. The advisory explicitly states that “Obscenity or partially seen obscenity on wardrobe is unacceptable for broadcast.” This raises questions about whether CBS was aware of Censori’s planned attire and whether any preventative measures were taken.
Legal and Regulatory Considerations
Beyond CBS’s internal guidelines, Censori’s near-nudity could potentially have infringed upon broader legal and regulatory standards. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) prohibits obscene content on broadcast television, and California law defines indecent exposure as intentionally exposing oneself in a way that could offend or annoy others. While no charges have been filed, the incident highlights the complex intersection of artistic expression, public decency, and broadcast regulations.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(665×0:667×2)/bianca-censori-grammys2-2325-3244b4c0669346aba5888a5dba9a082b.jpg)
The controversy surrounding Bianca Censori’s Grammys outfit remains unresolved. Neither the Recording Academy, CBS, nor representatives for West and Censori have issued official statements addressing the incident. The lack of clarity regarding the current dress code and the potential legal ramifications leaves many questions unanswered. However, the incident has undoubtedly reignited the debate surrounding appropriate attire at public events and the responsibility of broadcasters to uphold standards of decency.
