Kanye West Banned from Hope for Haiti Telethon

With everybody from Jay-Z to U2 slated to perform at the George Clooney-helmed “Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief,” there are rumors that one high-profile artist will not be allowed to participate: Kanye West.

Reports are saying that George Clooney himself would not allow West to partake in the fundraiser, that was broadcast on MTV January, 22. Gawker has also reported that some are going out of their way to make sure that West doesn’t make an unwanted appearance.

“After what he said on the [Hurricane] Katrina telethon and the way he behaved at the MTV Video Music Awards, everyone agrees it's just best that he does not participate,” said a producer. “Kanye has to make everything about himself. He will do anything to steal the spotlight, and, well, this night it's just not about him.”

Artists scheduled to perform during “Hope for Haiti Now” include Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, Sting and Wyclef in New York, with Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder and Taylor Swift will be in Los Angeles, and Beyoncé and Coldplay will take the stage in London, in addition to Jay-Z, Rihanna and U2. George Clooney, who helped organize the event with MTV Networks, will host the benefit show in Los Angeles, with Wyclef Jean and CNN's Anderson Cooper joining in from New York and Haiti, respectively. All donations will benefit Oxfam America, Partners in Health, Red Cross, UNICEF and Wyclef's Yélé Haiti foundation. The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund and United Nations World Food Programme will also benefit from the telethon's efforts, as aid will be split evenly among each organization's relief programs for the ravaged island.