Why Yeezy Influencers Are Still Wearing Kanye West Merch

Ivan Arroyo immigrated to Dallas, Texas from Mexico when he was 6 years old. For the past 10 years he’s been protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which was launched by the Obama administration in 2012 to protect children of undocumented immigrants from deportation. Since 2008, the 31-year-old has grown an affinity for Kanye West’s style, and it shows. His Instagram, @ivansrevenge, is filled with pictures of him wearing Yeezy pieces from head to toe (Ye follows the account). 

In 2018, Ye wore a red MAGA hat, endorsing President Trump, whose platform was based on preventing immigrants from getting in the U.S. and deporting people like Arroyo who were currently living in the States.

But despite that, Arroyo remains committed to supporting West’s art. However, he struggles with supporting someone whose personal beliefs don’t align with his.

“When he first came out wearing the MAGA hat, it was hard because Donald Trump was one of the main people that was trying to end a program that keeps me here in the States without being deported,” says Arroyo. “So when I saw that Kanye was wearing the MAGA hat, it was more than a red hat. It means you support some of the things that the person says, you know? It’s crazy to say that because if somebody were to see me wearing Yeezy, they would feel like I support some of the things he said as well.” 

Arroyo’s not alone. His Instagram is representative of many accounts that Ye follows, which are dedicated to outfits inspired by him and his contributions to fashion. Despite Ye’s ongoing streak of controversial moments, which include wearing a “White Lives Matter” shirt and spewing antisemitic rants that led to losing partnerships with brands like Adidas and Balenciaga, many Yeezy die-hards Complex interviewed say they won’t leave the brand behind anytime soon. Like the enduring fandom of controversial pop stars like Michael Jackson, it’s not new for a celeb like Ye to to bypass being canceled by his most devoted fans. Especially those who choose to dress just like him.

Ivan Arroyo immigrated to Dallas, Texas from Mexico when he was 6 years old. For the past 10 years he’s been protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which was launched by the Obama administration in 2012 to protect children of undocumented immigrants from deportation. Since 2008, the 31-year-old has grown an affinity for Kanye West’s style, and it shows. His Instagram, @ivansrevenge, is filled with pictures of him wearing Yeezy pieces from head to toe (Ye follows the account). 

In 2018, Ye wore a red MAGA hat, endorsing President Trump, whose platform was based on preventing immigrants from getting in the U.S. and deporting people like Arroyo who were currently living in the States.

But despite that, Arroyo remains committed to supporting West’s art. However, he struggles with supporting someone whose personal beliefs don’t align with his.

“When he first came out wearing the MAGA hat, it was hard because Donald Trump was one of the main people that was trying to end a program that keeps me here in the States without being deported,” says Arroyo. “So when I saw that Kanye was wearing the MAGA hat, it was more than a red hat. It means you support some of the things that the person says, you know? It’s crazy to say that because if somebody were to see me wearing Yeezy, they would feel like I support some of the things he said as well.” 

Arroyo’s not alone. His Instagram is representative of many accounts that Ye follows, which are dedicated to outfits inspired by him and his contributions to fashion. Despite Ye’s ongoing streak of controversial moments, which include wearing a “White Lives Matter” shirt and spewing antisemitic rants that led to losing partnerships with brands like Adidas and Balenciaga, many Yeezy die-hards Complex interviewed say they won’t leave the brand behind anytime soon. Like the enduring fandom of controversial pop stars like Michael Jackson, it’s not new for a celeb like Ye to to bypass being canceled by his most devoted fans. Especially those who choose to dress just like him.