Charlie Kirk’s Shocking Cameo in Kanye West’s ‘In Whose Name?’ Doc Steals the Spotlight

Published 09/19/2025, 2:53 AM EDT

After six years and thousands of hours of footage, Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, much-anticipated documentary, In Whose Name? Finally hit the screen on September 19, 2025. The film offers an unprecedented, unfiltered look at one of the most tumultuous periods in the artist's life, from his public controversies to his personal struggles. Directed by first-time filmmaker Nico Ballesteros, the documentary has already stirred controversy and speculation with its raw, unauthorized access to the star. The film’s release is poised to be an event in itself, with one of the most surprising appearances being that of the late Charlie Kirk.

A surprising and poignant appearance has been kept in the final cut, making the film a must-watch on the viewer’s list.

Charlie Kirk makes a subsequent appearance in In Whose Name?

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One of the most surprising and impactful moments in In Whose Name? is the inclusion of Charlie Kirk, who was tragically killed on September 10. The conservative commentator's appearance alongside Ye and Candace Owens was filmed in April 2018. During the scene, Kirk remains silent as Ye and Owens discuss culture and politics, with Owens stating that "culture will always be upstream from politics."

Director Nico Ballesteros decided to keep the footage to show how the documentary is changing with history. The director acknowledged that some individuals featured in the film are no longer alive. While Owens reappears later during the bit that focuses on a controversial viewpoint, the documentary chooses to focus on Ye's response to the backlash rather than the scandal itself, highlighting the loss of lucrative deals with companies such as GAP and Adidas.

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The film also features a constellation of stars from the music and entertainment worlds.

Other celebrities who are making an appearance in In Whose Name?

The documentary provides a rare look at Ye's life and includes footage featuring a number of other celebrities. The film shows clips of Lady Gaga, Drake, Chris Rock, and Justin Bieber, offering a glimpse into Ye's successful career before his controversial fall from grace. Viewers will also see a moment when Pharrell Williams warned Ye about messing up his life and career in 2018, cautioning him that one bad side could ruin everything.

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Additionally, the film captures a tense confrontation between Ye and SNL star Michael Che after a 2018 performance. Another highlight includes a scene where Kris Jenner pleads with Ye about taking his medication. Perhaps the most bizarre encounter features a conversation between Ye and Elon Musk, where the two billionaires share their experiences with highly publicized breakups.

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Are you ready to discover the secrets and surprises in the long-awaited Ye documentary? Let us know in the comments below.

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Soma Mitra

353 articles

Soma is a journalist at Netflix Junkie. With a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication, she brings production experience from documentary films like Chandua: Stories on Fabric. Covering the true crime and docu-drama beat, she turns psychological thrillers into sharp, audience-aware storytelling.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

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