"He wants to be like Kanye so bad”: Kai Cenat faces backlash online after being called “performative” at Paris Fashion Week

The attention this week trailed Kai Cenat to Paris, although not every one of it was complimentary. The appearance of the Twitch star in Paris Men fashion week 2026 provoked a viral debate that immediately left fashion and moved to the issue of genuineness. A brief clip of Cenat holding a Vivet journal spread quickly over the web attracting millions of views and even more incisive opinions.

What should have been a fashion-forward moment instead became a social media flashpoint. Some viewers praised the 24-year-old for pushing his clothing brand onto a global stage. Others accused him of turning creativity into performance, arguing that the journal felt more symbolic than sincere. Within hours, the narrative had shifted from fashion to intent.

Why Kai Cenat’s Vivet journal moment divided the internet

The now-viral clip showed Cenat dressed in black, carrying a Vivet journal and briefly sharing design concepts tied to his brand. The visual alone was enough to ignite debate. One user wrote, "At first I thought it was genuine but it’s getting performative" while another added, "No empty pages or pen he just walking around with it being performative ��". The criticism kept coming.

"He just carrying it to be carrying it at this point. Ain’t no space in there ��" one comment read, followed by "He’s sharing too much I’d never share my journal. Looks performative".

The pushback did not stop there. Some viewers took the critique further, comparing Cenat’s fashion pivot to Kanye West’s creative persona. "He wants to be like Kanye so bad. These designs are bad." one user claimed, while another said, "Kai def on some Kanye West sh*t".



Still, Cenat showed no signs of backing away from the spotlight. In a separate Paris Fashion Week interview, he struck a reflective tone when asked about his mindset. "(Interviewer asks, 'If your life was a biopic, who would play you?') Me. (Interviewer asks, 'What's your favorite book?') It's probably The Four Agreements all around. But first one, probably Atomic Habits. (Interviewer asks, 'What's something that you're currently obsessed with?') Living. Just, like, living in real life."

The moment captures where Kai Cenat stands today. Hugely influential. Constantly watched. And navigating the fine line between expression and perception in real time.