Chance the Rapper Reflects on Viral Carnival Clip: 'Nobody Knew That Me and My Wife Were Separated'

Chance the Rapper concedes that he was “tripping” when he was seen in a viral clip of him dancing with a woman at Carnival circa 2023, noting that the world was unaware of his separation from ex-wife Kirsten Corley at the time.

During a recent chat on the New Rory & Mal podcast, Chance, whose new album Star Line is out Friday, was asked about the viral moment. As Chance tells it, his “tripping” can serve as a teaching moment for others.

In April of last year, Chance and Kirsten, who share two children together, confirmed their split in a joint statement shared to Instagram.

“After a period of separation, the two of us have arrived at the decision to part ways,” the couple said at the time. “We came to this decision amicably and with gratitude for the time we spent together. God has blessed us with two beautiful daughters who we will continue to raise together. We kindly ask for privacy and respect as we navigate this transition. Thank you.”

In his conversation with Rory and Mal this week, Chance said the clip marked an example of him “putting our business out there.” While he made sure to point out that he was celebrating his 30th birthday at the time and that the level of “lit” observed in the footage is par for the course at Carnival, Chance also said he was “glad when that shit was over,” as everyone from family members to press outlets were “blowing up” his phone.

“Everybody was lit,” he said. “That was probably the cleanest whine I caught. Y’all are lucky they censored the other whines I was catching. But the truth is, like I said, don’t have anybody looking stupid. I went out there for fun. I think, at the end of the day, I do wish that that shit didn’t happen that way and I wish that I was protective of her. But I think it’s, you know, it’s in the past. That’s the reality.”

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