Kanye West’s Sunday service loses charity status as Kim Kardashian signs major TV deal with Disney

Kanye West's Sunday Service gospel choir has reportedly lost its charity status.

The 47-year-old rapper, who has faced lawsuits from former staff and was dropped by several major brands following his anti-Semitic remarks, has now been impacted by a ruling due to the group's failure to file tax returns for three years. 

According to the IRS website, the gospel choir's tax-exempt status was revoked on May 15 for not submitting a Form 990-series return or notice for three consecutive years, as reported by The US Sun.

The Sunday Service choir was established by Kim Kardashian's ex-husband in 2019. Initially, the group was granted federal income tax exemption as a 501(c)(3) organization, which includes religious, educational, charitable, scientific, and other types of nonprofit groups. As of August 12, the revocation of their charity status remains in effect.

When Kanye first launched Sunday Service, the gospel choir performed with him every weekend. Their first public appearance was at Coachella in 2019, and they later collaborated with Pastor Joel Osteen at Lakewood Church in Houston that November. Although tickets for the event were free, some were resold online for up to $500.

Kanye has also faced legal troubles with some Sunday Service members and staff, who filed class action lawsuits against him in 2020 for alleged mistreatment. More than 500 performers and about 300 crew members claimed that Kanye, who had transitioned into fashion design, violated California labor laws by underpaying them and denying them food and restroom breaks. 

One performer, Michael Pearson, alleged he was paid a flat day rate of $250 without breaks, with some performers standing all day or sitting on the floor and having to walk home when transport wasn't provided.

In June, it was reported that Kanye settled with the hundreds of Sunday Service performers and staff for $1.35 million, though they had sought more than $10.5 million in damages.

Meanwhile, Kim Kardashian has signed a first-look deal with Disney's 20th Television to develop scripted shows. 

The reality TV star, 43, joined after starring in the latest season of FX’s "American Horror Story" and filming the upcoming Hulu legal drama "All’s Fair," both produced by Ryan Murphy. 

As part of her first-look deal, Kim will collaborate with her friend La La Anthony, 42, and "Black-ish" creator Kenya Barris, 50, on a show based on La La’s best-selling book "The Love Playbook: Rules for Love, Sex, and Happiness." 

The show, titled "Group Chat," is already in development, with Kenya reportedly creating the series and La La set to star. Kim expressed her excitement about the project, stating, "'I’m incredibly interested in telling stories that are personal, complicated, relevant, from my own experiences and those familiar to me.”