Kim Kardashian Pays Six Figures for Kanye West’s Pianist to Wake Up Her Kids on Christmas Morning

Kim Kardashian spared no expense this holiday season to create a magical Christmas experience for her children. The 44-year-old SKIMS founder reportedly paid a six-figure sum to hire Philip Cornish, the pianist who has worked with her ex-husband, Kanye West, for years.

Cornish, who has been the music director for Kanye’s Sunday Service since 2019, played serene Christmas carols at Kim’s luxurious Calabasas mansion, gently waking up her kids—North (11), Saint (9), Chicago (6), and Psalm (5)—each morning during the festive season.

A Holiday Tradition Rooted in Kanye’s Vision

The unique tradition began years ago when Kanye, 47, introduced the idea. According to sources close to the family, Kanye believed having a live pianist play holiday tunes was a “creative and peaceful” way to add a touch of magic to his children’s holiday mornings.

“Kanye and Philip Cornish have been close collaborators for years,” an insider told. “Bringing him into their home during the holidays was Kanye’s idea. Initially, Kim wasn’t on board because she felt it wasn’t necessary. But now, everyone looks forward to it, including Philip.”

What started as Kanye’s gesture has since become a beloved family tradition. Cornish reportedly offered to play for free, but Kim insisted on compensating him generously. Over time, his fee has grown to a six-figure flat rate for the holiday season, alongside holiday gifts and gourmet meals prepared by the Kardashian family’s private chef.

Philip Cornish: More Than a Pianist

Cornish’s daily performances have made him a cherished part of the Kardashian household. The Grammy-winning pianist has even begun teaching North West how to play the piano, further deepening his bond with the family.

“Kim has been wonderful to him,” a source shared. “He’s close with the kids and has become part of the family.”

Each morning, the soothing melodies of Cornish’s piano resonate throughout Kim’s 15,000-square-foot home, setting a tranquil tone for the day.

Kim shared a glimpse of the tradition on her Instagram Stories, captioning a video of Cornish playing:
“‘Tis the season!!! 🎄 @Philthekeys comes every morning to wake up my kids by playing the piano. He soothes their little souls and fills our home with beautiful Christmas songs.”

Behind the Tradition: How It All Started

During an episode of the Can We Talk R&B podcast, Cornish revealed how the tradition began. Kanye called him out of the blue at 10 PM one December night and asked him to play Christmas songs for the family.

“I asked, ‘When?’ and he said, ‘Tomorrow.’ I asked, ‘Just tomorrow?’ and he replied, ‘Every day until Christmas.’”

Cornish laughed as he recalled, “With Kanye, there’s never much notice. Everything has to happen immediately, no matter what you’re doing.”

The Kardashian-Jenner Christmas Eve Bash

Although the family’s annual Christmas Eve party was scaled back this year, it didn’t lack elegance. Kim described the gathering as “simpler” and “more intimate” due to ongoing renovations at her home.

Kim shared:
“This year will be a truly intimate family event, which I’m really looking forward to. But of course, we’ll still dress to the nines—that’s what we do.”

Kim gave fans a glimpse of the soirée, posting videos of 818 Tequila bottles (Kendall Jenner’s brand) adorned with red bows and surrounded by candles. She captioned the clip, “Isn’t this cute? We can all take one as a party favor.”

A Festive Touch of Glamour

While the Kardashian-Jenner family might have toned down their party’s size, their holiday traditions remain as extravagant as ever. Kim’s dedication to creating meaningful, magical moments for her children reflects her commitment to family, even amid changes in her personal life.

For Kim Kardashian, Christmas isn’t just a season—it’s an opportunity to craft unforgettable memories filled with love, music, and a touch of Kardashian glamour.