Teen Social Media Star Lil Tay Confirms She's Alive And Not Dead After Hoax
Lil Tay has not, in fact, died.
After a statement posted to her official Instagram page claimed that the teen and her older brother Jason had both passed away, the rapper assured fans that is alive—and the victim of hacking.
"I want to make it clear that my brother and I are safe and alive, but I'm completely heartbroken, and struggling to even find the right words to say," the social media star said in a family statement shared to TMZ Aug. 10. "It's been a very traumatizing 24 hours. All day yesterday, I was bombarded with endless heartbreaking and tearful phone calls from loved ones all while trying to sort out this mess."
She added, "My Instagram account was compromised by a 3rd party and used to spread jarring misinformation and rumors regarding me, to the point that even my name was wrong. My legal name is Tay Tian, not 'Claire Hope.'"
In the original post shared to Instagram Aug. 9, a statement included details on the teen's "sudden and tragic passing."
"We have no words to express the unbearable loss and indescribable pain," the message read. "This outcome was entirely unexpected, and has left us all in shock."
The note went on to claim that Lil Tay's brother Jason also died, adding "an even more unimaginable depth" to their family's grief.
"During this time of immense sorrow, we kindly ask for privacy as we grieve this overwhelming loss," the statement continued, "as the circumstances surrounding Claire and her brother's passing are still under investigation."
Though Lil Tay's management confirmed her death to Variety, both her dad Christopher Hope and her former manager Harry Tsang would not confirm nor deny her passing when contacted by Insider.
"Given the complexities of the current circumstances, I am at a point where I cannot definitively confirm or dismiss the legitimacy of the statement issued by the family," Harry said in a statement. "This situation calls for cautious consideration and respect for the sensitivities involved. My commitment remains focused on delivering updates that are both reliable and appropriately timed."
Lil Tay confirmed to TMZ that she does currently have her social media account back and that the post has since been removed.
E! News has reached out to Tay for additional comment and has not heard back.
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