Lil Tay was pronounced dead on social media yesterday, and while the post has gone viral, her father and manager refused to issue any statement to confirm nor deny the validity of the announcement.
Fans became suspicious and worried about the situation, nothing that there might be some conspiracy going on behind the scenes, like a cover-up of a crime.
However, according to more recent reports, Lil Tay is not dead, but very much alive. The post announcing her death was taken down, and replaced with a new statement from the rapper herself.
"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," Lil Tay told TMZ.
"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."
Perhaps the reason why her father and manager gave cryptic statements about the death was that it was all just a hoax.
"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," Lil Tay continued. "My legal name is Tay Tian, not 'Claire Hope'."
Lil Tay's Death: Fake News
The news of Lil Tay's sudden "death" began due to a post announcing her "sudden and tragic" death via Instagram, which people assumed was posted by her own family.
"It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of our beloved Claire's sudden and tragic passing," it read. "We have no words to express the unbearable loss and indescribable pain. This outcome was entirely unexpected, and has left us all in shock."
Aside from Lil Tay's supposed death, the fake statement also noted that the rapper's brother had died too, which was later debunked by Lil Tay herself.
READ MORE: Lil Tay Pronounced Dead at 14, But Dad Won't Confirm? Fans Think Something 'Fishy' Going On
Fans Bewildered, Speculating on Lil Tay's Death
Following the fake announcement, Lil Tay's manager refused to confirm nor deny the news, which bewildered fans, launching them into speculation.
Now that everything has been cleared up, fans have yet again took to Twitter to make fun of the situation.
"It was all a publicity stunt," a netizen wrote.
"They're using clout chasing per usual."
"2023 marketing," another added.
READ ALSO: Lil Tay Cryptic Instagram Post Before Suspicious Death Revisited
