Lil Tay’s Team Denies Claims of Faking Heart Tumor Diagnosis
3 min read
Image via IG@LilTaybepoppin
Internet sensation Lil Tay recently underwent heart surgery following her social media accounts’ shocking announcement that she had a “life-threatening” heart tumor. However, the news has been met with skepticism by some online, leading her social media team to push back against accusations that the diagnosis and subsequent surgery were part of a publicity stunt.
The 17-year-old influencer sparked concern among her fans when, in September, her social media accounts shared “devastating news” about her health. Posts revealed that Lil Tay had been diagnosed with a heart tumor, accompanied by ultrasound images and hospital photos. On September 14, her Instagram shared a video showing her in a hospital bed, reportedly after undergoing open-heart surgery.
Lil Tay is still in the ICU. She is in severe pain due to her chest tube and is unconscious most of the time. Her nurses, mother Angela, and brother Jason have been caring for her. Although there isn’t much space, Tay’s mom has stayed by her side 24/7, sleeping in a small sofa… pic.twitter.com/Y2Tm8a5eYc
— Lil Tay (@LilTaybepoppin) September 16, 2024
According to her social media team, Lil Tay is currently recovering from the surgery. However, given a previous incident in 2023, when her Instagram account falsely claimed she had died, many netizens are doubtful of the authenticity of her current health crisis. Last year’s hoax was later attributed to her estranged father, who Lil Tay accused of manipulating the situation for personal gain. This history has made the public wary, with some suggesting that the heart tumor diagnosis could be another attempt to gain attention.
On September 16, 2024, Lil Tay’s official account on X (formerly Twitter) addressed these accusations head-on. The statement emphasized that the focus has always been on her health, not fame or money, and attributed the ongoing skepticism to the damage caused by the previous hoax. “Tay’s health has always been our priority, not popularity or money. The false Death Hoax, started by her misogynistic father to ruin her reputation, is now being projected onto her,” the statement read.
In response to specific allegations that the heart tumor announcement was a PR move to boost sales for her upcoming single, “Growing Up,” Lil Tay’s team refuted the claims, arguing that if publicity were their primary goal, she wouldn’t have remained inactive online for over a year. “The accusations that Tay’s health crisis is for publicity are false and disgusting,” her team stated. “If publicity or money were our goal, she would not have gone MIA for over a year. Instead, she would have posted every day to her millions of fans, and done PR runs like every other celebrity and dropped music every month.”
The accusations that Tay’s health crisis is for publicity are false and disgusting. If publicity or money were our goal, she would not have gone MIA for over a year. Instead, she would have posted everyday to her millions of fans, and done PR runs like every other celebrity and… https://t.co/mWw7MNBm2s
— Lil Tay (@LilTaybepoppin) September 16, 2024Advertisement
Lil Tay’s team also called out the skepticism as a form of “victim blaming,” particularly harmful while she is in the ICU. They insisted that the ongoing doubts stem from the previous death hoax, which her father orchestrated, thereby damaging her reputation. “This is blatant victim blaming and rooted in misogyny. Tay deserves support, not harmful accusations,” the post declared.
Despite the backlash, Lil Tay’s social media accounts have continued to share updates from the ICU, including images showing her recovery from the heart surgery. Many fans have expressed concern for her well-being, offering support amidst the storm of accusations.
The controversy surrounding Lil Tay’s health comes in the wake of her complex history of online scandals. This time, however, her team is adamant that the situation is genuine and not a mere attempt at garnering publicity. Whether the public will accept this explanation remains uncertain, but for now, Lil Tay and her supporters are focused on her recovery and well-being.
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
