Lil Tay is reportedly alive, claims Instagram was hacked
Canadian rapper Lil Tay is allegedly alive, reports said.
In a statement provided to TMZ, the 14-year-old rapper and her brother—who was also said to be dead—are said to be “safe and alive,” but the former is left traumatized by the turn of events.
“I’m completely heartbroken, and struggling to even find the right words to say. 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,” the statement read.
"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,’” it continued.
The teen's “death” was announced on her verified Instagram account on Thursday by an unnamed family member. The statement also said that the family was “all in shock.”
However, when Insider reached out to Lil Tay’s family and management, they would not confirm nor deny her death.
Her former manager Harry Tsang also told the outlet that the “situation calls for cautious consideration and respect.”
"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 told Insider.
He added: “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.”
The media outlet also added that local authorities in Los Angeles and Vancouver have not found any information about the death of anyone named 'Claire Hope.'
The post announcing the teen's death has been taken down from her Instagram account.
Lil Tay rose to fame at the early age of 9. She is known for her controversial videos and songs that showed off her lavish lifestyle.