Lil Tay's Account Says She's Been Diagnosed with a Heart Tumor, a Year After Her Death Hoax

Mar. 15, 2025

Lil Tay.Photo:X

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Lil Tayhas the internet asking questions once again.

The internet personality — whose real name is Claire Tian — uploaded a cryptic post to her social media on Sept. 11 that has left her followers wondering what happened.

Tay initially sparked concern when her verifiedInstagram accountshared a post, writing, “Please pray for Tay. We will be updating you as more information becomes available.”

The next day,another postwas uploaded to her Instagram channel and verified X (formerly known as Twitter) account, reading, “Tay is currently in the ICU in serious condition,” alongside an image of a hospital and a sign with an arrow that points to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

A third update was shared three hours later on her accounts, saying that “Tay has been diagnosed with a life threatening heart tumor.” The message included a video of what appears to be an image of a heart on a monitor.

Her attorney Kenneth Kenneth L. Kraus declined to comment about her current health.

Lil Tay previously made headlines in August 2023 as she was involved in a death hoax. At the time, a statement shared on her Instagram claimed she and her half-brother Jason Tian had died. However, the statement was later removed and she returned to the spotlight the following month with her song “Sucker 4 Green.”

Here’s what to know about Lil Tay, including her latest social media mystery.

Who is Lil Tay?

Lil Tay.X

In 2018, Tay rose to fame for her raps and sensationalized behavior, like yelling expletives and showing off her designer purchases. During this time, she collaborated with other internet personalities likeBhad Bhabie,Jake PaulandDiplo.

Soon after she skyrocketed to online fame, Tay suddenly disappeared from the Internet and went silent on social media less than four months after her first post. Her lastInstagramupload was a tribute to the late rapperXXXTentacionafter his death in June 2018.

What was Lil Tay’s death hoax in 2023?

Tay shocked fans in August 2023 when astatement was sharedon her Instagram that claimed she had died along with her older half-brother, Jason Tian. At the time,it was reported she was 14 years old.

“It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of our beloved Claire’s sudden and tragic passing,” the statement 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.”

However, Tay’s father and a lawyer representing her mother were unable to confirm the news of her death to PEOPLE despite the rapper’s managementconfirming it toVariety. The Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner also had no record of the alleged death.

The Instagram statement announcing Tay’s death was removed from the account one day after it was uploaded. Family members and management had various responses to PEOPLE when asked for comment on the situation.

“This situation calls for cautious consideration and respect for the sensitivities involved,” Tsang added.

One month after the death statement was posted on Instagram, Tayannounced her return to social mediawith the release of a music video for her new song “Sucker 4 Green" in September 2023. “B—– THOUGHT THE SHOW WAS OVER,” the rapper wrote alongside the video on Instagram.

Why is Lil Tay in the hospital now?

Image of the hospital posted on Lil Tay’s X account (formerly Twitter).X

Tay’s Instagram and X account (formerly Twitter) shared a series of posts on Sept. 11 and Sept. 12 that raised concern online. The posts were uploaded a few hours apart to update her followers.

“Please pray for tay. We will be updating you as more information becomes available,“read the first post. A few hours later,another postwas uploaded to the account, noting that Tay was in the ICU “in serious condition.” The post included an image of a hospital and a sign with an arrow that points to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

A third post was shared a few hours after, stating, that Tay had been “diagnosed with a life threatening heart tumor,” and asked fans for their “love and prayers.” The post also included an X-ray video of what appears to be her heart.

On Sept. 13,another updatewas shared to Tay’s account. “Tay is about to undergo major open-heart surgery to remove her heart tumor. This is a critical procedure, we ask for your prayers for a successful operation,” it read.

source: people.com