Lil Tay Returns to IG With Cryptic Accusation Against ‘Abusive, Racist’ Father
Social media personality Lil Tay caused a controversy in mid-August. On August 9, the teen rapper’s Instagram account posted what
Ivy Griffith
Social media personality Lil Tay caused a controversy in mid-August. On August 9, the teen rapper’s Instagram account posted what appeared to be a death announcement.
After 24 hours of fans mourning on social media, representatives for the influencer said that she was in fact not dead. The entire situation has been confusing, leading fans to wonder what’s going on behind closed doors. Now, Lil Tay’s social media account appears to be active again. And it’s posting another whopper of a post. This time, full of accusations against the influencer’s father.
Tay Is Dead: Or Is She?
False death announcement – Lil Tay’s Instagram account
In 2018 rapper Lil Tay, whose real name is either Tay Tian or Claire Hope, depending on which parent you ask, went viral for flashing wads of cash. In videos that quickly picked up steam online, the young teen rode in fancy cars and toured elaborately decorated mansions.
She was instantly a controversial figure. Some felt that she was behaving inappropriately for a young teen. Others enjoyed her devil-may-care approach to content creation. But the real controversy would come 5 years after her initial rise, in August of 2023. On August 9, 2023, Lil Tay’s Instagram account posted “It is with a heavy heart,” they were announcing the “devastating news” of “Claire Hope’s sudden and tragic passing.” The account added that it was an “unbearable loss” and “indescribable pain.” The post went on to reference the simultaneous death of her brother, which they claimed, “adds an even more unimaginable depth to our grief.” The post then asked fans for privacy as the family grieved.
However, on August 10, representatives for Tay’s mother, Angela Tian, told TMZ that her daughter was alive and well. In a statement to TMZ, the family wrote, “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. 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.”
Tay 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’.”
Lil Tay Appears To Return To IG With Accusation Against Her Father
At the time, Lil Tay thanked Meta for helping her get her account back. And, at the time, the fake death announcement was removed. People were concerned that it took 24 hours for the family to clarify that Tay was still alive. And the mystery around her name, and the reason for the announcement in the first place, remained.
Now, it appears that someone – perhaps Lil Tay – is active again on the Instagram account. The death announcement is now visible again, although it contains a notification from Meta that it contains false information. In her Instagram stories, the account now levels serious accusations at Tay’s father, Christopher J. Hope.
The Story claims, “My abusive racist misogynistic woman beating father Christopher J Hope faked my death.” There is no further information included in the post. And no other posts or statements have been made about the subject. It’s unclear if Tay herself posted the Story, or if the account has been compromised again. But it’s the first sign of life from the controversial account in over a month.
Has Tay’s Father Abused Her?
Fans have long worried about the stress of fame on Tay’s young mind. Additionally, rumors have flown online that she has been heavily abused by her father. In 2021, Tay’s brother Jason Tian made a GoFundMe titled “Save Tay from a Life of Abuse.” In the post, Jason wrote, “Tay is in desperate need of funds to support her fight against her abusive father, as a result of this situation she has been in a state of depression.” But this marks the first time an accusation has come directly from Tay’s social media. Legally, Tay’s mother Angela retains “sole day-to-day and final decision-making powers and responsibilities in the best interests of Tay Tian” according to USA Today. Jason claims that Angela has exhausted her resources fighting to protect Tay.
What Tay’s relationship is with her father remains internet speculation and rumor. But the new Instagram Story certainly adds another layer to the mystery that is Lil Tay’s celebrity life. Tay’s brother claims that her silence on social media is due to Hope, and posted images he says show his sister’s abuse at her father’s hands. On the GoFundMe, Jason included text messages and a lengthy description of the abuses he says his sister has endured. But with ample rumor and little substance, it’s hard to tell exactly what’s happening in Tay’s life.
This is a developing story.