Lil Tay, Social Media Star, Has Passed Away: Lil Tay, the foul-mouthed child rapper who rose to fame on Instagram in 2018, has passed away unexpectedly. She was 16 years old.
A statement from Lil Tay’s family confirmed her death on Wednesday. “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.”
Lil Tay, whose real name was Claire Hope, first gained attention on Instagram in 2018 for her videos of herself rapping and flashing stacks of cash. She quickly became a viral sensation, with her videos amassing millions of views. However, her fame was short-lived. In 2018, it was revealed that Lil Tay’s mother had been scripting her videos and setting up the scenarios she filmed.
Lil Tay’s parents later went into a custody battle, and she eventually went to live with her father.
In recent years, Lil Tay had largely disappeared from the public eye. However, her social media accounts remained active, and this week, an ominous message was posted to her Instagram account. The message read, “I’m tired.”
The circumstances surrounding Lil Tay’s death are still under investigation. Her family has asked for privacy as they grieve her loss.