Meta has confirmed that Lil Tay’s Instagram account was hacked last week.
On Wednesday, a shocking statement shared to the social media rapper’s account claimed she and her brother Jason Tian had both died.
But shortly afterwards, the 14-year-old revealed she and Jason are both “safe and alive”, and explained that her account had been hacked.
She told TMZ: “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 traumatising 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.”
“My Instagram account was compromised by a third party and used to spread jarring misinformation and rumours regarding me, to the point that even my name was wrong. My legal name is Tay Tian, not ‘Claire Hope’.”
Lil Tay also said she has since regained control of her Instagram, and the fake statement has been removed.
Meta is backing up her statement, with a spokesperson confirming to TMZ that they worked with Tay to get her account back after it was hacked.
The fake statement that appeared on her Instagram said: “It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of our beloved Claire’s sudden and tragic passing. We have no words to express the unbearable loss and indescribable pain.
“This outcome was entirely unexpected, and has left us all in shock. Her brother’s passing adds an even more unimaginable depth to our grief.”
“During this time of immense sorrow, we kindly ask for privacy as we grieve this overwhelming loss, as the circumstances surrounding Claire and her brother’s passing are still under investigation.”
“Claire will forever remain in our hearts, her absence leaving an irreplaceable void that will be felt by all who knew and loved her.”
Lil Tay shot to viral fame when she was just 9-years-old as the self-proclaimed “youngest flexer of the century”.
She became known for her expletive-filled Instagram videos depicting a lavish hip-hop lifestyle, but mysteriously disappeared from the internet back in 2018.
In recent years, she has reportedly been at the centre of a custody battle between her parents.
