Lil Tay, the controversial child influencer who rose to fame in 2018 for her viral videos of flaunting cash and cars, was reported to be dead on August 9, 2023.
A post on her Instagram account, which has over 2.5 million followers, claimed that she and her older brother Jason had passed away.
The post read: “Rest in peace Lil Tay and Jason Tian. We will miss you forever.You both were such beautiful souls and touched many lives. You both had so much potential and talent. You both were gone too soon. We love you.”
The post sparked an outpouring of condolences and tributes from fans and celebrities, who expressed their shock and sadness over the news. However, the post also raised suspicions and doubts from some people, who questioned the authenticity and source of the information.
Lil Tay’s death hoax is exposed as a prank
The next day, Lil Tay herself confirmed that she and her brother were alive and well, and that her Instagram account had been hacked by a third party who used it to spread false rumors.
She told TMZ that she was “completely heartbroken” and “struggling to even find the right words to say” after the hoax.
She also said that she had been working with Meta, the company that owns Instagram, to regain control of her account and remove the fake post.
A spokesperson for Meta confirmed that they had indeed helped Lil Tay recover her account.
Lil Tay apologized to her fans for the confusion and distress caused by the hoax and thanked them for their support and love.
She also said that she hoped to find out who was behind the prank and hold them accountable.
Lil Tay’s custody battle is resolved in her favor
Lil Tay’s death hoax came amid a long-running custody battle between her parents, Angela Tian and Christopher Hope, who had different visions for her career and future.
Tian, who was Lil Tay’s manager and main supporter, wanted her to continue making online content and pursue her dreams of becoming a rapper.
Hope, on the other hand, wanted her to stop making videos, return to Vancouver, and follow a more traditional path of education and entertainment.
In 2018, Hope obtained a court order that required Lil Tay to leave Los Angeles, where she was living with Tian, and move back to Vancouver with him. He also banned her from making any online content without his consent. This effectively put an end to Lil Tay’s social media presence and fame.
However, on August 13, 2023, Tian announced that she had won the custody battle and obtained several orders that would allow Lil Tay to resume her career on her own terms. According to Tian’s lawyers, Hope was ordered to pay about $275,000 in retroactive child support, as well as ongoing monthly child support and expenses.
Tian also gained sole decision-making power and authority to sign contracts for Lil Tay. She also got permission to relocate with Lil Tay outside of Vancouver, if she chooses. Tian said that this was a huge win for her and her daughter, who had been suffering from severe depression due to the custody dispute.
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Conclusion
Lil Tay is a child influencer who became famous in 2018 for her videos of boasting about her wealth and lifestyle.
She was reported to be dead on August 9, 2023, but it turned out to be a hoax perpetrated by someone who hacked her Instagram account.
She is now planning to make a comeback on social media and pursue her career as a rapper.
