UPDATE: Rapper and social media influencer Lil Tay has confirmed she's alive over 24 hours after an Instagram post on her official account claimed both she and her brother Jason Tian had 'unexpectedly' died.
The 14-year-old has claimed that her Instagram account was 'hacked.'
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"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," Lil Tay told TMZ today.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jason Tian's family confirmed that he died at the age of 21 along with rapper sister Lil Tay who died at 14 years old. The aspiring rapper, also known by his rap alias Rycie, was hailed as the creative force behind his young sister's rise to online fame, according to Daily Mail.
On Wednesday, August 9, the controversial teenager's family took to Instagram to announce the news of her "tragic" death and revealed that her Jason has also died. "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," read the family's statement online.
How did Lil Tay's brother Jason Tian allegedly die?
The cause or circumstances of the death of the siblings have not yet been disclosed but an investigation into their sudden death is ongoing. "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," continued their family's statement.
"During this time of immense sorrow, we kindly ask for privacy as we grieve this overwhelming loss, as the circumstances of Clair 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," the family concluded.
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Was Lil Tay and Jason Tian's death announcement a hoax?
Though the family announced the shocking news on Instagram, there is speculation on the veracity of the announcement after the rapper's father and former manager Christopher Hope stated he was unable to confirm the authenticity of the announcement, according to Insider.
Lil Tay's former manager Harry Tsang also urged "cautious consideration." He refrained from confirming or denying the death announcement.
"Given the complexities of the current circumstances, I am at a point where I cannot definitively confirm or dismiss the legitimacy of the statement issued by the family," Tsang stated.
Considering Lil Tay's past as an online personality with a history of controversy, fans, and skeptics were inclined to ponder the potential for a hoax.
Was Tian trying to 'rebrand' Lil Tay?
Lil Tay, whose original name was Claire Hope, gained viral success in 2018 for her series of videos where she is often seen flexing luxury vehicles, flashing stacks of dollars, and lavish lifestyle as the social media sensation played the character of a young rich girl.
In 2019, her brother Tian was recognized as a pivotal figure in her flourishing career. According to an article by The Cut, the online influencer's social media fame was created by her half-brother Tian who was credited as the "genius behind the curtain."
The outlet wrote that before the launch of her career, Tian posted videos of his rap tracks on YouTube. However, he did not gain popularity until his shift in strategy led to his younger sister's online stardom.
"A little girl saying all of the things he thought — that was something new, much more outrageous, and clickable. And he had just the little girl," the report noted of the internet-obsessed brother's plan to gain popularity for their videos.
He reportedly helped Lil Tay in crafting her persona and also coached her to deliver the lines he wrote for his sister who was a "natural actress." However, it was alleged in May 2018 that she was being exploited by Tian after clips of him coaching her provocative content came out.
Following the controversial videos surfaced online, Lil Tay's social media accounts were scrubbed which led internet users to doubt that she and her family were not able to manage their public image. Talking to Buzzfeed News, a spokesperson for Lil Tay's family said at the time that Tian was "rebranding" her.
The spokesperson also requested fans to stay alert for updates on the young rapper. However, Lil Tay gradually stopped being active on social media and chose to stay private during the peak of her burgeoning career.
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