Viral internet star Lil Tay has reportedly reached out to US media, a day after a post on her official Instagram account claimed she and her brother had died.
The news shocked and confused fans.
Let’s take a look at what we know so far.
Why did people say Lil Tay was dead?
On Wednesday, local time, a post on the 14-year-old’s Instagram account said she and her brother had died.
The post has since been deleted.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of our beloved Claire’s sudden and tragic passing,” the post 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.
“Her brother’s passing adds an even more unimaginable depth to our grief.”
Police in Vancouver, where Lil Tay was believed to be living, told US news website The Daily Beast they had not received any reports of her or her brother dying.
“As of now, we are not aware and are not investigating,” a spokesperson told the site.
News outlet Insider approached her father Christopher Hope, who reportedly did not confirm or deny reports of the deaths.
Insider also reported Lil Tay’s former manager, Harry Tsang, could not verify the death of Lil Tay.
How has Lil Tay responded?
Lil Tay reportedly released a statement to entertainment website TMZ on Thursday, saying her account was compromised and she was alive.
“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,” she reportedly said.
“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’.”
Was Lil Tay’s account hacked?
American outlet ABC News said Meta, the parent company of Instagram, declined to comment on whether a hack was reported by the owner of Lil Tay’s account.
Attempts to reach Lil Tay, her mother Angela Tian and her brother Jason Tian were unsuccessful, the outlet said.
Former manager Mr Tsang told New York Post he thought the hacking “was fake”.
“I don’t believe anything that they say about the hacking,” he said.
However, New York Post reported Mr Tsang had not reached out to Lil Tay.
Lil Tay’s account on X, formerly known as Twitter, reposted two posts on Friday related to her cryptocurrency brand.
Who is Lil Tay?
The child star made a name for herself in 2018 by posting controversial viral videos that involved a high use of profanity as well as flaunting designer clothes and luxury cars.
She gained notoriety as a nine-year-old, posting videos about her wealth, with the child star bragging about cars and homes she had.
Those videos were reportedly shot in front of homes and using cars owned by the former employer of Lil Tay’s mother without his approval, according to a 2018 report by the US program Good Morning America.
Social media posting was halted that same year.
