Young YouTube star and rapper Lil Tay, whose real name is Claire Hope, has passed away. She was just 14 years old. The news of her unexpected and tragic demise was confirmed by her family in an Instagram post on Wednesday morning. The statement also mentioned the passing of her brother.
The family described the loss as unbearable and shocking, revealing that the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Claire and her brother were still under investigation. They asked for privacy to grieve their overwhelming loss.
Lil Tay rose to fame in 2018 at the age of nine, branding herself as the “youngest flexer of the century”. Her YouTube channel had about 220,000 subscribers and her Instagram account was known for content showcasing her wealth.
Lil Tay’s Instagram account went inactive after June 2018 following a tribute post to rapper XXXTentacion. A 2019 article in The Cut suggested that Tay’s success was largely orchestrated by her half-brother Jason Tian, although it is not clear if he is the sibling referred to in the family’s statement.
The untimely loss of such a young and budding talent underscores the unpredictability of life and the importance of providing support and privacy to grieving families.