In a personal essay penned for Elle Magazine, and “final time that I’ll address anything regarding the case in the press,” Megan Thee Stallion detailed the unflinching account of her life these past three years since she was shot in the foot by Tory Lanez back in 2020.
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“I don’t want to call myself a victim,” Megan strongly started off. “As I reflect on the past three years, I view myself as a survivor, because I have truly survived the unimaginable. Not only did I survive being shot by someone I trusted and considered a close friend, but I overcame the public humiliation of having my name and reputation dragged through the mud by that individual for the entire world to see.”
Dealing with the scrutiny, from both the public and her peers, while her “attacker peddled false narratives” and “tried to leverage social media to take away my power,” resulted in Megan “falling into a depression.”
“I didn’t feel like making music. I was in such a low place that I didn’t even know what I wanted to rap about. I wondered if people even cared anymore. There would be times that I’d literally be backstage or in my hotel, crying my eyes out, and then I’d have to pull Megan Pete together and be Megan Thee Stallion.”
And what she couldn’t believe was that, “instead of condemning any form of violence against a woman, these individuals tried to justify my attacker’s actions.”
“It never crossed my mind that people wouldn’t believe me,” she wrote, adding that she nonetheless “knew the truth and the indisputable facts would prevail.”
When Lanez was found guilty at the end of 2022, Megan said, the verdict was “more than just vindication for me, it was a victory for every woman who has ever been shamed, dismissed, and blamed for a violent crime committed against them.”
“Time after time, women are bullied with backlash for speaking out against their attackers, especially when they’re accusing someone who is famous and wealthy,” she added. “They’re often accused of lying or attempting to make money from their trauma. From firsthand experience, I know why a lot of women don’t come forward. Any support and empathy that I received was drowned out by overwhelming doubt and criticism from so many others.”
While Megan noted that she still struggles with anxiety, she admitted she’s in a “happier place” now thanks to journaling, praying, and establishing boundaries with those she lets into her life. She’s also found her love of music again, sharing that she’s, “excited to get back into music, because I have been so transformed. I’m playing around with new songs and new sounds that I can’t wait for everyone to hear.”
“I’m ready to show everybody that all the dirt they threw at me didn’t stick,” she said.
Meg then cemented that she does not plan to speak publicly about the incident any further, saying, “I understand the public intrigue, but for the sake of my mental health, I don’t plan to keep reliving the most traumatic experience of my life over and over again. I’m choosing to change the narrative because I’m more than just my trauma.”
“This is a rebirth of a happier and healthier me,” Megan said before sharing gratitude with her Hotties for having her back and sharing a message to “anyone who has survived violence.”
“Please know your feelings are valid. You matter. You are not at fault. You are important. You are loved. You are not defined by your trauma. You can continue to write beautiful, new chapters to your life story. Just because you are in a bad situation doesn’t mean you are a bad person. Our value doesn’t come from the opinions of other people. As long as you stand your ground and live in your truth, nobody can take your power.”
To read Megan’s entire riveting essay, and please do — just click HERE.
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