Houston rapper Megan Thee Stallion finally addressed her traumatic experience for the last time.
The “Savage” rapper published an article in Elle Magazine to open up about the difficulties she endured during the trial against fellow rapper Tory Lanez who was found guilty of shooting the Houston Hottie in the foot in July 2020.
Megan started the article by clarifying that she doesn’t refer to herself as a “victim” but a “survivor.”
“Not only did I survive being shot by someone I trusted and considered a close friend, but I overcame public humiliation of having my name and reputation dragged through the mud by that individual for the entire world to see,” the Houston rapper said.
Megan said that she wanted the situation to stay private, but Lanez began running his mouth to the public, joking about the traumatic situation. But the knife to the back was when her peers in the music industry joined the laughter and even made “sneak disses,” neglecting the fact that she could’ve lost her life.
She said that some people she thought were her friends tried to justify Lanez’s actions.
After the incident, the world saw Megan performing and posting on social media, seemingly happy. But, according to the “Cognac Queen,” she felt depressed.
“I didn’t feel like making music,” she wrote. “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.”
The shooting happened outside of Kylie Jenner’s Hollywood Hills pool party. On Dec. 23, 2022, Lanez was found guilty and is currently facing 22 years in prison and deportation, according to Sis2Sis.
“When the guilty verdict came…it 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 against them,” she said.
Megan said she had to go through one of the darkest periods of her life without her mom or great-grandmother, but she took the necessary steps to heal. She refrained from going on social media and lived in the moment. Although she has anxiety, she’s happier and thanks her Hotties for their support.
In the article’s final part, she offered insightful advice.
“For anyone who has survived violence, please know your feelings are valid. You matter. You are not at fault. You are important,” she said. “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.”
She concluded, “…as a society, we must create safer environments for women to come forward about violent behavior without fear of retaliation. We must provide stronger resources for women to recover from these tragedies physically and emotionally, without fear of judgment. We must do more than say her name. We must protect all women who have survived the unimaginable.”
