Ray J Reveals Devastating Health Prognosis: '2027 is Definitely a Wrap for Me'
The music world has been shaken by a sobering health update from singer Ray J, who has revealed that doctors have given him just months to live. The 45-year-old artist, whose real name is William Ray Norwood Jr., made the grim announcement during an emotional Instagram Live session that has since circulated widely across social media platforms.
Hospitalisation and Heart Function Concerns
Earlier this month, the "One Wish" and "Sexy Can I" performer was rushed to a Las Vegas emergency room after experiencing severe heart pains alongside a serious case of pneumonia. Following his return home over the weekend, Ray J shared a concerning update with his followers, stating: "My heart's only beating 25 percent, but as long as I stay focused and stay on the right path, everything will be all right."
In a subsequent Instagram post, the singer admitted: "My health is not OK, so I thank everybody for supporting and praying for me through everything I've been in the hospital." He captioned another post with the stark words: "Just almost died!! I'm alive because of your prayers."
Substance Abuse Admission and Future Plans
During his candid Instagram Live broadcast, Ray J openly blamed his health crisis on years of substance abuse, confessing: "I f***ed up." He elaborated: "I thought... I could handle all the alcohol, I could handle all the Adderall, I could handle all the drugs, but I couldn't." The singer made the devastating prediction about his future, stating: "2027 is definitely a wrap for me. My health is not OK."
Despite the bleak prognosis, Ray J revealed plans to travel to Haiti in two weeks to "do some voodoo," and expressed gratitude toward his sister, singer and actor Brandy, for covering his substantial hospital bills.
Previous Health Battles and Personal Struggles
This is not the first time Ray J has battled pneumonia. In 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he sought treatment for the same lung infection. At that time, he told TMZ: "I thought it was over," explaining how he shared a hospital wing with COVID-19 patients despite testing negative for the virus. "I started praying and knew God is good, so I just kept praying."
The Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood star's health crisis comes amid ongoing personal turmoil. He is currently divorcing his on-again, off-again ex-wife Princess Love, with whom he shares seven-year-old daughter Melody and six-year-old son Epik. The couple married in 2016 and have filed for divorce four times, most recently in February 2024.
Legal Battles and Controversial History
Ray J, younger brother of R&B star Brandy and cousin of Snoop Dogg, has a complicated history with reality television star Kim Kardashian, whom he dated for approximately three years in the early 2000s. Their relationship became infamous in 2007 when a sex tape featuring the couple was leaked online.
In 2022, the singer made headlines by claiming that Kardashian and her mother, Kris Jenner, had orchestrated the tape's release together. This allegation sparked a series of legal battles between the parties.
In October last year, Kardashian and Jenner sued Ray J for defamation after he suggested that racketeering charges against their family "would be appropriate" in a documentary about Sean "Diddy" Combs. Ray J responded with a countersuit, arguing that the famous duo "spent two decades peddling the false story that the sex tape... was leaked against her will."
The singer claims that Kardashian and Jenner's lawsuit stems from their anger that he "no longer wants to play along with their tall tale." According to legal documents, Ray J signed an agreement ensuring the sex tape would not be mentioned again on The Kardashians reality show, an agreement he claims was violated, entitling him to $1 million in damages.
In response to the lawsuit, Kardashian and Jenner's lawyer Alex Spiro told TMZ: "After realizing he is losing the case and losing his way, this disjointed rambling distraction is not intimidating anyone. Ray J will lose this frivolous case too."
As Ray J faces his most serious health challenge yet, the music industry and his fans worldwide are left hoping for a miracle recovery while processing the singer's heartbreaking prognosis.
