In a shocking turn of events, it has been confirmed by Meta, the parent company of Instagram, that social media star Lil Tay was the victim of a hacking attempt. On Wednesday, an Instagram post on Tay's account claimed that she had passed away, causing widespread confusion and mourning among her fans. The statement, which has since been deleted, also alleged that Tay's brother had died as well. However, Meta has now confirmed that Tay was indeed locked out of her account and that her claims of being hacked are truthful. They have since restored her access to the account.

Tay, whose real name is Tay Tian or Claire Hope, rose to fame as a controversial child rap star, known for her extravagant social media posts that showcased her supposed "rockstar life". The nine-year-old quickly gained popularity with videos of her revving the engines of luxury cars, throwing money on the streets, and posing in designer clothes. However, her fame was not without controversy, as she faced criticism for her age and lack of a driving license.

The news of Tay's death came as a shock to her followers, as the statement announcing her passing was not attributed to a family member and no official investigation had been launched. Many were left wondering if the announcement was a hoax or a publicity stunt. The confusion grew when Tay's former manager, Harry Tsang, cast doubt on the hacking claim and expressed belief that Tay was still alive. Tsang, however, clarified that his doubts stemmed from his conversation with Tay's father and former social media manager, who could not confirm if she had truly passed away or not.

Amidst the speculation, Tay herself broke her silence and confirmed that she was indeed alive. She expressed her heartbreak and the trauma she went through during the 24 hours following the false death announcement. According to Tay, her Instagram account was compromised by a third party who spread false information and rumors about her, even using the wrong name. Tay's legal name is Tay Tian, not Claire Hope. She denounced the hack and insisted that she and her brother were safe and alive.

While the Los Angeles police were unable to confirm Tay's death, suspicions surrounding her father, Chris Hope, resurfaced. Allegations of abuse had previously been made by Tay's older brother, Jason Tian, who claimed that their father had taken control of Tay's money, career, and custody. Despite the allegations, Tsang defended Chris Hope, stating that he is a "cool guy" and that he does not believe the abuse claims to be true.

The entire incident has left Tay's fans and followers bewildered and concerned for her well-being. It remains to be seen how Tay will navigate the aftermath of this hacking attempt and regain the trust and support of her audience.