Megan Thee Stallion Addresses the Tory Lanez Shooting for the First Time Since Guilty Verdict

For the first time since she testified in the trial against Tory Lanez last year, Megan Thee Stallion is publicly speaking about Lanez's guilty verdict (Lanez was convicted for shooting Megan in the feet in 2020).

Speaking with Elle, the rapper talked about overcoming the highly-publicized assault and the subsequent mocking at the hands of Lanez's fans and fellow musicians.

"I don’t want to call myself a victim. As I reflect on the past three years, I view myself as a survivor, because I have truly survived the unimaginable," she said. "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."

She lambasted the people who "treated [her] trauma like a running joke."

"First, there were conspiracy theories that I was never shot. Then came the false narratives that my former best friend shot me," she continued. "Even some of my peers in the music industry piled on with memes, jokes, and sneak disses, and completely ignored the fact that I could have lost my life. Instead of condemning any form of violence against a woman, these individuals tried to justify my attacker’s actions."

The Grammy-winning artist admitted that dealing with the situation in such a public fashion forced her into a dark headspace.

"The truth is that I started 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," she said. "It never crossed my mind that people wouldn’t believe me. Still, I knew the truth and the indisputable facts would prevail."

Of Lanez's conviction, she said, "When the guilty verdict came on Dec. 23, 2022, 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 committed against them."

Despite the victory, Megan noted that not all women get the justice they deserve. "My heart hurts for all the women around the world who are suffering in silence, especially if you’re a Black woman who doesn’t appear as if she needs help. So many times, people looked at me and thought, 'You look strong. You’re outspoken. You’re tall. You don’t look like somebody who needs to be saved.' They assumed that, per preconceived stigmas, 'I didn’t fit the profile of a victim,' and that I didn’t need support or protection," she said.

In order to properly heal from the experience, Megan concluded that she will no longer speak about the trial or Lanez.

"My purpose is for these words to serve as the final time that I’ll address anything regarding this case in the press," she said. "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. "

Lanez, whose given name is Daystar Peterson, was found guilty of assault with a semiautomatic firearm; possession of a concealed, unregistered firearm; and negligent discharge of a firearm. His sentencing has been delayed as his attorneys have filed a motion for a new trial.

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