Megan Thee Stallion has spoken out following Tory Lanez's sentencing.
Yesterday (Tuesday, 8 August) Lanez - real name Daystar Peterson - was sentenced to 10 years for shooting Megan Thee Stallion - real name Megan Pete - in the foot in 2020.
The 31-year-old rapper's trial began late last year and saw him found guilty of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, possession of a concealed, unregistered firearm and negligent discharge of a firearm.
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Since Lanez was sentenced by a jury in a Los Angeles courtroom, Megan Thee Stallion has opened up about the affect the shooting has had on her.
The shooting occurred on the night of 11, July, 2020 when Megan and Lanez were driving back from a pool party hosted by Kylie Jenner.
The pair ended up having an argument - Megan told the court it began after she criticised Lanez's musical talents.
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The 'WAP' rapper said she demanded to be let out the car, Lanez told her to 'dance' and then opened fire at her with a handgun.
Megan initially told police she sustained injuries to her feet by stepping on broken glass because she didn't want to 'get in more trouble', but later came forward saying Lanez shot her.
In an op-ed for Elle, Megan Thee Stallion explains she doesn't 'want to call [herself] a victim'.
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She continues: "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."
Megan reflects on Lanez 'laughing and joking' about her 'trauma' for 'years' - Lanez releasing song 'Cap' about the incident.
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"For years, my attacker tried to leverage social media to take away my power," Megan continues. "Imagine how it feels to be called a liar every day? Especially from a person who was once part of your inner circle."
She notes she wishes the situation could've been handled 'privately' but Lanez 'made it public' leading her to feel 'completely drained'.
Megan reveals she 'started falling into a depression' and even didn't feel like making music.
Megan views Lanez's guilty verdict as 'more than just vindication for [her]'.
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She adds: "It was a victory for every woman who has ever been shamed, dismissed, and blamed for a violent crime committed against them."
"But 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."
The 'Sweetest Pie' rapper - who is in 'a happier place' but still has 'anxiety' - resolves: "For 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.
"[...] 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."
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
You can also call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 at the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline.
Topics: Megan Thee Stallion, Music, Celebrity, Crime, True crime, Gun Crime, US News