Lil Tay'S Bold Comeback: From Death Hoax To Onlyfans Success on OnlyLikeFans

  • By Imani
  • Dec. 4, 2025, 11 a.m.

The Rise and Fall of Lil Tay

Lil Tay, born Claire Eileen Qi Hope, burst onto the scene in 2018 as a fiery young rapper and influencer. Known for her brash videos at just nine years old, she quickly became a controversial figure on Instagram and YouTube. Her bold claims of wealth and frequent use of expletives drew both fans and critics alike.

Everything changed in 2023 when a stunning statement on her Instagram claimed that Tay and her brother had passed away. This shocking post led to widespread confusion and concern, as neither her family nor official records confirmed the news. The announcement was later deleted, and Tay re-emerged on social media, debunking the hoax one month after it was posted.

Overcoming the Chaos

Despite the dramatic death hoax, Lil Tay's star didn't dim entirely. In 2024, she faced another challenge when her social media accounts announced she was in ICU due to a life-threatening heart condition. After undergoing successful open-heart surgery, she shared her gratitude online, promising her fans that nothing would stop her from achieving her dreams.

"We are overjoyed to share that Tay’s open-heart surgery was a great success," her team announced, thanking her medical professionals. The young star was back on her feet, proving her resilience to her millions of followers.

The Big Return: OnlyFans Sensation

Turning 18 in July 2025 marked a new chapter for Lil Tay, who promptly launched an OnlyFans account just days after celebrating her milestone birthday. In a bold move to claim financial independence, she revealed that she'd earned over $1 million within three hours of the account's debut, smashing records on the platform.

“$1M in 3 hours 🤩 we broke the f--- out of that onlyfans record," she announced triumphantly. As she teased her new content across Instagram and TikTok, Tay continued to engage with her fanbase, now totaling 9 million followers.

Life Beyond the Scandals

As of now, Lil Tay—who has reportedly changed her name to Tay Tian—enjoys a vibrant presence on social media, often sharing a glimpse into her life filled with friends, family, and ongoing projects. Her relationship with her mother remains a focal point, especially given the strain her career choices have introduced.

Rumors of a romance with Twitch streamer Rakai have also surfaced, though Tay keeps her personal life relatively private compared to her earlier years. Close ties with her brother Jason persist, as the two frequently team up for TikTok videos.

Imani
Author: Imani
Imani

Imani

Imani follows the money: payouts, contracts, lawsuits, and platform enforcement. With a background in entertainment PR and paralegal work, she breaks complex stories into plain-English playbooks for creators. Her series Follow the Money connects drama to data - who benefits, who pays, and what to do next. Calm, sourced, and courtroom-ready; DTLA is her second office.