Megan Thee Stallion Breaks Silence on Tory Lanez Trial: ‘I’m More Than Just My Trauma’

Megan Thee Stallion is ready to talk about what happened following Tory Lanez’s assault of her for the first and last time. In an as-told-to for ELLE, Megan candidly discussed how deeply she was affected by Tory attacking her, the public’s discourse around it, and the December 2022 trial that led to Tory being found guilty of assault with a semiautomatic firearm; possession of a concealed, unregistered firearm; and negligent discharge of a firearm. Megan said she was shot multiple times in the foot by Tory after leaving a party in July 2020. Her medical report obtained by Page Six indicate doctors found three major bullet fragments in her feet after the attack; in June 2022, Megan told Rolling Stone, “I still have bullet fragments in my feet right now.” Megan first named Tory as her attacker in August 2020.

Megan told ELLE that she sees herself as a survivor more than a victim. “I don’t want to call myself a victim,” she started. “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.”

“For years, my attacker laughed and joked about my trauma,” she continued. “For years, my attacker peddled false narratives about what happened on the night of July 12, 2020. For years, my attacker tried to leverage social media to take away my power. Imagine how it feels to be called a liar every day? Especially from a person who was once part of your inner circle.”

Megan admitted that she was aware of the comments some people were making trying to defend her attacker and dismiss her account of what happened. “I could have let the adversity break me, but I persevered, even as people treated my trauma like a running joke,” she said. “First, there were conspiracy theories that I was never shot. Then came the false narratives that my former best friend shot me. 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.”

Megan said that although she continued to perform and “was still smiling through the pain,” she was privately struggling. “The truth is that I started falling into a depression,” she said. “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.”

“It never crossed my mind that people wouldn’t believe me,” she added. “Still, I knew the truth and the indisputable facts would prevail. I had worked way too hard to reach this point in my career to let taunts deter me. 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.”

For the last few months, Megan purposely stepped back from social media in order to heal. Now, she’s ready to move forward…and close this chapter of her life on her terms, in her own words. “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.”

“I was once told that you can’t have crucifixion without resurrection, and that statement resonated so deeply with me,” she finished. “This is a rebirth of a happier and healthier me. I’m a survivor and I have—and will continue—to embrace the highs and lows of my journey.”

You can read Megan’s full essay here.

Senior News and Strategy Editor

Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she’s not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.