Earlier this week, Tory Lanez was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being found guilty of shooting Megan Thee Stallion in 2020.
During the trial, over 70 letters were presented supporting Lanez, hoping to sway the judge and jury’s decision. Amid the hearing, fellow rapper Iggy Azalea received backlash for penning a letter exalting Lanez. Now that the trial has concluded and the public is combing through court documents, it was revealed that R&B singer Mario also wrote a letter in support of the Canadian rapper.
Legal affairs journalist Meghann Cuniff provided consistent updates on the trial via X, formally known as Twitter. On August 10, she posted a photo of Mario’s letter addressed to Judge Herriford.
The “Let Me Love You” singer made the judge aware that he has known Lanez for “over seven years,” and through conversations, he has realized that he is a “stand up person.” He later acknowledged Lanez as a “hard worker” despite a system that tried to “oppress him.”
He finished his letter by claiming to “never seen Tory act out of character in a manner to hurt someone.” Lastly, he included Lanez’s 6-year-old son in the letter writing, “All I can ask and pray for is that he and his son are treated fairly.”
R & B singer Mario also wrote a letter to the judge ahead of Tory Lanez being sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting Megan Thee Stallion.
"I have never seen Tory act out of character in a manner to hurt someone."
– Mario Barrett pic.twitter.com/tvX7Oe0CRe— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) August 10, 2023
Mario’s fans were shocked to see him support the disgraced rapper and voiced their opinions on X. Some pointed out how his fanbase primarily consists of Black women.
The fact that you have a similar fan base as Meg, BLACK WOMEN, (not including the lost causes, oops I mean the pick me’s) is crazyyyyy. Not you put Tory freedom before your career.
— biigmamaplease (@citygirlthe3rd) August 10, 2023
Others even mentioned how Mario and Lanez share a history of violence toward women.
— Stacy ❤️'s HanmaMikey (@Hisustoria) August 10, 2023
What’s sick is this guy has multiple other cases and accusations of violence but you have never soon him hurt anyone. @OHYESMARIO is trash for this. I don’t understand Y some blk men hate blk women. Bro you came from a blk woman. Pray you don’t have a wife or daughter bc oh child
— Strong Faith *GAZA* (@pnutc) August 10, 2023
On August 10, the rapper finally broke his silence after receiving his sentence. He posted a message to his fans, aka the “Umbrellas,” on Instagram.
In his statement, Lanez said that he has “always maintained his innocence and always will.”
He also stated that he is in “no way, shape or form” apologizing for the charges that he believes is a “wrongful conviction.”
View this post on Instagram
As Mario was being dragged for his letting supporting the rapper, other artists found themselves in hot water for possibly standing with Lanez as well.
As Blavity previously reported, Drake got caught in the crossfire after fans noticed he liked Lanez’s Instagram post.
“He’s such a weirdo,” one user wrote on X, adding a Meg GIF.
He’s such a weirdo pic.twitter.com/S9WHBhlPYN
— Mari🇪🇹 (@Ethiomari) August 11, 2023
Another referenced Drake’s slanted beef with the “Body” rapper.
the one sided beef drake has with megan is so weird
— s🩸ً (@rihannacvnt) August 11, 2023
One X user shared a list of other celebrities who also offered letters of support for Lanez.
List of unknown celebrity who wrote a letter to the judge in support of Tory Lanez exposed by @meghanncuniff:
Iggy Azalea.
R & B singer Mario.
Marc John Jefferies an actor.
Melii a rapper apparently.
Yolanda Merritt, who’s on tour with Beyoncé.
Stefflon Don an artist.— Mari🇪🇹 (@Ethiomari) August 10, 2023
Celebrities listed include Marc John Jefferies, Melii and Setfflon Don.
None of the individuals listed have issued statements regarding their support for Lanez.
