Megan Thee Stallion is reclaiming her power. In a recent interview with Elle magazine for its latest cover, she addressed her shooting at the hands of Tory Lanez for “the final time.”

The hot girl is featured in the magazine’s April issue and opened up about how she overcame public humiliation after being shot, her decision to stay out of the public eye following Lanez’s guilty verdict, and providing a voice for other Black women who may have experienced violence.

“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,” Megan shared with the magazine. “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.”

 

As Blavity reported, the 28-year-old was shot by Lanez after the two attended a pool party at Kylie Jenner’s home on July 12, 2020.

Megan said the Canadian native, social media users and her musical peers had made jokes about the injuries she sustained in the shooting. However, she couldn’t understand why people weren’t “condemning” the “Say It” artist for his actions.

“I could have let the adversity break me, but I persevered, even as people treated my 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,” the “Savage” rapper said.

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.”

In December 2022, a Los Angeles jury found Lanez guilty on charges of discharging a firearm with gross negligence, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle, per Blavity.

“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,” the Houston native recalled.

Megan took a months-long hiatus from social media following the high-profile case. From spending time with her dogs or her manager, Farris, the 28-year-old said she reflected on her life after what she described as “trauma.”

“These last few months, I’ve been healing after being in such a dark place. The physical and mental scars from this entire ordeal will always sting, but I’m taking the appropriate steps to resume my life.”

Megan also encouraged other survivors to continue using their voices to speak up, despite what some may say about them.

“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,” she said.

cover storyELLE MagazineMegan Thee Stallion