Sonja Norwood, the mother of singer Ray J, said Monday that her son’s medical condition is real. She spoke in a livestream aimed at stopping online speculation and conspiracy chatter.
Ray J’s Mother Says ‘Not a Hoax’
Norwood told followers she and her husband flew to Las Vegas in January.
They visited their son after a friend called with worrying news.
“ This is not fake. It’s not a hoax, it’s not him trying to get attention,” she said.
The family said Ray J was hospitalized for pneumonia and heart problems on Jan. 6. Doctors ran tests after the singer reported chest pains.
Ray J has said doctors told him he may have only months to live. In a January video he told fans, “ My health is not okay.”
The rumors intensified after a Valentine’s Day concert in Baton Rouge.
Video from that show showed what looked like blood under Ray J’s eyes.
A backstage photographer later said the blood came from a bottle.
Some social posts called the display a publicity stunt. Norwood rejected that claim in her livestream. She said doctors warned her son to slow down and rest.
The singer has also been in the news for legal and family matters.
At a recent hearing, both his estranged wife and his mother spoke about their children.
Medical Details
Public reports say Ray J’s heart function is reduced to about 25 percent. He has described a long history of substance use and strained health.
Norwood said she worries about her son following doctors’ orders. She said he must take medication and alter his lifestyle.
Norwood thanked fans for their prayers and support.
“For all of you who have been generally concerned about him and generally prayed for him, I thank you very much for that,” she said.
Norwood urged people to stop spreading rumors. She asked the public to respect Ray J’s privacy and recovery process.