Megan Thee Stallion speaks out after guilty verdict in Tory Lanez shooting: 'More than just vindication for me'


Megan Thee Stallion is speaking out about the Tory Lanez shooting trial one last time, four months after he was found guilty.
The rapper has penned an essay for Elle after Lanez in December was convicted of shooting her. In the essay, she notes that not everyone believed her story, and she "overcame the public humiliation of having my name and reputation dragged through the mud" by Lanez "for the entire world to see," adding that "people treated my trauma like a running joke." It "never crossed my mind that people wouldn't believe me," she noted, writing that she views herself "as a survivor."
Megan went on to refute the idea that she "inexplicably healed because I was still smiling through the pain," revealing she actually "started falling into a depression" and "was in such a low place that I didn't even know what I wanted to rap about." But when a jury found Lanez guilty of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and other charges in December, she said 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."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Now, Megan said she has been "healing after being in such a dark place" and is "taking the appropriate steps to resume my life," and although she's "in a happier place," she still has "anxiety." She also said this will be "the final time that I'll address anything regarding this case in the press," as she is "more than just my trauma." The rapper concluded by calling for "safer environments for women to come forward about violent behavior without fear of retaliation."
Lanez's attorneys are pushing for a new trial, and his sentencing has been delayed. He faces more than 22 years in prison.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Shakespeare not an absent spouse, study proposes
speed read A letter fragment suggests that the Shakespeares lived together all along, says scholar Matthew Steggle
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia