In July 2020, Megan Thee Stallion was shot by Canadian rapper Tory Lanez, an incident that resulted in a long legal battle that finally ended in Lanez's conviction for assault with a semiautomatic firearm, possession of a concealed, unregistered firearm, and negligent discharge of a firearm by a Los Angeles jury in December 2022. However, the repercussions of Lanez's actions have extended beyond the courtroom to significantly impact the career of the rising rapper.
In a recent ELLE cover story, Megan spoke candidly about the adversity she faced following the shooting. She revealed that she fell into depression after Lanez's identity was made public, and her trauma was turned into a joke/meme by the public and even her former best friend. The GRAMMY winner admitted to crying backstage or in her hotel room, but still had to put on a brave face and perform as Megan Thee Stallion.
While she knew the truth and the indisputable facts would prevail, Megan never thought that she wouldn’t be believed and now understands why many women don’t come forward about assaults. In December 2022, when the guilty verdict was announced, it was a victory for every woman who has ever been shamed, dismissed, and blamed for a violent crime committed against them.
However, the damage to Megan's career caused by the incident and the subsequent trial cannot be ignored. The trauma and stress of the situation took a toll on her mental health and creative output, and her music and public image were also impacted. While Megan is now choosing to change the narrative and focus on her healing and her music, the incident has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on her career.
Meanwhile, Tory Lanez's legal battles continue. Despite being convicted, Lanez filed a motion requesting a new trial in late March 2023, which prosecutors argued "lacks substance." The judge has set a hearing for May 8, with the expectation that the sentencing will happen within 30 days of that hearing if the motion for a new trial is denied. Lanez is facing up to 22 years and 8 months in prison.
The saga of Megan Thee Stallion and Tory Lanez serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of abuse and the impact it can have on victims, not just in terms of physical harm but also the lasting emotional and professional effects. It also highlights the importance of believing victims and taking action against perpetrators to ensure that justice is served.
The recent guilty verdict of Tory Lanez in the shooting trial involving Megan Thee Stallion has caused a significant blow to his career. Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, was found guilty of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, possession of a concealed, unregistered firearm, and negligent discharge of a firearm by a Los Angeles jury in December 2022.
The fallout from the trial has been severe for the Canadian rapper. Many of his music industry peers have distanced themselves from him, and his music has been removed from several popular streaming platforms. The public has also taken a stance against Lanez, with many canceling him on social media.
Lanez's legal troubles are far from over. In March 2023, he filed a motion requesting a new trial, but prosecutors argued that the motion lacked substance. The judge set a hearing for May 8, with the expectation that the sentencing will happen within 30 days of that hearing if the motion for a new trial is denied.
If Lanez is sentenced, he could face up to 22 years and 8 months in prison, which would undoubtedly have a significant impact on his career. He would likely lose many lucrative deals and endorsement opportunities and might even be dropped by his record label.
In conclusion, the verdict against Tory Lanez in the Megan Thee Stallion shooting trial has had severe consequences for his career. If he is sentenced to a significant prison term, it is unlikely that he will be able to make a comeback in the music industry.
“Many thought I was inexplicably healed because I was still smiling through the pain, still posting on social media, still performing, still dancing, and still releasing music. The truth is that I started falling into a depression. I didn’t feel like making music.” pic.twitter.com/xKTuwOGrKG
— ELLE Magazine (US) (@ELLEmagazine) April 18, 2023
