Ray J addressed a grim comment from a fan at a recent promotional appearance after earlier suggesting he might not make it past 2027.
“Just almost died!! I’m alive because of your prayers and support!!” the singer wrote on Instagram in January, explaining that he is battling a serious medical condition.
TMZ reported that the R&B artist was taken to hospital in Las Vegas after experiencing heart pain and pneumonia.
“I wanna thank everyone for praying for me. I was in the hospital,” he explained in a video addressing his fans, noting: “My heart is only beating like 25%, but as long as I stay focused and stay on the right path, then everything will be all right, so thank you for all your prayers.”
4 months after saying doctors told him he had 6 months to live, Ray J gets asked if he’s dying soon ahead of his MMA fight at Adin Ross’ event
“Ni—a aren’t you dying soon?” pic.twitter.com/MtLHnhEhLK
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) May 23, 2026
The 45-year-old, whose real name is William Ray Norwood Jr., has said substance use played a major role in his condition. In a Livebitez post, he admitted he had damaged his heart, describing it as ‘on the right side, here, it’s like, black. It’s like done’.
He added: “I thought I could handle all the alcohol, I could handle all the Adderall.”
Even with ongoing concerns about his health — including recent footage showing him with red liquid around his eyes and wearing a heart monitor while performing — he later signed up for a professional fight, which he ended up losing to Supa Hot Fire.
At a promo event ahead of the bout where the musician and the YouTuber interacted with attendees, Ray J was confronted with a direct question about his condition.
“N****, aren’t you dying soon?,” the fan can be seen asking him in a video posted to X.
Ray J appeared stunned by the remark, and others nearby also seemed caught off guard by how blunt it was.
He then fired back with a question of his own: “You wanna see me die, bro?”
The person went on to say they’d been ‘informed’ about Ray J’s health issues and wanted to know why he would take part in such a dangerous matchup.
Ray J responded that if Supa Hot Fire had the ability, he could ‘kill me in the ring’.
“I’m dying for mine,” he added, explaining they were competing under Mixed Martial Arts rules, which he said included ‘kicking’, ‘choking’, and ‘spitting’.
The fight took place as part of a celebrity event put together by streamer Adin Ross, and Ray J was dropped during the contest on Saturday, May 23.
TMZ reported that he was eventually left shaky on his feet, prompting the referee to halt the bout — with Supa Hot Fire declared the winner.