Ray J has issued a stark update on his health following a recent hospitalization for pneumonia, revealing that his heart is functioning at just 25 percent and warning that he does not believe he will be alive beyond 2027. The 45-year-old singer and reality television star shared the grim assessment during an Instagram Live broadcast on January 27, describing his condition in blunt terms. "2027 is definitely a wrap for me," Ray J said, gesturing toward his chest. "This is black. This is, like, done.” The “Sexy Can I” artist said he nearly died during the hospitalization, which doctors linked to severe pneumonia and heart failure. Reflecting on the period leading up to his collapse, Ray J admitted to years of heavy substance use. “I f--ked up,” he said. “I thought I was big so I could handle all the alcohol, I could handle all the Adderall, I could handle all the drugs, but I couldn’t. It curved my time here.”
Ray J disclosed that he had been drinking “four or five bottles a day” and taking “10 Addys,” adding that he believed he was “undestructible” before his health rapidly deteriorated.
Days earlier, in a January 25 Instagram video, Ray J first revealed the extent of his heart damage, saying, “My heart’s only beating like 25 percent.” Despite the severity of the diagnosis, he struck a hopeful note. “As long as I stay focused and stay on the right path, everything will be all right,” he said, before adding, “My health is not OK.”
In the caption accompanying the video, he wrote, “Just almost died!! I’m alive because of your prayers and support!!” He later reiterated in other livestreams that doctors warned he may have only months to live.
Medical experts note that a heart functioning at 25 percent suggests a severely reduced ejection fraction, a condition associated with advanced heart failure. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a normal ejection fraction ranges from 50 to 70 percent, while levels below 30 percent are considered life-threatening.
Ray J said his parents, Sonja Norwood and Willie Norwood, are now closely involved in his care and will accompany him to medical appointments. “My momma and my daddy coming to pick me up tomorrow and they’re gonna take me to the checkup,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude to his sister, Grammy-winning singer Brandy, for stepping in during his recovery. “Shoutout to Brandy for looking out for me,” Ray J said, adding, “My sister paid my bills for me for the rest of the year. That’s crazy.”
TMZ previously reported that Ray J was admitted to a Las Vegas hospital earlier this month with severe pneumonia and heart pain, marking his second bout with pneumonia in four years following an illness during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. The hospitalization comes amid ongoing legal issues, including a recent arrest following a domestic violence call and a civil lawsuit involving Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner. Representatives for Ray J have been contacted for comment.