Ray J Says Doctors Warned He May Not Live Long After Hospitalization
Written by b87fm on 01/29/2026
R&B singer and reality television star Ray J has revealed he is facing serious health complications following a January hospitalization for pneumonia and heart-related issues, claiming doctors warned him that his condition could be life-threatening.
In an emotional Instagram Live—later reposted to X—the “Sexy Can I” singer thanked fans for their prayers while sharing alarming details about his diagnosis. Ray J said physicians told him his heart is functioning at just “25 percent” capacity and warned that he may not live long, adding that he was told he likely would not make it into 2027.
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According to Ray J, years of substance abuse and what he described as feeling “invincible” took a severe toll on his body. He claimed doctors told him his heart had “turned black,” underscoring the seriousness of his condition.
The singer was admitted to a Las Vegas hospital on January 7 after experiencing severe pneumonia and chest pain. The hospitalization was first reported by TMZ and later confirmed by his manager, David Weintraub, in interviews.
“He’s in the hospital for pneumonia, but it’s not the contagious kind,” Weintraub told People. “The doctors wanted to keep him there a couple extra days to watch him.”
Ray J was initially placed in a COVID care unit as a precaution, though he ultimately tested negative for COVID-19. He was treated with oxygen during his hospital stay.
Despite the grim prognosis he shared, Ray J told fans he is committed to turning his life around and focusing on his health moving forward.
“I appreciate all the love and support from everybody,” he said. “Thank you for keeping me in your prayers, and I will be back up and running soon.”
This is not the first time Ray J has battled a serious case of pneumonia. He was also hospitalized for the illness in 2021, according to People.
