WATCH: Ray J's shocking health update - doctors say he may only have months to live

Singer and reality television personality Ray J has shared a concerning update about his health, revealing that doctors have warned his life expectancy may only extend to 2027.

The artist, born William Ray Norwood Jr, spoke publicly after being hospitalised earlier this month with severe pneumonia.

Ray J took to Instagram over the weekend to update fans about his condition. In a video posted to his page, the 45-year-old said that he had been close to death and thanked supporters for standing by him.

“Just almost died. I am alive because of your prayers and support,” he wrote in the caption.

In the video, he added, “I wanna thank everyone for praying for me. I was in the hospital. My heart is only beating like twenty-five percent, but as long as I stay focused and stay on the right path, then everything will be all right.”

In a separate Instagram livestream that has since circulated widely on social media, Ray J spoke more directly about his prognosis.

“2027 is definitely a wrap for me. My health is not okay,” he said during the broadcast. While acknowledging the seriousness of his situation, he focused on his family and children.

“It does not matter if my days are counted. But guess what, my baby mama gonna be straight. My kids are gonna be straight. If they want to spend all the money, they can spend it, but I did my part here,” he said.

The singer also used the moment to reflect on his past lifestyle and the impact it may have had on his health.

“I f***ked up,” he admitted during the livestream. “I thought I could handle all the alcohol, I could handle all the Adderall, I could handle all the drugs, but I could not, and it curbed my time here.”

He went on to describe the extent of his substance use at the height of that period. “I was drinking four or five bottles a day and taking ten Addies at a time,” he said. “I am like, Ain’t nothing happening to me. I am indestructible. The joke is on me. Take care of yourselves, y’all.”

According to reports, he previously battled pneumonia in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic. His recent hospitalisation has renewed concern among fans who have followed his career for years.

Ray J rose to prominence in the early 2000s with a string of R&B hits, including “One Wish”. He later became a familiar face on reality television through shows such as “Love and Hip Hop Hollywood” and “For the Love of Ray J”.

His name also drew global attention in 2007 following the release of a private video featuring his then-girlfriend, Kim Kardashian, which sparked a major public controversy.

In recent years, the singer has also been involved in legal conflict.

In October 2025, Kardashian and her mother, Kris Jenner, filed a defamation lawsuit against him following claims he made during a livestream, in which he suggested the two were involved in criminal activity.

The matter added to the ongoing public tension between the parties.

As news of Ray J’s health struggles continues to spread, fans across social media have shared messages of concern and support.