Ray J has reportedly been hospitalized in Las Vegas with a severe case of pneumonia and heart-related pain, just weeks after his highly publicized Thanksgiving arrest involving his estranged wife, Princess Love. According to TMZ, the 44-year-old singer and reality star was admitted to a Las Vegas hospital on Tuesday night (January 6) after experiencing intense chest and heart pain connected to a serious bout of pneumonia.[3][2] The health scare comes on the heels of allegations that Ray J pulled a gun on Princess Love during a holiday dispute.
TMZ reports that Ray J, born Willie Ray Norwood Jr., remains under medical care, where doctors have conducted X-rays and an echocardiogram to assess his condition, though the results have not yet been made public.[3][2] BET notes that this latest hospitalization is especially concerning given Ray J’s previous battle with non-COVID pneumonia four years ago during the height of the pandemic, when he was placed on oxygen and briefly required an inhaler.[2][3] At that time, he later recovered, but the experience reportedly left him shaken and more aware of his vulnerability.
According to BET, sources close to Ray J say he believes his relentless work schedule and constant travel may have contributed to his current health issues.[2] In recent weeks, he had been publicly documenting a cross-country journey, which he said involved hitchhiking, before ending up in Las Vegas, though TMZ reports it is unclear whether that travel played any role in his illness.[3] As of now, neither Ray J, his sister Brandy, nor Princess Love has made a public statement addressing the hospitalization or providing an update on his condition.[1][2]
The medical emergency follows a turbulent holiday season for the “One Wish” singer. BET reports that Ray J was arrested over Thanksgiving after Princess Love claimed he pointed a gun at her and her family during a confrontation, an allegation he has denied.[2] He reportedly admitted to holding the firearm but insisted he never aimed it at anyone and said he felt afraid when they showed up at his home.[2] The combination of legal troubles and serious health concerns has put Ray J back in the spotlight for reasons far removed from his music and business ventures, underscoring the intense personal pressures facing the longtime R&B star and reality TV fixture.
