Megan Thee Stallion stands tall on the cover and the femcee does so with purpose.
After a harrowing two years navigating the aftermath of being shot, the rapper triumphed in court last December when Tory Lanez was convicted for carrying out the heinous crime.
Now, the Houston native is looking forward and defining her story on her terms.
Beyond posing it up for a stunning shoot lensed by Adrienne Raquel, the Hot Girl Coach penned an open letter reflecting on the drama, her treatment, and what her story looks like as she moves on.
Pics and quotes below…
“My purpose is for these words to serve as the final time that I’ll address anything regarding this case in the press. I understand the public intrigue, but for the sake of my mental health, I don’t plan to keep reliving the most traumatic experience of my life over and over again. I’m choosing to change the narrative because I’m more than just my trauma.
I don’t want to call myself a victim. As I reflect on the past three years, I view myself as a survivor, because I have truly survived the unimaginable. Not only did I survive being shot by someone I trusted and considered a close friend, but I overcame the public humiliation of having my name and reputation dragged through the mud by that individual for the entire world to see.”
“For years, my attacker laughed and joked about my trauma. For years, my attacker peddled false narratives about what happened on the night of July 12, 2020. For years, my attacker tried to leverage social media to take away my power. Imagine how it feels to be called a liar every day? Especially from a person who was once part of your inner circle.”
“When I was younger, my parents warned me about being too trusting. My daddy used to say, “Just because somebody smiles in your face doesn’t mean they’re really down for you.” My parents emphasized the importance of protecting my spirit, but even as I went to school every day, I naïvely believed that everyone came with pure intentions and wanted to be my friend. Over the years, I realized that certain people didn’t need a logical reason to be hateful or mean, but my sympathetic side still wanted to give others the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately, it took until this devastating experience for me to fully grasp the magnitude of my parents’ message back then.”
“[During the ordeal] I started falling into a depression. I didn’t feel like making music. I was in such a low place that I didn’t even know what I wanted to rap about. I wondered if people even cared anymore. There would be times that I’d literally be backstage or in my hotel, crying my eyes out, and then I’d have to pull Megan Pete together and be Megan Thee Stallion.
It never crossed my mind that people wouldn’t believe me. Still, I knew the truth and the indisputable facts would prevail. I had worked way too hard to reach this point in my career to let taunts deter me. When the guilty verdict came on Dec. 23, 2022, it was more than just vindication for me, it was a victory for every woman who has ever been shamed, dismissed, and blamed for a violent crime committed against them.”
“I’m in a happier place, but I still have anxiety. Talking about being shot still makes me emotional. I’ve started journaling as a way to better process my thoughts, hopes, and fears. Prayer has also played a therapeutic role in my healing, because I can have honest and unfiltered conversations with God without any judgment.”
“I’m also getting more comfortable with saying “no” to protect my peace. In the past, there were times when I did things simply to please others and not because I truly wanted to do them. Those days are over. I’m putting myself first now because I know what I like, I know what I don’t like, I know what I’m not going to tolerate, and I know what I can endure because I’ve been battle-tested for so long. I’m ready to show everybody that all the dirt they threw at me didn’t stick.”