Ray J’s Mom Sonja Norwood Slams Critics Calling His Heart Condition a “Hoax”: “He’s NOT Faking” This “Life-Threatening Situation”

Sonja Norwood, mother and manager of R&B superstar Brandy and television personality-singer Ray J, had a moment of transparency on Tuesday (March 3) when she took to social media to open up about her son’s health.

As concern grows for the troubled ‘Wait a Minute‘ hitmaker following reports he is suicidal after learning of his reported battle with heart failure, Norwood not only solicited prayers for the 45-year-old but also hit back at critics who believe his health scare is nothing more than a publicity stunt.

Look inside to hear how she addressed the matter.

@ritajbepostingeverythang #fyp #rayj #family #health #familyovereverything ♬ original sound – Rita J Be Posting Eveything

Specific details about Ray’s condition remain a mystery, but the star has been quite opening about the overall status of his health – even once proclaiming he expected to be dead before the end of February.

Although he is very much still alive as of the time of this report (March 3), Sonja wanted to make clear his situation is still very serious.

“It’s just gotten out of hand when someone thinks that my son is faking his health, or [that] it’s a hoax, or [that] he’s just playing around [and] he’s not really serious about it,” Norwood said in the video clip above. “[But] I’d just like to get something clear: I’m the type of mother that there’s not much I don’t know about my children…so for all of you that have been genuinely concerned about him…I want to say I thank you very much for that because it takes multiple prayers and thoughts for things to change.”

Detailing his experience with heart failure, Sonja corroborated reports from earlier this year Ray was hospitalized after experiencing “severe chest pains.”

“Every other word explained to us [by the doctors] was ‘this is life-threatening,’” Sonja shared. “It has been told to him that if he does not take his medication, if he does not take medical advice, and if he doesn’t rest and stay stress-free…then he has a life-threatening situation.”

All-in-all, Norwood is optimistic about her son’s overall well-being as long as he respects his new limitations.

“And that’s where we are,” she said. “[But] my biggest worry is if he’s taking his medication exactly like he’s supposed to be because he has complained that those medications make him tired and make him eat more than he ever has before.”

At writing, Ray has not publicly addressed his mother’s reaction to the critics.