Ray J was rushed to a Las Vegas hospital on Tuesday night after experiencing severe chest pains and being diagnosed with pneumonia, marking another devastating blow during the worst period of his life.
According to sources TMZ spoke to, the 44-year-old singer remains hospitalized and doctors are conducting X-rays and echocardiograms to determine the extent of his heart problem.
The health emergency comes just six weeks after Ray J was arrested following an explosive Thanksgiving meltdown after he pointed a gun at his estranged wife, Princess Love, during an argument livestreamed from their home.
The Nov. 27 incident began when Ray J went live on social media and immediately ranted that he was experiencing “the worst Thanksgiving in the world” when Princess Love tried to remove their two children from his home.
Viewers watched in horror as Ray J grew increasingly agitated on-air while holding what appeared to be a gun, while Princess Love kept their little girl nearby during the confrontation.
Los Angeles police arrested Ray J at 4 a.m. that day after Princess Love called 911 and told police he had threatened her and their children with a weapon.
The Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office has since filed six misdemeanor charges against Ray J, including brandishing a firearm, use of force and child endangerment, each of which could result in jail time.
The judge extended Ray J’s restraining order through the holidays, banning him from seeing his children during Christmas and New Year’s celebrations with his family.
Ray J’s legal team has filed multiple motions seeking to modify the restraining order, saying the separation from his children has caused him severe emotional distress and affected his mental health.
The singer maintains his innocence, claiming in recent interviews that he never pointed the gun directly at Princess Love but was instead trying to protect his children from being removed from their home.
Ray J American Express’ huge debt may have been the cause of the Thanksgiving crash
Just days before Ray J’s arrest, he was under increasing pressure after American Express filed a lawsuit against Ray J and his company, Tronix Network, demanding repayment of $139,849.85 in unpaid credit card debt. The financial lawsuit alleges a breach of contract due to the large unpaid balance, and court documents show Ray J has failed to make payments on the account for several months.
Medical experts say the combination of legal issues, financial stress and family separation can create a perfect storm of stress that can manifest in physical symptoms such as chest pain and compromised immune function.
Stress can also trigger cardiovascular symptoms, including chest pain, increased blood pressure, and heart palpitations, especially in individuals with risk factors.
This is the second time in recent years that Ray J has battled pneumonia, having been hospitalized in Miami in 2021 for a non-COVID-19 case that became so severe that he feared for his life.
During a previous illness, Ray J required oxygen support and had to use an inhaler for several weeks while recovering from a respiratory infection.
Ray J’s next court appearance regarding the modification of the restraining order is scheduled for January 15.
