A dramatic moment during Ray J’s Valentine’s Day weekend performance has fans doing a double-take, and not in a good way. The singer appeared onstage with what looked like blood streaming from his eyes, but a photographer now claims the shocking scene was staged, turning a health scare into a growing controversy.
Ray J allegedly used fake blood at recent live show
The incident traces back to Ray J’s Feb. 14 concert in Shreveport, Louisiana, where fans spotted what looked like blood running from his eyes, along with a device that resembled a heart monitor. The unsettling moment spread fast online and had viewers worried about the performer’s condition.
But event photographer Tommy Nard II later pushed back on the panic, claiming the scene was staged. Footage obtained by KTAL 6 appeared to show Ray J applying a substance to his face before taking the stage. Nard alleged the liquid was fake blood and suggested the move was deliberate. In his words, the singer “loves the camera” and the moment was meant to be theatrical rather than real.
Ray J’s camp responded carefully, neither fully confirming nor shutting down the claims. His manager, Melinda Santiago, told Entertainment Weekly that the singer has been dealing with real and serious heart and health issues. She slammed the idea that he would fake something like this for attention, calling that narrative “absurd,” and hinted that backstage access might get tighter going forward.
The situation picked up even more buzz because of Ray J’s recent health scare. In January, after being hospitalized with severe pneumonia, he told fans his heart was operating at roughly 25 percent and suggested doctors had given him a limited window. Ahead of his Valentine’s Day performance, he doubled down on the drama, posting, “I’m putting my life on the line for this show!!”
Even with the intense onstage moment, the singer later tried to calm everyone down in backstage footage. He told viewers not to worry, saying everything was under control and that he was doing just fine. “Hey y’all, we’re perfectly fine. Nobody’s sick… I’m fine, y’all,” he assured.
Originally reported by Rishabh Shandilya on Mandatory.com.
