Rapper T.I. has become a headline fixture in recent weeks after revealing that he takes his teenage daughter, Deyjah Harris, to the gynecologist every year to ensure that her hymen is “still intact” – a procedure wrongly believed to determine whether a woman is a virgin or not.
In a bid to defend his highly controversial comments and “set the record straight”, the 39-year-old appeared in a recent episode of Red Table Talk.
During the interview with hosts Jada Pinkett Smith and Adrienne Banfield-Jones, T.I. insisted that the widespread backlash – which the rapper referred to as “Hymen-Gate” – was in reaction to a conversation he was having in “a very joking matter”.
“Firstly, I came to clear up any misconceptions that have been surrounding how we interact and parent and what is appropriate and inappropriate,” he kickstarted the conversation. “My intentions have been terribly misconstrued and misconceived. All of this false narrative has just been sensationalised.”
RELATED: Rapper T.I. Takes His Teenage Daughter To The Gynecologist To Confirm Her Hymen Is “Still Intact”
“All of this surrounds a conversation that I was having in a very joking manner,” he continued. “When I was asked how I deal with parenting in this day and age, I just began to, from a place of truth, I began to embellish and exaggerate and I think a lot of people kind of like took it extremely literal.”
The father-of-six then went on to insist that his daughter’s biological mother also attended the divisive appointments and there was “no objection” from either of them.
“Never said I was in any exam room. That is an assumption, that is a falsity,” he continued. “I never said that it was being done present-day, as an 18-year-old… And I never said that her mother wasn’t present.”
Although he sees no issue with the procedure, he did go on to admit that he “understands” how his daughter has been affected by the comments he made in public.
“She did have a problem with me talking about it, however. And I understand that,” he admitted. “I am incredibly apologetic to her for that. To her. To you, sweet baby Deyjah. Not to any of these other strangers and any of these weirdos who just kind of toss lies around for fun.”
In a final attempt to clarify his shocking actions, the rapper shared some thoughts on virginity.
“Your childhood ends when you lose your virginity and I can’t let you run around trying to enjoy the luxuries of adulthood without any of the responsibilities of adulthood,” he added. “You must heighten the level of responsibility, that could be birth control, financial, or just having a plan.”
The rapper first came under fire after he was asked if he openly discusses sex with his teenage daughter on US podcast Ladies Like Us.
In a response which stunned listeners, he replied: “Yes, not only have we had the conversation – we have yearly trips to the gynecologist to check her hymen.”
T.I. then went on to reveal that he started the annual tradition after her 16th celebrations.
“Right after her birthday, we celebrate, then usually like the day after the party, she’s enjoying the gifts, I put a sticky note on the door: ‘Tomorrow. 9:30,'” he continued.
T.I. also admitted that he checks the box on her medical form which allows the doctor to share the patient’s personal results with him during the shocking interview.
Amid the news, his daughter unfollowed him on Instagram before tweeting a not-so-subtle message to fans which read: “I loveeeeeee yalllllll”
RELATED: T.I.’s Daughter Unfollows Him On Social Media After Controversial Virginity Comments
As per the World Health Organisation, “there is no examination that can prove a girl or woman has had sex – and the appearance of girl’s or woman’s hymen cannot prove whether they have had sexual intercourse, or are sexually active or not”.
In 2018, the United Nations called for an end to the tests describing them as a “medically unnecessary, and often a painful, humiliating and traumatic practice”.
Rapper T.I. has become a headline fixture in recent weeks after revealing that he takes his teenage daughter, Deyjah Harris, to the gynecologist every year to ensure that her hymen is “still intact” – a procedure wrongly believed to determine whether a woman is a virgin or not.
In a bid to defend his highly controversial comments and “set the record straight”, the 39-year-old appeared in a recent episode of Red Table Talk.
Rapper T.I. has become a headline fixture in recent weeks after revealing that he takes his teenage daughter, Deyjah Harris, to the gynecologist every year to ensure that her hymen is “still intact” – a procedure wrongly believed to determine whether a woman is a virgin or not.
In a bid to defend his highly controversial comments and “set the record straight”, the 39-year-old appeared in a recent episode of Red Table Talk.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
