Ray J has expressed profound thoughts on how the infamous s*ex tape with Kim Kardashian, leaked in October 2003, shaped the modern landscape of internet content and personal privacy. During an appearance on the Club Shay Shay podcast hosted by Shannon Sharpe, Ray J contemplated the significant cultural shift triggered by the tape, suggesting that “everything would be different” if it had never been leaked.
Reflecting on the chain of events that followed the release, Ray J noted, “Probably more people would be going to college… there might not be any OnlyFans and other things like that. Are we a part of the cure or are we a part of the disease? I don’t f*g know. I’m just trying to make it right.” His comments highlight the tape’s role in normalizing homemade pornography, which has seen platforms like OnlyFans disrupt traditional adult entertainment sites like Pornhub. Ray J credits the incident with inadvertently fostering these changes, as per reports Billboard.
However, with the perspective of a father now, Ray J admits to feeling “embarrassed” about the past. “Everything that we did, now that I have kids, is totally different. The whole thing is wacky. Without me going too far into it, without me getting in trouble… No, it’s not okay now,” he explained on the podcast. This reflection underscores a shift in his personal values and the complexity of coming to terms with the repercussions of the tape over the years.
The origin of the tape’s leak has been the subject of much speculation and conspiracy, with many fans once suspecting Kris Jenner, Kim’s mother, of orchestrating its release to catapult her daughter into fame. In 2022, Ray J confirmed these theories to an extent, revealing that Kris Jenner had a hand in selecting the specific footage that was released, while Kim managed its distribution, likening it to launching an album. Despite Kris Jenner passing a polygraph test denying her involvement, the narrative around the tape’s release has continued to stir controversy and discussion about the intersection of privacy, consent, and celebrity.
Years after the scandal, both Ray J and Kim Kardashian have moved on to new chapters in their lives. Kim married and later divorced Kanye West, with whom she shares four children, navigating her life in the public eye. Ray J also started a family, having two children with Princess Love, though their relationship ended in separation.
As Ray J navigates the consequences and reflections of his past actions, his comments reveal a man grappling with the long-term impact of a moment that permanently altered not just two lives, but also the fabric of celebrity culture and public consumption.