Rapper Lil Yachty opened up about raising a child out of the public eye and why he doesn’t feel pressure to post his daughter online.
In October 2021, Lil Yachty — whose real name is Miles Parks McCollum — welcomed a daughter named Varsity with designer Selangie Henriquez. Whenever he’s asked about his 3-year-old in interviews, he can’t help but gush.
“People think I’m a deadbeat because I don’t post her,” Yachty said. “Fuck you [laughs]. I don’t need the validation. This is something me and the mother of my child go back and forth, and butt heads on, but I don’t care.”
“I don’t need anyone to like the picture and tell me, ‘So cute, she looks just like you. Twin.’ I don’t need that. I see her. I can look at her and see that we look alike. I don’t need you to tell me. I don’t need you to tell me her outfit’s nice.”
Although he respects the parents who decide to put their children on social media, he went on to stress his lack of desire because he knows his child didn’t ask to be in the spotlight or ask for extra attention from strangers.
“I’m not going to make her a celebrity. She didn’t ask for it. I know the power I have. I know if I did it, I know what she’d be. She didn’t ask for every time she goes for ice cream, someone’s asking for a picture, recording her, or filming her.”
“I like the fact that she can go out with my sister or my grandma, and they’re not noticed. If I put her on the internet and make her a star, people are going to stop her and always want pictures. She’s a kid.”
The “All Around the World” rapper added that he’d only make an exception if it’s something his daughter wanted to do, but he’s leaving the decision in her hands.
He noted that if she wanted to make a TikTok together or something along those lines, he would do it happily, but he ultimately wants the choice to be hers.
I admire his decision! But I wasn’t the only one. Here’s what people said in the comments:
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