Rapper JT is speaking out on behalf of the trans community amid the killing of beloved TikTok star Girlalala, who happened to be a trans woman.
Born Mauric Harrison, the Florida native was known for her beauty and lifestyle videos, as well as her bold personality on TikTok. On Nov. 14, her boyfriend, Shanoyd Whyte Jr., caught the attention of local police while standing in front of a house near 7 p.m., according to The Grio. When cops approached him, he pointed them toward his vehicle. Although they discovered Girlalala alive at that moment, she had been shot several times.
Who killed TikTok star Girlalala?
The police report stated that Girlalala was in the passenger seat of Whyte’s Chevy Malibu. When authorities arrived at the crime scene, Girlalala was still dealing with the aftermath of the shooting. There’s also footage showing that Whyte was responsible for the fatal shooting. He was immediately arrested and taken into police custody, where he remains. The 25-year-old has been charged with first-degree murder for Girlalala’s death.
Following news of Girlalala’s death, social media has been filled with people paying homage and old video clips from Girlalala’s previous livestreams. In several videos, she was candid about the tumultuous and sometimes violent dynamic between her and Whyte. In one upload, she appeared with a cut on her nose and under her eye, saying that they “always fight.”
JT says more needs to be done to protect trans women
JT has been vocal about the constant danger trans women live in and the failure to keep them safe.
“NOTHING is funny about a (domestic) violence story,” JT stated via in an Instagram story, according to USA Today.
JT also noted how society does not take domestic violence within the LGBTQ+ community “serious.”
“My heart is broken & these kids or adults may never be protected in a time where everything is moving fast & used as content!” she said, per USA Today. “If you see something say something ! R.I.P GIRLLALA.”
JT later posted a throwback video of her and Girlalala rapping her 2024 single “Sideways.”
“Rest beautiful girlala! We love you & Heaven will never be boring now that you are there, your boldness, energy, humor & beauty will be missed! You never missed a chance to show me love & for that I’m forever grateful. I’m sorry this happened to you!” JT captioned the clip. “We have to stop thinking things are funny because of the way the story is told! If you see content about DV don’t laugh because it’s a trans or black woman. We have a way of laughing through our pain because we have been shaped to be taken as jokes! #protecttranswomen #protectblackwomen protect feminism as a whole!”
A GoFundMe page has been created in Girlalala’s honor, and it has so far raised nearly $30,000. JT donated $5,000 and has been using her platform to raise awareness about the disproportionate levels of violence trans women face.