Megan Thee Stallion (opens in new tab) reflects on the aftermath of the trauma of being shot in both legs in July and the pressure black women face to be strong and to protect others despite their own pain In an interview on the cover of GQ (opens in new tab), she spoke about the shootings and the cruel mistrust and ridicule she faced on social media.

Megan said that Tory Lanez, whom she named as her attacker the following month, tried to bribe her and her friends into silence immediately after the shooting. I'm really scared [at this point]," she told GQ. The police are killing everyone for no reason, and I'm like, 'I can't believe I want to take your money. You shot me,'" she said of telling police that "I was cut." (Llanes' lawyer denied to GQ that he offered money to Megan or her friends.)

Megan also felt vulnerable after the shooting, with many on social media denying her trauma or making memes about the expectation of strength she felt She spoke of her experience. 'Like, damn,' she said. All the time? It was like, who is really checking on us, who is protecting us? So I'm like, 'What am I going to do?' 'What am I going to say? Will anyone believe what I say?

"I saw one that said, 'Check out your strong friends.' And a lot of people don't do that because they think, oh, this person is so strong, they must have a strong hold on themselves," Megan continued. 'I think I need to be strong for everyone and I don't want my friends or anyone around me to feel like that's pressure. She asked her friends in GQ magazine, "Why didn't you call me?"

Asked about the message she wants to convey to her fans, Megan replied, "I want black women to be louder." I want you to be more sassy. I want you to demand more, be more outspoken, keep talking and keep demanding what you deserve."