T.I. Reflects on Virginity Comments: 'I've Learned to Listen'

Rapper T.I. has recently spoken about the significant controversy that arose from his 2019 comments regarding his daughter Deyjah's virginity. He admitted on the 'Ladies Like Us' podcast that he would take her for annual gynecologist visits to confirm her hymen was intact, sparking widespread criticism for being misogynistic. T.I. has since publicly apologized to his daughter for the embarrassment caused by these remarks.

In a recent interview with People, T.I. stated that the experience taught him the importance of listening more than speaking. He recounted how the backlash unfolded in real-time as his family was filming their reality show, "T.I. and Tiny: Friends and Family Hustle." The public criticism compounded the private family turmoil, as episodes of the show later revisited the painful events, causing renewed distress.

His daughter, Deyjah Harris, expressed profound hurt, embarrassment, and anger in an episode of their reality series following the podcast's release. She found the situation uncomfortable, especially given she had to continue living in the same house as her father. Harris noted her father spoke differently about sex with his daughters compared to his sons, and she felt a need to be more mentally and emotionally connected as a parent.