Social media star Jay Versace’s fans rushed to his aid after sharing a GoFundMe page for his mother’s memorial.
Versace posted the GoFundMe via Twitter on May 20, expressing how devastated he was over his mom, Nikesha “Dolly” Gunter’s passing.
“This has truly been one of the saddest times of my life,” he wrote. “I don’t wish this pain on anyone. [Please] help me send my momma off smoothly. Anything helps.”
https://twitter.com/JAYVERSACE/status/1527646981148905473?s=20&t=s1guMuGbuczDxbHod9GGqg
Shortly after he made the post, he received over 2,000 donations and, as such, raised over double his $30,000 goal.
On May 21, Versace took to Twitter again to thank everyone who helped him and explain how awkward he felt about asking the public for assistance since his mother was “extremely reserved” about her personal life.
“My mother was extremely reserved and private, and I always respected that about her, which is why I never talk about my personal life or family,” he said. “This is a very weird time for me because I would like to respect my mother’s wishes about her personal life.”
my mother was extremely reserved and private and I always respected that about her , which is why I never talk about my personal life or family. this is a very weird time for me because I would like to respect my mothers wishes about her personal life
— J (@JAYVERSACE) May 21, 2022
He added that he was happy to be able to give his mom a “good memorial service” and “navigate a new space” for his sibling.
“I also have to recognize when I can’t do things by myself, and this is one of those times,” Versace said. “I was dreading asking for help, but so many [people] showed love and compassion, and I feel so happy that I can not only give her a good homegoing service but navigate a new space for my sibling.”
I also have to recognize when I can’t do things by myself and this is one of those times. I was dreading asking for help but so many ppl showed love and compassion and I feel so happy that I can not only give her a good homegoing service but navigate a new space for my sibling
— J (@JAYVERSACE) May 21, 2022
The 24-year-old concluded his thread, saying he was grateful for his fans and followers’ help.
“Thank you to everyone who contributed and didn’t feed into the nasty comments. I’m beyond grateful, and I wish I could hug all y’all. Please give me some time to grieve and process as this is still a fresh wound for me. Thank you all!”
thank you to everyone who contributed and didn’t feed into the nasty comments. i’m beyond grateful and I wish I could hug all y’all. please give me some time to grieve and process as this is still a fresh wound for me. thank you all!
— J (@JAYVERSACE) May 21, 2022
Versace, a New Jersey native, rose to fame via Vine’s now-defunct six-second video app. He has since created a popular YouTube channel titled Jay Versace, which earned him cool campaigns like his 2018 Reebok-sponsored vlog starring basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZoGDXbBMlo
Versace later became a music producer. His work appeared on several notable albums and songs, including Grammy Award-nominated rapper Lil Yachty’s Lil Boat 3.5 (2020) and Grammy Award-winning rapper Tyler The Creator’s CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST (2021).
