RIP Rolling Ray: Why the social media star deserves to remembered as more than just a meme

This week, the internet mourns the loss of influencer, musician, and reality star Juan “Raymond” Harper, best known as Rolling Ray. Rest in peace.

The news first broke on social media where Ray’s mother shared her son has “gone home to be with the Lord,” and was later confirmed by the Zeus Network, the subscription streaming service on which Ray frequently appeared.

“Gone way too soon,” the network shared in a statement on Instagram, eulogizing the 28-year-old star. “Rest in peace to the BIG hearted, most Raw, & Real FRIEND… Your laughter, light, & loving spirit will live on FOREVER.”

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Rolling Ray, who self-identified as “the most famous boy inna wheelchair,” had already organically built a loyal following on social media as a teen before making his first television appearance on MTV’s reality spin-off Catfish: Trolls in 2018. Let’s just say: The star quality was apparent from the jump.

The next year, he was featured in the long-running syndicated reality show Divorce Court in an episode where Ray and his then-boyfriend Christian argued before Judge Lynn Toler over whether the influencer was paying more attention to his followers than his partner.

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Highly quotable and effortlessly charming, Ray’s appearance produced a number of viral clip that are still circulated to this day, especially his insistence that he’s friends with Beyoncé, alleging that the pop superstar checks in on him frequently.

In light of the news of his passing, fans have taken to sharing their favorite Divorce Court moments in his honor.

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In 2021, the Zeus Network featured Ray in The Conversation—a series which brings celebrities and social media stars to talk through their public beef—in episodes centered on his feud with out rapper Bobby Lytes (cousin of hip-hop star Trina).

Capitalizing off their highly entertaining dynamic, the two linked up to executive produce and star in the streamer’s Bobby I Love You, Purrr, a gay reality dating series that saw Lytes looking for love with a little help from his frenemy Rolling Ray.

As funny as he could be—and he always was—Rolling Ray was so much more than just a meme. A loud and proud Black, queer, wheelchair-using man, Ray was a prominent advocate for his community who frequently used his platform to shine a light of social justice causes.

Many fans have noted that Ray was on the “frontlines” of the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, even using his wheelchair to bring water to the crowds out marching on the streets.

Over the years, he’s also frequently spoken out against the injustices of the current administration, and dedicated time to fighting for accessible spaces and transportation access for those in wheelchairs or facing other mobility challenges.

We know the word gets tossed around a lot these days, but Rolling Ray truly was worthy of the word “icon”—someone who has made us laugh, spread joy, and empowered us to fight for ourselves when it felt like no one else would.

Perhaps that’s why the internet has been positively flooded with loving memories and eulogies from his many fans and friends. Even Cardi B took to X to sing his praises, writing, “Rolling Ray was a menace lmaoo… but he changed soo much and became so positive. I know that soul made it to heaven…You will truly be missed BIG PURRRR!!!”

Scroll down below to see what more folks have to say about the passing of the late, great Rolling Ray:

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