Singer Muni Long has revealed that she underwent a double lung transplant, a procedure she pursued after medical professionals informed her she had only one week to live. This critical health event followed a decade-long struggle with lupus.
Long, 37, became critically ill with pneumonia in late 2025, which necessitated her withdrawal from Brandy & Monica's "The Boy Is Mine" tour. Her condition worsened around Thanksgiving, leading to her hospitalization. "I knew for a really long time that something was wrong," Long stated on "Good Morning America." "Every day I’m, like, spitting in cups and coughing all the time. Trying to take all these medicines to get through the day."
She acknowledged that taking the tour may have been a mistake given her health at the time. Long was diagnosed with lupus in 2014. In the hospital, she was presented with a stark choice: hospice care or a lung transplant. "My jaw dropped. Literally. I was like, 'That's rude.' But they were kind of like, 'This is not a joke. You need to make a choice. You can either go to hospice or you can get these lungs,'" she recalled.
Initially, Long expressed concerns about how the transplant might affect her voice, a crucial element of her career. However, the thought of her young son ultimately solidified her decision. "But then I look at my son, and I think about how much more life that I have to live. Quality of life was first. I can't sing if I'm not here," she explained, emphasizing that she was "faced with my own mortality."
Approximately six months after her surgery, Long reported feeling "fabulous" and nearing the end of her medical appointments. She stated she is asymptomatic and has experienced no infections. A vocal checkup is also scheduled for August, as she required vocal surgery as well.
Long, born Priscilla Renea Hamilton, had announced her departure from the tour via Instagram, citing her ongoing health issues. "Despite doing everything I can to push through, my doctors have made it clear that it’s not safe for me to continue with the remaining dates of the tour," she wrote at the time.
Long has previously spoken about the challenges of living with lupus, an autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), a form of lupus, can vary in severity, with some individuals experiencing mild symptoms and others facing life-threatening organ damage. Symptoms can include fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes, hair loss, and sensitivity to sun, and in more severe cases, lung and heart disease, and kidney inflammation.
The Grammy-winning artist is also recognized for her songwriting, having co-written hits such as Rihanna's "California King Bed," Fifth Harmony's "Worth It," and Pitbull's "Timber."