Matthew Lani Admits to Faking Doctor Identity, Opens Up on HIV Diagnosis and Homelessness
Controversial Matthew Lani recently made several startling revelations, confessing to his fabricated identity as a doctor and detailing how fame led to personal and financial struggles.
Matthew Lani, who rose to popularity on TikTok for sharing health-related content, revealed the consequences of his deception and challenges in his personal life.
Also Read: Fake Doctor Matthew Lani Takes Legal Action: Demands R9 Million from Gauteng Health Department
Admitting the Deception: “Dr. Matthew” Was Never Real
Speaking on the Engineer Your Life Podcast‘, Lani admitted that his persona as “Dr. Matthew” was entirely fabricated.
He stated,
“I wrote a fake name, fake surname, and some random ID number. I made up a signature and was coerced into writing the confession.”
According to Lani, the character of “Dr. Matthew” was created to make health information, particularly HIV education, more relatable to his followers.
Lani also recounted his response to a recent statement by the Department of Health about his impersonation.
“I found it absolutely ridiculous. I knew that I was protected behind the scenes and had proof,” he said, adding that the “Dr. Matthew” persona was trademarked and was meant to humanize health education, not deceive.
Also Read: Caught on Camera: TikTok’s Dr Matthew Lani Desperately Tries to Charm His Way Out of Arrest
Revealing His HIV Diagnosis and the Painful Betrayal
In a personal revelation, Lani shared that he contracted HIV after being deliberately infected by a former partner of five years. He alleged that his ex-partner, whom he accused of being a “serial cheater,” confessed to infecting him intentionally. Following this betrayal, Lani took legal action, ultimately leading to a private prosecution and a civil case, where he received close to R1 million in damages from his former partner.
Struggles with Homelessness and Losing Everything
After the “Dr. Matthew” scandal unfolded, Lani’s life took a drastic downturn. He shared that his fame and the fallout from the deception left him financially ruined, forcing him to move in with his mother in Windsor East, Johannesburg, in March. Lani explained that his mother, who had been working as a caretaker at a residential building, took him in after he lost his apartment, car, and other possessions.
However, the arrangement has been far from stable. According to Matthew Lani, the property owner issued an eviction notice to his mother in July, adding further uncertainty to his living situation.
Seeking Redemption Amid the Fallout
Lani now faces a challenging path to redemption as he grapples with the fallout from his actions and works to rebuild his life. He noted that his initial intention with social media was to create characters to educate and simplify complex health topics but acknowledged that his desire for fame led to unintended consequences.