I'd like you to help with grammar check

I recently read an article which refer to a celebrity who said " And they say, I did not have a talent .....". My question is, the use of did was really correct? because what she is trying to complain is what still people believe until now that she does not have a talent. What does this celebrity trying to refer? Is it the past or present situation?, and if it is the past, is it correct they way she said while all tabloid say this until now. I am not trying to dig the article but the statement she made. I thought she was supposed to say " And they say, I don't have a talent ...." as the fact to prove your talent.

1) I think the needless word "that" should be omitted here.
2) I think the word "to" should be added after the word "refer."
3) I think the word "they" is the typo of "that."
4) I think the sentence "I am not trying to dig the article but the statement she made." is totally wrong, so that it should be rewritten like the following: "I am trying to dig not the article but the statement she mad."

Thank you in advance for your help.