Pop sensation Lil Nas X has reassured fans that he is doing much better following a severe mental health crisis that led to his arrest last August.
In a touching three-minute video posted to social media the 27-year-old musician revealed he had recently completed a months-long stint in rehab. Following his treatment he has since returned to his family home in Atlanta to focus on his ongoing recovery.
The candid update is the first major public statement from the artist since his highly publicised arrest in Los Angeles last summer. At the time he was charged with assaulting police officers after being discovered wandering the streets in his underwear. He initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.
However a judge ruled in April that the star, whose real name is Montero Hill, could enter a dedicated mental health programme. Upon successful completion of this diversion scheme his criminal charges will ultimately be dismissed.
The court’s decision was heavily influenced by a formal diagnosis of bipolar disorder. The presiding judge noted that Hill’s actions during the arrest were entirely aberrant from his normal behaviour. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong psychiatric condition that typically causes extreme mood swings that range from intense emotional highs to severe depressive lows.
Living on «extreme hard mode“
Speaking directly to his followers on Instagram Lil Nas X confessed that he had suspected his diagnosis for several years but was initially reluctant to accept it. He expressed a common fear of needing daily medication and worrying about how society might view him differently.
Using his trademark humour the singer joked that his life was already challenging enough without adding a complex mental health condition into the mix.
“I mean, I’m already black and gay, like, damn, God,» he laughed. «Gay, bipolar, like I’m living life on extreme hard mode.»
On a more serious note he assured viewers that his current mindset is vastly improved. He explained that he is now able to create art freely, feels significantly less fear in his heart and is simply taking the time to smell the roses.
A musical return on the horizon
Looking healthy and speaking in front of a bright blue sky Lil Nas X admitted he felt quite nervous addressing the camera after such an extended absence from the public eye.
The Atlanta-raised performer rose to global prominence with his record-breaking hit Old Town Road, a unique fusion of country and rap that dominated the US charts for 19 weeks and secured him two Grammy Awards. He later solidified his status as a boundary-pushing queer icon with massive follow-up singles like Montero (Call Me By Your Name) and Industry Baby. In 2023 he notably took to the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury, performing just before Elton John.
While he admitted he is not quite ready to dive back into the frantic world of pop stardom just yet he did offer an exciting teaser for his loyal supporters. After seven years in the music industry he confirmed that fresh material is definitely on the way.
He concluded his heartfelt video by expressing immense gratitude to his fans for standing by him through his hardest moments, promising to continue making them and himself proud.
