Lil Nas X has never been one to shy away from sharing his truth, and a recent interview provides one of the most intimate looks yet into his personal life, sexuality, and mental health. In a conversation recorded for TS Madison's iHeart podcast Outlaws in February 2025, the Grammy-winning rapper opened up about his journey toward self-acceptance, the unexpected backlash he faced after coming out, and the emotional toll that public scrutiny has taken on him. The interview, which was conducted several months before his high-profile arrest in August 2025, offers critical context for understanding the events that followed.
During the discussion, Lil Nas X — born Montero Lamar Hill — reflected on what it was like to come out as gay in 2019, just as his debut single “Old Town Road” was dominating the charts. He admitted that he underestimated the level of interest and criticism his sexuality would generate. “At first it really bothered me,” he said. “For a long time, it bothered me because I was just like, ‘People won't really care that much.’ But they cared a lot more than I thought they would care.” He added that he had believed society was more accepting than it actually was, acknowledging, “I just thought the world was just in a different place. But no, it's always like a circle of we're here for this, we're not here for that.”
The rapper also spoke candidly about the specific nature of the criticism he has received. Surprisingly, some of the harshest remarks have come from within the LGBTQ+ community itself. “A lot of the girls really fuck with me and show me a lot of love and are like my top defenders in a lot of cases, but a lot of times, they're defending me from other gay people,” he revealed. “With how I present myself and how I go about things, a lot of people can see me as very gimmicky and very try hard.” Despite this, Lil Nas X embraces his theatrical style, noting, “I don't mind being called those things. But I do like to put together gimmicks or schemes or whatnot. I think that makes it fun. I could just be a boring artist that just drops a song and does nothing with it and keep everything very vanilla. But no, I'm here to fuck shit up and have fun.”
However, the constant scrutiny took a serious toll on his mental health. He described feeling “paranoid” and “afraid to move too much or be seen too much.” “I felt like the entire world was against me,” he said. Combatting that feeling required a deep inner journey. “I had to really go on a self-love journey again, and more than ever this time, and really accept every single part of me, whether I perceive it as good or bad, and stop trying to force change in myself all the time,” he explained. “Because I feel like we're very obsessed with the idea of growth and change and forcing that. And you have to let that shit come naturally.”
The months leading up to the interview were also marked by isolation. When asked if he had any LGBTQ+ people in his life for support, he admitted, “If I'm being like super honest, like for like the past seven, eight, nine, I don't know how many long months, I kind of got away from everybody. Even like my team and everything, I kind of got rid of everybody. And I’m just now bringing people like back on board.” This period of seclusion came well before the events that would lead to his arrest in August 2025, when he was seen roaming the streets of Los Angeles in his underwear and at one point nude. After his release on bail, he released a short video saying, “Your girl is going to be ok y’all. She’s gon’ be alright, she’s gon’ be alright… That was a terrifying last four days but your girl is going to be alright.”
Earlier this month, a California judge ruled that the “Old Town Road” singer’s arrest was “aberrant from his normal conduct” and determined that the behavior was due to his bipolar disorder diagnosis. The court ruled that the charges would be dismissed if he follows a mental health treatment plan and does not break any laws for two years. “When treated, he is much better off, and society is much better off,” the judge said, adding that Lil Nas X seemed to be “doing very well.”
In the same interview, the rapper also elaborated on his sexuality in a way that fans have rarely heard. “I'm gay, but if something happens, I'm not going to stop myself,” he said. “There’s certain women every now and then, I'm like, okay, ‘You're like really like…’ you know what I mean?” He clarified, “But mostly I 99% lean towards men.” He went on to say that while he has never had sex with a woman, he sometimes experiences emotional attraction to women, though not sexual. “I'm not saying I wouldn’t,” he said. “I’m saying if like, there’s like a drunk night, I’m having a good time.”
Lil Nas X first came out as gay on the last day of Pride Month in 2019, an announcement that made headlines around the world. At the time, he was already a global phenomenon thanks to “Old Town Road,” which spent a record-breaking 19 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The song, a blend of country and hip-hop, sparked debates about genre and race, but also opened doors for a new wave of queer representation in mainstream music. His follow-up singles, such as “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” and “Industry Baby,” further cemented his place as a fearless artist unafraid to push boundaries. The music video for “Montero” featured him pole-dancing into hell and giving Satan a lap dance, provoking outrage from conservative groups but also earning critical acclaim for its unapologetic queerness.
Throughout his career, the rapper has been open about his mental health struggles. In 2021, he revealed that he had contemplated suicide and had been in therapy. He has also spoken about the pressure of being a role model for LGBTQ+ youth while navigating the music industry. His recent legal troubles and hospitalization have only intensified public interest in his well-being, and many fans have rallied around him, using social media to express support. The judge’s ruling to prioritize mental health treatment over incarceration reflects a growing awareness of the need for compassionate approaches to mental health crises, especially among celebrities who live under constant scrutiny.
The interview with TS Madison also delved into the rapper’s complicated relationship with fame and authenticity. He noted that while many people assume his persona is purely a marketing strategy, it is in fact a genuine expression of who he is. “I could just be a boring artist that just drops a song and does nothing with it and keep everything very vanilla,” he repeated. “But no, I'm here to fuck shit up and have fun.” This sentiment has resonated deeply with his fanbase, who appreciate his honesty and vulnerability as much as his music. As he continues to navigate his career and personal life, Lil Nas X remains one of the most fascinating and influential figures in contemporary pop culture.
Source: Yahoo Entertainment News