Lil Nas X spoke candidly about his mental health and musical future in a new video message released nearly one year after his high-profile arrest.
“I’ve been in rehab for a few months, and then since then I’ve been, you know, back at home — whether it’s in Atlanta with my family or in Los Angeles with myself, friends and whatnot — and trying to ground myself down to Earth and get out of my head,” the “Old Town Road” rapper, 27, said in the nearly three-minute clip posted to his Instagram on Wednesday, June 17. “I have a therapist now and a psychiatrist, which has been really helpful.”
He continued, “When I got my bipolar disorder diagnosis, I feel like I had known for the past few years, but I didn’t want to admit to it ’cause I didn’t want to have to take medication and, I don’t know, have people think different of me. I mean, I’m already, like, Black and gay — like, damn, God, give me [a break].”
Lil Nas X then assured his 9.7 followers, “I’m doing better. I’m feeling better.”
Lil Nas X (real name Montero Lamar Hill) was arrested and briefly hospitalized in August 2025 after being seen walking without clothing on Ventura Boulevard in Los Angeles. He was later charged with four felonies: three counts of battery with injury on a police officer and one count of resisting arrest. The “Industry Baby” singer pleaded not guilty.
Lil Nas X subsequently spent two months in an Arizona inpatient treatment center, where he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Since returning home, the Grammy winner has followed a “rigorous mental health regimen,” which includes regular visits with a psychiatrist and a psychotherapist, according to his lawyer Christy O’Connor.
In April, an L.A. judge agreed to dismiss the charges against Lil Nas X if he continued with his outpatient treatment program and did not break any additional laws for two consecutive years.
“When treated, he is much better off, and society is much better off,” Judge Alan Schneider said at the time, adding that he believed the behaviors that led to the “Panini” rapper’s arrest were “aberrant from his normal conduct.”
After the hearing, Lil Nas X told reporters outside the courthouse that he was “very thankful” for the judge’s decision and acknowledged that the outcome “could have been much worse.”
Since his legal issues, the “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” singer has not released any new music, but he teased in Wednesday’s video that he is preparing a comeback.
“I wanted to let you guys know that there is new music on the way,” he told his fans, adding that he is “excited” for his “next chapter.”
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