A concerning incident involving music star Lil Nas X recently grabbed headlines. Reports indicate the "Old Town Road" rapper was hospitalized after being found walking around Los Angeles wearing only his underwear.
Police responded early Thursday morning, August 21, just before 6 AM. Calls came in about a "naked man walking on the street" along Ventura Boulevard. While officers did not name the individual at the scene, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirmed a suspect attempted to "assault an officer." This led to the person being booked for "assault on a law enforcement officer."
Entertainment news outlet TMZ later identified the individual as Lil Nas X, whose birth name is Montero Lamar Hill. The 26-year-old was reportedly taken to a hospital for medical attention. Police expect to formally charge and book him with the LAPD once he is released from treatment. Viral images from the scene showed Lil Nas X, at one point, putting a traffic cone on his head. He was reportedly muttering about attending a party during the incident. His team was sought for comment regarding these events.
A History of Openness About Personal Struggles
This public incident comes as Lil Nas X has been candid about his personal battles. He has spoken before about his family’s history with addiction. He also shared his own past excessive marijuana use. These experiences often coincided with difficult times in his life. He notably mourned the loss of fellow rappers Nipsey Hussle, XXXTentacion, and Juice Wrld. XXXTentacion and Hussle were shot and killed in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Juice Wrld died from a drug overdose in December 2019.
In an interview with Variety, Lil Nas X reflected on his difficult rise to fame. "So many things happened during my come-up," he explained. "You know, drugs and murders." He also recalled the painful passing of his grandmother in 2018, which was his first close experience with death. "It was devastating," he added. The experience made him a hypochondriac, causing him to wake up with a racing heart. He described it as terrifying. During this period, he admitted to smoking marijuana too much as a way to self-medicate. "Then I started feeling more connected to the universe, seeing everything as a sign," he recalled from that time.
Lil Nas X in June 2024. Leon Bennett/Getty Images
Recent Health Challenges and Music Career
Beyond his mental health journey, Lil Nas X has faced notable physical health issues in recent months. In April, he shared that he had been hospitalized after "losing control of the right side of his face." The two-time Grammy winner posted pictures showing that the right side of his face was still, unlike the left. However, just two days later, he offered a hopeful update. He confirmed he had regained some movement in his facial muscles. "I’ve been chewing a lot to strengthen this muscle," he shared in an Instagram video. He added, "It’s so much better, it’s so much better. My eye still needs to catch up. But now I can truly smile, so that’s good."
Despite these personal challenges, Lil Nas X has been busy with his music career. He has spent the last three years working on his second studio album, Dreamboy. The album is set to include collaborations with big names like Beyoncé, Jermaine Dupri, and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Nile Rodgers. A release date for Dreamboy has not yet been announced.
His debut album, Montero, released in 2021, was a huge success. It achieved double platinum status in the U.S. and hit number 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. Montero was nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards. Its main single, "Montero (Call Me by Your Name)," also received nominations for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Music Video at the 2022 Grammy ceremony.