Lil Nas X has provided a heartfelt update on his mental health journey, revealing that he has been receiving treatment and therapy following his arrest in 2025. In a nearly three-minute video posted to Instagram on Wednesday, the musician, born Montero Lamar Hill, shared that he spent several months in rehab and has since returned to his hometown of Atlanta and his residence in Los Angeles.
Background of the Arrest
The update comes after an incident last summer when Lil Nas X was charged with attacking Los Angeles police officers. In April, a judge permitted the 27-year-old to enter a mental health diversion program, which could lead to the dismissal of charges if he complies with treatment and obeys the law for two years. The court determined that his encounter with police was linked to his recently diagnosed bipolar disorder and was an aberration from his typical behavior.
Opening Up About Bipolar Disorder
In the video, Lil Nas X publicly discussed his mental health diagnosis for the first time. “I have a therapist now and a psychiatrist, which has been really helpful,” he said. “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.”
He added, “I’m doing much better,” after joking about living life on “extreme hard mode.” “I’m feeling better. I’m creating freely. And there’s less fear in my heart,” he expressed.
Understanding Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness characterized by dramatic shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration. These shifts range from manic episodes of extreme elation or irritability to depressive episodes of sadness or hopelessness.
New Music on the Horizon
Shifting gears, Lil Nas X announced, “I’ve been doing music for seven years now. I wanted to let you guys know there is new music on the way.” He directly addressed his fans, saying, “I love you and all I want to do is continue to try to make you proud and make myself proud.”
Details of the Arrest
Lil Nas X was arrested in August 2024 and briefly hospitalized for a suspected overdose after police responded to reports of a naked man walking on a busy boulevard in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley. Authorities allege he charged at officers, resulting in three officers being injured. Photos and video from before the confrontation showed him walking in the street in only white briefs and white boots.
After three days in jail, he was released on $75,000 bail with the condition of attending drug treatment. He pleaded not guilty to three counts of battery with injury on a police officer and one count of resisting an executive officer. In his first public comments, he posted a video saying, “These last four days have been terrifying,” but added with a laugh, “your girl is going to be OK.”
Career Highlights
The Atlanta-raised artist is best known for his 2018 hit Old Town Road, which spent a record 19 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won two Grammys. His debut studio album, Montero (2021), reached No. 2 on the Billboard album chart and earned a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. Other hits include Industry Baby and Montero (Call Me by Your Name).
