Authorities hospitalized and arrested Lil Nas X after an unusual early morning encounter that drew strong reactions online. The 26-year-old performer, born Montero Hill, appeared disoriented while walking along Ventura Boulevard in Studio City around 4 a.m. on Thursday, August 21, 2025.
A netizen’s reaction to Lil Nas X’s bizarre video, posted on August 21, 2025 | Source: Instagram/lilnasx
According to TMZ, the Grammy-winning artist wore nothing but underwear and cowboy boots, placed a traffic cone on his head, and muttered about going to a party — a scene bystanders captured on video that prompted multiple 911 calls about a nude man in the road.
When the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers arrived, they found Lil Nas X still in the street. He allegedly charged at them, leading officers to subdue and handcuff him.
Paramedics responded shortly after and treated the incident as a possible overdose. They transported the musician to a nearby hospital, where he remained under medical care.
At 6:10 a.m., police booked him on a misdemeanor charge of obstructing an officer, according to public arrest records and a report released by TMZ. Officials have not filed additional charges but confirmed the incident remains under review.
Just hours before the early morning encounter, Lil Nas X posted a photo on Instagram showing a brightly decorated wall covered in colorful doodles, phrases, and abstract designs. He captioned it, “u see the world…. They let me know 💗[sic].”
The post featured original audio, with part of the caption echoing the words heard in the clip. The mix of playful artwork and cryptic messaging drew reactions from followers, who later connected it to the unusual events in Los Angeles.
One Instagram user speculated, “I lowkey wouldn’t be surprised if it’s staged for a song release, outta pocket yes but could be what it is. Sorry if that seems insensitive but it’s still a practical possibility [sic].”
Another wrote, “this seems like a cry for help 😭 let this boy release his music pls!!! [sic]” A different fan pleaded, “Montero pls come back mane I miss you 😢 [sic].”
Concerns over Lil Nas X’s well-being are not new. In April, he shared a now-removed Instagram video from a hospital bed showing that the right side of his face had become temporarily paralyzed.
Wearing a hospital gown and a Von Dutch cap, he tried to smile for the camera, but showed that the right side of his face would not move. He expressed frustration and disbelief at not being able to laugh properly.
According to People, Lil Nas X appeared to be suffering from Bell’s palsy, a condition that causes temporary paralysis, usually on one side of the face.
Shortly afterward, he reassured fans through Instagram Stories, “Guys I am OK!! Stop being sad for me! Shake Ur ass for me instead [sic]!” and added, “Imma look funny for a lil but but that’s it 😭😭[sic].”
In a series of clips, he described becoming the first in his family to attend college, but also battling depression and loneliness during that time. He revealed that his grandmother passed away while he was still in school, deepening his struggles.
Lil Nas X in his graduation gown with family, reflecting on depression and the loss of his grandmother during college, as posted in February 2017 | Source: TikTok/lilnasx
The rapper went on to say that the stress fueled a fear of dying young, which led him to visit doctors frequently. He described this pattern as hypochondria.
According to the Mayo Clinic, hypochondria — also called illness anxiety disorder — is excessive worry about having or developing a serious illness, even without symptoms.
Lil Nas X shared that he developed a health condition, often visiting doctors out of fear for his well-being, as posted in in February 2017 | Source: TikTok/lilnasx
Lil Nas X also shared that in May 2018, he began making music and briefly felt happy again after moving in with his sister. However, his circumstances shifted once more — he said his sister later asked him to leave, his brother left for the military, and his songs stopped gaining traction.
Lil Nas X recalled setbacks in 2017, including family struggles and stalled music, as posted in February 2017 | Source: TikTok/lilnasx
By November of the same year, Lil Nas X recalled moving in with another brother in a home where he said domestic violence occurred daily.
The video ended on a turning point: despite the setbacks, he noted that “something happened,” hinting at the breakthrough that would soon change his life.
That breakthrough came in 2019, when he released “Old Town Road,” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus. According to Billboard, the song went on to spend a record-breaking 19 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100, the longest run ever in the chart’s history.
Lil Nas X attends the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 2, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
In it, he described the fear he once carried about being openly gay, admitting he had promised himself never to come out publicly. He explained that breaking that promise could open doors for other queer people to live freely and authentically.
“the agenda to make people stay the f— out of other people’s lives and stop dictating who they should be. sending you love from the future [sic],” he shared.
Lil Nas X visits the Spotify House during CMA Fest at Ole Red in Nashville on June 6, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
Two months later, in May, he announced the video for “Sun Goes Down,” explaining that the single reflected his younger self’s struggles with isolation, self-hatred, and not wanting to live. He said the project aimed to uplift that younger version of himself while offering hope to others facing similar challenges.
