Lil Nas X is finally back on the grid and giving fans a well-needed update following his wild, and terrifying chapter that had everyone deeply concerned about him.
Remember last August when the 26-year-old superstar was arrested in Studio City after police found him wandering down Ventura Boulevard in his underwear? Things got real messy, leading to serious felony charges for resisting arrest and battery on an officer. Following the incident, a judge granted him a mental health diversion program, and the “Old Town Road” singer completely ghosted the spotlight.
RELATED: Lil Nas X Ordered To Mental Health Diversion Program After His Arrest In August
Now, Lil Nas is officially checking back in, dropping a deeply personal video update that lets the world know exactly where he’s been and what’s been going on in his head. Standing under a clear blue sky and looking healthier than ever, Lil Nas revealed that he’s spent the last few months out of state in an intensive rehab facility, trying to put the pieces back together. “I’ve been in rehab for a few months,” he shared. “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 what not… trying to ground myself down to earth and get out of my head.”
But the biggest revelation came when Nas opened up about his mental health, officially confirming a diagnosis that he had been running from for years. He explained that he now has a solid support system in place, including a therapist and a psychiatrist, which helped him accept his bipolar disorder.
<blockquote>”I got my bipolar disorder diagnosis,” he revealed, keeping it totally real about why he avoided it for so long. “I feel like I had known for like the past few years, but I didn’t want to admit to it because I didn’t want to have to take medication and, I don’t know, have people think different of me.”</blockquote>
True to form, the Grammy-winning artist couldn’t help but add a little of his signature humor to the heavy moment, laughing about the intersectional struggles of his identity. He joked about how stacking up labels feels like playing a video game against all odds. “I’m already like black and gay. Like, damn God, give me like—come on. Black, gay, bipolar? I’m like living life on like extreme hard mode!”
Jokes aside, the pop-rap star made it clear that taking a step back to heal was the best decision he could’ve made, noting that the fear in his heart is finally clearing out. “On a serious note, like, I’m doing much better. I’m feeling better. I’m creating freely,” he said with a smile. “I’m smelling the roses, man. It’s been seven years… I’ve been doing music for seven years now, that’s crazy.”
He also teased that new music is officially on the way, promising fans that this next chapter is going to be something special. Before wrapping up, he made sure to send major love to the fanbase that stood by him through the madness, saying, “Thank you guys for holding me down. I love you, and all I wanna do is continue to try to make you proud and make myself proud. So, let’s go dreamboy, let’s go.”