The American pop star Lil Nas X has revealed he is recovering well following a period in rehab and a subsequent diagnosis of bipolar disorder, according to bbc.com.
The 27-year-old musician, whose real name is Montero Hill, shared the update in a three-minute Instagram video on June 18, marking his first significant public address since his arrest in Los Angeles last August.
The Grammy Award-winning artist spent several months in a rehabilitation facility before returning to his family home in Atlanta. His hiatus followed an incident last summer where he was charged with attacking Los Angeles police officers after being discovered walking the streets in his underwear. Hill previously entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.
In April, a judge permitted the singer to enter a diversionary mental health programme. The court noted that Hill’s behaviour during the incident was uncharacteristic, and completion of the scheme will result in the legal charges being dismissed.
Addressing his followers from an outdoor setting, Hill admitted he had suspected his condition for several years but resisted an official diagnosis due to fears regarding medication and public perception. He noted that navigating life as a Black, gay man with bipolar disorder felt like living “on extreme hard mode”, but reassured fans that he is now creating freely with less fear.
The Georgia-born musician rose to international prominence with his breakout single Old Town Road, which achieved a record-breaking 19-week run at number one on the US charts. He later solidified his status as a prominent queer icon with hit singles Montero (Call Me By Your Name) and Industry Baby, and performed on the Glastonbury Pyramid Stage in 2023.
While Hill indicated that he is not fully prepared to return to the demands of pop stardom immediately, he confirmed that new music is in development and thanked his fan base for their continued support.
Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition marked by severe shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels. The diagnosis aligns Hill with a growing number of high-profile musicians speaking openly about mental health challenges, challenging long-standing stigmas within the hip-hop and pop music industries.
•Featured image: Lil Nas X/Instagram
