Lil Nas X is speaking out publicly for the first time following his arrest in Los Angeles last week, where he was charged with four felony counts.
The Grammy-winning rapper and global hitmaker, best known for “Old Town Road” and “Industry Baby”, reassured fans in a new video message that he is safe and focused on moving forward.
Lil Nas X Addresses Fans After Pleading Not Guilty
On Tuesday, the rapper—whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill—uploaded a video to his Instagram Story. In it, he addressed the concerns of his 15 million followers after pleading not guilty to the charges during his Monday arraignment.
“Your girl is gonna be okay, y’all,” Lil Nas X said in the clip. “Okay? She’s gonna be alright. S—.”
The 26-year-old musician laughed nervously before admitting just how overwhelming the past few days had been.
“That was f—ing terrifying. That was terrifying. That was a terrifying last four days. But your girl is gonna be alright.”
Details of Lil Nas X’s Arrest in Los Angeles
Lil Nas X was arrested early Thursday morning in the Studio City neighborhood of Los Angeles. According to police reports, officers encountered him walking nude in the street around 6 a.m.
Authorities allege that when officers confronted him, he charged toward them, leading to his arrest. Suspecting a possible drug overdose, police transported him to a local hospital before booking him at an area jail.
TMZ first broke the news, publishing video footage from bystanders who spotted the rapper wandering in Los Angeles. In one clip, he appeared to be partially clothed, while in another, he was fully nude. One individual later claimed to have taken Lil Nas X’s discarded boots from the scene and even listed them on eBay for $10,000.
The Charges: Four Felonies Filed
Prosecutors confirmed that Lil Nas X faces four felony charges, three counts of battery against a police officer and one count of resisting an executive officer
At his arraignment on Monday, Lil Nas X pleaded not guilty to all charges. His bail was set at $75,000, and a Los Angeles judge ordered him to attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings upon release.
He was released from custody that same afternoon.
Family and Legal Team Speak Out
Before Lil Nas X broke his silence online, his father, Robert Stafford, assured fans that his son was “in good spirits.”
“He’s very remorseful for what happened,” Stafford told reporters, captured on video by TMZ. “He’s going to get the help that he needs. We shed tears, we shared laughter, but he’s in great spirits. God is good.”
His attorney, Drew Findling, also addressed the press, noting that this was the rapper’s first time ever stepping into a courthouse.
Findling urged compassion, adding:
“There’s no way for us to know right now if this was substance-related, medical, or emotional. Anybody that has kids, you hear about things like this all the time. He’s 26 years old, and it’s not unusual for something like this to happen—especially under the pressure of being internationally recognized.”
He asked fans and critics alike “not to judge somebody by the worst moment in their life.”
Lil Nas X’s Social Media Wipe and Music Speculation
Prior to the arrest, fans noticed unusual activity on Lil Nas X’s social media. He wiped his Instagram page and posted cryptic messages, sparking speculation about a new music era.
He also shared snippets of unreleased tracks and behind-the-scenes photos, which many interpreted as teasers for his next studio project.
Lil Nas X, who is signed to Columbia Records, first rose to global stardom in 2019 with “Old Town Road”, which became the longest-running No. 1 single in Billboard Hot 100 history. His debut studio album, Montero (2021), spawned multiple hits including “Industry Baby” and “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)”.
Most recently, he released the EP Days Before Dreamboy in March 2025, further cementing his reputation as one of pop music’s most daring and innovative voices.
