Lil Nas X updates on his rehab journey
Our queer fave seems to be doing okay.
Lil Nas X posted a video update to his Instagram – sharing that he “has been in rehab for a few months” and since then, has returned home to Atlanta, where he is from and his family lives, and Los Angeles, where he resides.
The stint in rehab - or mental health diversion programme - was court-ordered following Lil Nas X's 2025 arrest and charges of assault in Los Angeles.
“I have a therapist now and a psychiatrist, which has been really helpful..." shared Lil Nas X in the Insta update. "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.”
“I’m doing much better...” he continued. “I’m feeling better. I’m creating freely. And there’s less fear in my heart.”
Bipolar disorder is a condition that causes dramatic shifts in mood, energy, activity levels and concentration. These range from periods of extremely elated, irritable or energised behavior – known as manic episodes – to very sad, indifferent or hopeless periods, known as depressive episodes.
How did we get here?
Arrested in Los Angeles in the early hours of 21 August 2025, Lil Nas X was booked with four felony charges to which he entered a plea of not guilty.
After spending three days in detention, Lil Nas appeared in court on 25 August to enter his plea. His bail was set at USD$75K.
LA police charged Lil Nas with three felony counts of battery with injury to a police officer and one felony count of resisting arrest.
Officers reportedly found the 26-year-old rapper and singer walking along Ventura Boulevard in the Studio City neighbourhood shortly before 6 AM. Lil Nas was reportedly wearing only underwear and cowboy boots and said that he was going to a party.
The police initially took Lil Nas to hospital because they suspected a drug overdose. He was subsequently released from hospital and taken into custody.
Statements from the father of Lil Nas X described Lil Nas X as having had some sort of mental breakdown.
His father and legal advisers have pushed back on suggestions that drugs may be an issue for Lil Nas X.
If convicted of the felonies, Lil Nas X was facing up to five years in jail.
During the preliminary hearing process, a judge granted the request from the lawyers for Lil Nas X for him to be allowed to enter a mental health diversion programme.
If Lil Nas X successfully completes the programme - and stays out of trouble for the next two years - the charges against him will be dropped.
Diversion programme orders such as this are relatively common in the US - particularly where the defendant has no prior convictions.
In making the order, Judge Schneider found that the behaviour that resulted in the assault charges related to Lil Nas X's bipolar diagnosis.
The court will review the matter in April 2028 to confirm that the conditions of the order have been met and that the charges can be dropped.
When will Lil Nas X release more music?
Lil Nas X has a new album in the pipeline - "Dreamboy" was scheduled to be released late 2025.
Postponed due to his arrest, it's not clear when Dreamboy will be released.
The coming out story
At the peak of his Old Town Road fame, Lil Nas X came out in one of the most nonchalant ways possible.
“Deadass thought I made it obvious…” he Tweeted, along with an image of the song’s artwork – a rainbow-coloured skyscraper.
“It was something I was considering just never doing ever, just taking to the grave or something, but I don’t want to live my entire life not doing what I want to do…” explained Lil Nas X, subsequently explaining in media interviews why he decided to publicly discuss his sexuality as a gay man. “I’m also opening doors for more people.”
Since talking publicly about his sexuality, Lil Nas has been setting the standard for gay celebrities - leaning into the faggotry at every opportunity. We love to see it.
Gareth Johnson