Grammy-winning rapper and singer Lil Nas X has opened up to fans about a sudden health issue that has left him with partial facial paralysis. Taking to Instagram, the Old Town Road hitmaker posted a video from his hospital bed, revealing that he’s lost control of the right side of his face.
“This is me doing a full smile right now, by the way,” the 26-year-old artist said, attempting to grin but visibly struggling. “Bro, I can’t even laugh right,” he added, in a moment both candid and heartbreaking.
Despite the alarming symptoms, Lil Nas X, Montero Lamar Hill’s real name, reassured his 10.4 million Instagram followers that he’s staying positive. “I’m OK,” he said in a follow-up story, before lightening the mood with his trademark humor: “Stop being sad. Shake ur ass for me instead!”
In another post, he joked about his appearance, writing, “I’d look funny for a little bit, but that’s it.” His light-heartedness in the face of adversity drew support from fans and fellow celebrities.
Actress Taraji P. Henson commented, “Get well, baby,” while singer Shirley Manson added, “Sending you love.” Comedian Wanda Sykes also chimed in: “Sometimes your body tells you to sit down somewhere. Rest up.”
Although Lil Nas X didn’t reveal the exact cause of his condition, fans have speculated that it could be Bell’s Palsy or Ramsay Hunt Syndrome—both conditions known to cause temporary facial paralysis due to nerve inflammation or viral infections. Similar symptoms were experienced by stars like Justin Bieber, who canceled part of his 2022 tour after being diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, and Tulisa Contostavlos, who has spoken publicly about recurring Bell’s Palsy.
Still, the rapper’s spirits remain high. In one clip, he turned his face side-to-side and joked, “We’re normal over here; we get crazy over here!”
The health scare comes just as Lil Nas X has been ramping up promotions for his latest project, the “Days Before Dreamboy” EP—a prelude to his upcoming second studio album. In a recent interview with Atlanta’s Hot 107.9, he revealed the creative struggle behind his new music.
“At the top of 2024… I feel like I was very lost and trying to cater to everybody except myself,” he said, noting the pressure to always be “outrageous.” He’s since shifted focus, saying, “Sometimes I can just be on my chill side.”
In another surprising revelation at the GLAAD Awards, Lil Nas X shared that he turned down a collaboration with Taylor Swift. “She offered to let me try a verse on something, but I couldn’t catch a vibe for it,” he told E! News.