Lil Nas X: I considered taking my sexuality to the grave
Lil Nas X attends the 2019 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Paras Griffin/Getty)
Lil Nas X has addressed the lack of inclusion in hip-hop and country music, after quietly coming out as gay.
The chart-topping “Old Town Road” singer opened up about his sexuality in a series of tweets on June 30, on the day of New York’s World Pride celebrations.
Lil Nas X: I was considering never coming out
The announcement was met with both messages of support and abuse online, and on Friday (July 5) the singer opened up about his experience in an interview with BBC Breakfast.
The 20-year-old star explained: “I kind of revealed, you know… that I am gay.
“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.
“I’m also opening doors for more people.”
Old Town Road rapper @LilNasX has seen a backlash since he came out earlier this week – but he tells @BBCBreakfast he’s taking it with a sense of humour. pic.twitter.com/9HT9Y4F8ft
— BBC Entertainment (@BBCNewsEnts) July 5, 2019
Addressing his fans, Lil Nas X said: “[I hope] that they feel more comfortable.
“Especially within the country and hip-hop communities, it’s not really accepting in either.”
Lil Nas X ‘not angry’ about homophobic abuse
Asked if he was expecting backlash for coming out, Lil Nas X added: “I’m already getting it! Learning the internet over the past couple years, I used to be that person being negative.
“I’m not angry or anything, because I understand they want that reaction. I’m just going to joke back with them.”
In his coming out tweets, Lil Nas X wrote: “Some of y’all already know, some of y’all don’t care, some of y’all not gone fwm no more. But before this month ends I want y’all to listen closely to c7osure,” referring to his album cover, which features a building lit up with a rainbow.
He later confirmed he was LGBT+, tweeting: “Deadass thought I made it obvious.”
Lil Nas X performs onstage at the 2019 BET Awards on June 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Kevin Winter/Getty)
Responding to homophobic abuse after the announcement, he added: “just got news that i’m gay and [people] will no longer be streaming my music. i’m sorry that shit is just not ok.”
On Instagram he posted a photo of a sad cowboy emoji, adding: “say one more home of phobic thing to me.”
Lil Nas X previously saw his hit track “Old Town Road” booted off the US Billboard Country charts, with the company claiming it “does not embrace enough elements of today’s country music.”
However, the song made its way back into the country charts this week, after the singer recorded a new version featuring Billy Ray Cyrus.
