Lil Nas X says he’s ‘feeling better’ after rehab and bipolar diagnosis
Lil Nas X has opened up about his mental health journey, telling fans he’s “feeling better” following a stint in rehabilitation and a formal diagnosis of bipolar disorder — his first public comments since a turbulent year that included an arrest for allegedly attacking police officers.
What happened last year
The rapper, born Montero Lamar Hill, was arrested in 2023 after an altercation involving law enforcement. Details at the time were sparse, but the incident rattled fans and industry insiders alike. He was 24 years old when the arrest occurred. Shortly after, his team confirmed he had entered a residential treatment facility, though they declined to specify which one or for how long he would stay.
It was a jarring fall from grace for an artist who had rocketed to fame with “Old Town Road” in 2019, a song that spent a record-breaking 19 consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
‘Feeling better’ — the artist speaks
In a statement shared across his social media platforms, which collectively reach over 30 million followers, Lil Nas X said he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder during his time in treatment. “I’ve been going through a lot privately for a long time,” he wrote. “Getting the diagnosis was actually a relief. Now I know what I’m dealing with.” He added that he’s “feeling better than I have in years.”
That’s not nothing. For someone who built a career on radical transparency — coming out as gay the same week “Old Town Road” hit number one — admitting to a mental health struggle still takes a different kind of courage.
Bipolar disorder and public figures
Bipolar disorder affects an estimated 2.8 percent of U.S. adults, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. It’s characterized by extreme mood episodes, ranging from manic highs to depressive lows, and it often goes undiagnosed for years. The average delay between symptom onset and diagnosis is around 6 years.
Dr. Sarah Kellerman, a psychiatrist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital who is not involved in Lil Nas X’s care, said public disclosures like this one carry real weight. “When someone with that kind of platform talks openly about a bipolar diagnosis, it genuinely reduces stigma for people who are quietly suffering and haven’t sought help yet,” she said.
What’s next for Lil Nas X
His team hasn’t announced any upcoming tour dates or album projects yet, and that’s probably intentional. Recovery doesn’t run on a label’s release calendar. But he did hint in his statement that he’s been writing music again — “just for myself, for now.”
Fans and industry observers will be watching closely. Still, if the past six years have shown anything, it’s that Lil Nas X has a habit of turning hard moments into defining ones. And this time, he says he’s got a clearer picture of himself than ever before.
