Lil Nas X’s Dad Shares Emotional Reaction To His Son Coming Out

Lil Nas X’s father is looking back on one of the most defining moments of his son’s life, the night the chart-topping rapper decided to publicly share his truth. Long before "Old Town Road" became a cultural phenomenon, Lil Nas X, born Montero Hill, was just a kid growing up in Atlanta. He spent his early years with his mother, but by the age of 10 his father, Robert Stafford, had taken over full custody amid her struggles with addiction.

Lil Nas X Goes From Atlanta Roots To Global Fame

At the height of "Old Town Road"’s success in June 2019, Lil Nas X made the bold decision to come out publicly during Pride Month. He teased the announcement with a tweet urging fans to listen closely to his track "C7osure (You Like)," a song about self-acceptance and embracing change. Hours later, he confirmed his sexuality outright, posting a rainbow emoji alongside a message that he thought had been “obvious.”

The news made headlines around the world, instantly positioning him as one of the most high-profile openly gay artists in hip-hop. His choice was hailed as groundbreaking, though it also drew backlash from critics and conservative voices. Still, the move marked a turning point in his career, with Lil Nas X leaning fully into LGBTQ+ representation in his music and videos, most famously in "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)."

Robert Stafford Recalls The Moment His Son Came Out

Behind the scenes, though, the moment was even more personal. Before making his announcement public, Montero picked up the phone to tell his father. Robert Stafford said he already suspected his son was gay, but wanted to make sure he knew he had unconditional support.

“I told him, ‘No matter what, you’re my child. I will always love you, no matter your sexual preferences,’” Stafford told The Times.

Lil Nas X’s Dad Sparked His Musical Dreams With An MP3 Player Of Usher Songs

Stafford, a gospel performer who also dabbles in inspirational music, recognized his son’s artistic spark early on. One of his first gifts to Montero was a simple MP3 player packed with Usher songs, a small gesture that would help fuel a much bigger dream.

Academically gifted, Hill enrolled in the University of West Georgia to study computer science, but the pull of music proved stronger. Against his father’s initial wishes, he left school to pursue a career in the industry. In late 2018, he scraped together $50, $20 for a studio session and $30 for a beat, to create what would become "Old Town Road." The genre-bending track exploded on social media before dominating the Billboard Hot 100 for a record-shattering 19 weeks, catapulting him from college dropout to international superstar almost overnight.

From Grammy Wins To 'Montero'

By January 2020, Lil Nas X was at the top of the industry, scoring six Grammy nominations and winning two, including Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. He followed with the 2021 album "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)," which debuted at No. 2 in the U.S. and included chart-topping singles.

The music video for the album’s lead single, where he infamously gave the devil a lap dance, drew criticism from conservatives but also underscored his commitment to unapologetic self-expression.

While he hasn’t released a full project since "Montero," Lil Nas X’s long-awaited new album, "Dreamboy," is expected this year. For Stafford, the focus has always been on his son’s authenticity, both as an artist and as a person.

“I will always love him,” Stafford said. “What matters most is that he’s true to himself, and he is.”

Lil Nas X Faces Felony Charges After Shocking Los Angeles Arrest

Lil Nas X’s meteoric rise has now collided with serious legal trouble. In late August 2025, the 26-year-old artist was taken into custody in Los Angeles after a chaotic incident that ended with him facing multiple felony charges, including three counts of battery on a police officer and one count of resisting an executive officer.

The arrest came after widely circulated footage showed the Grammy winner wandering a city street dressed only in cowboy boots and underwear, before being transported to a hospital for what was reported as a suspected overdose.

Montero Hill, as he is legally known, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was freed on a $75,000 bond but must comply with a court order to enter drug treatment. If he is found guilty, the rapper could be staring down a potential five-year prison sentence.