Lil Nas X has pleaded not guilty to four charges after a chaotic arrest in Los Angeles. Videos showed the musician strutting down Ventura Boulevard wearing only cowboy boots and underwear.
According to court documents, Lil Nas X faces three counts of battery against a police officer and one count of resisting an executive officer.
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The musician, whose real name is Montero Hill, was seen online in multiple videos from bystanders. In one clip obtained by TMZ, Hill was singing and encouraging the person recording to attend “the party.” It’s unclear what event Hill was referring to.
As the video continues, Hill repeatedly asks the person recording to stop, saying: “Someone’s going to have to pay for that!”
Police response
A Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson told The Associated Press that officers responded around 6 a.m. Monday, to reports of a naked man on Ventura Boulevard.
They said Lil Nas X ran toward officers. He was taken to a hospital for a suspected drug overdose before being booked into jail.
Family speaks out
Reporters caught up with the musician’s family Monday. His father, Robert Stafford, said Hill was remorseful about the incident.
When asked if his son was taking illegal drugs, he answered, “Absolutely not.”
Fans frequently brought up previous posts and interviews from Hill being open about his mother’s history with substance abuse.
Stafford defended Hill in an Instagram post back in 2021, speaking directly about his son’s relationship with his mother and her challenges.
“Although his mom is in a struggle with an addiction… she’s STILL a QUEEN and he goes through great lengths to make sure we’re [taken] care of,” Hill’s father wrote. “I [don’t] usually address personal issues publicly but felt like this [needed] to be. Please join us in keeping her in your PRAYERS.”
Hill has also been candid with fans about his experience with depression in the past. A video that resurfaced from earlier this year shows him speaking about the difficult years he’s had.
“I’m just now arriving to this place of feeling confidence in myself and what I’m doing,” Hill said.
Lil Nas X speaks out
According to Entertainment Weekly, Hill’s lawyer, Drew Findling, also spoke to reporters, saying that Hill “never stepped in a courthouse before.”
The musician spoke out Tuesday for the first time since the incident on his Instagram Story, saying, “Your girl is going to be ok, y’all. That was f–––g terrifying.”
When reporters asked Findling about any substance abuse or medical conditions, Findling said: “There’s no way for us to know right now. Just know that we’re going to do our very best to address those issues.”
Lil Nas X was released Monday on $75,000 bail. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said in a press release that he could face up to five years in jail if convicted.
“Attacking police officers is more than just a crime against those individuals, but a direct threat to public safety,” said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman. “Anyone who assaults law enforcement will face serious consequences, no matter who they are or how famous they may be.”
Hill’s pretrial hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15.
