Nearly a year after his arrest and a court-mandated mental health diversion program, Lil Nas X shared an update describing ongoing treatment, including a therapist and psychiatrist, and said he’s “doing much better.”
Lil Nas X sounded like someone breathing easier when he posted his mental health update to social media—nearly a year after his arrest and the start of a court-mandated mental health diversion program.
In a video that ran long enough to feel like a real check-in, the Grammy-winning rapper explained how his days have changed since entering the program. He said he now has a therapist and psychiatrist, “which has been really helpful.”
He also talked through the moment his diagnosis became unavoidable. “When I got my bipolar disorder diagnosis, I feel like I had known for the past few years but I [didn’t] want to admit to it because I didn’t want to have to take medication and have people think different of me,” he said.
Then he tied the personal to the public in a line that landed hard. “I’m already Black and gay, like damn, God. Come on, Black, gay and bipolar?. I’m living life on extreme hard mode. On a serious note, I’m doing much better, I’m feeling better. I’m creating freely and there’s less fear in my heart and I’m smelling the roses.”.
He didn’t stop there. Lil Nas X added that he’s continuing music work—“I’ve been doing music for seven years now”—and told viewers that there’s new music on the way, saying, “I’m not getting completely to it just yet, but I’m excited to do that.”
The update comes after a chaotic summer of legal trouble and serious health concerns. In August, Lil Nas X was charged with four felonies over suspicion of battery on an officer. After that incident, he was hospitalized for a possible drug overdose.
The August case included a moment that drew immediate attention: he was reportedly walking around Studio City wearing nothing but underwear and cowboy boots. During his arraignment, he pleaded not guilty, and he was facing up to five years in prison if convicted.
By April, the situation shifted in court. Judge Alan Schneider determined that Lil Nas X’s behavior was “aberrant from his normal conduct” and was related to his bipolar diagnosis. The judge also ruled that the assault charges would be cleared on the condition that Lil Nas X complies with his mental health treatment plans and does not get into any trouble with the law for the next two years.
The sequence is stark: an arrest and hospitalization in August, then a court finding in April that linked the behavior to bipolar disorder, and now a public update describing ongoing treatment—therapy, psychiatric care, and a creative life he says he can approach with less fear.
Lil Nas X mental health update bipolar disorder therapist psychiatrist court-mandated mental health diversion program Studio City battery on an officer Judge Alan Schneider new music
So he got diagnosed and now it’s all good? Court said bipolar not assault… sure.
I don’t even know what to believe anymore like underwear + boots in Studio City??? That’s what I keep seeing. But if he’s actually doing therapy and meds then okay, I guess.
Replying to Troy Henderson: bipolar explains a lot but also people are acting like he didn’t do anything?? If he was overdosing how is he “smelling the roses” already. This feels like PR like right on time for new music.
I saw “mental health diversion” and thought it meant he avoided jail completely, which is wild. Then the judge cleared assault charges if he behaves for two years, so like… what happens if he has another episode? Also “didn’t want to take medication” like okay but bipolar doesn’t just go away from vibes.