Lil Nas X hospitalized after right side of his face goes numb
Lil Nas X Suffers Facial Paralysis: Fans Rally as Pop Star Reveals Health Scare from Hospital Bed
Lil Nas X—Grammy-winning artist and viral culture disruptor—has revealed a shocking medical scare that left fans stunned and concerned. In a video posted to his Instagram Story, the “Old Town Road” star appeared visibly shaken as he shared that he had “lost control” of the right side of his face, prompting an emergency hospital visit.
Lying in a hospital bed, Lil Nas X could be seen struggling to move the right side of his face, a visible sign of partial facial paralysis. While the cause remains unknown at this time, he reassured fans in the video that he is “OK” and receiving care. Still, the unsettling clip has sparked an outpouring of love and concern from fans and peers across the music industry.
From Meme King to Music Royalty
Born Montero Lamar Hill, Lil Nas X is no stranger to going viral—but this time it wasn’t for a chart-topping hit or a cheeky tweet. Known for blending pop, rap, and country with internet-savvy antics, Lil Nas X has made a career out of surprising the world. His breakout single, “Old Town Road,” released in 2018, became a cultural phenomenon, spending a record-breaking 19 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100.
But “Old Town Road” was more than just a meme hit. It redefined genre boundaries, challenged country music’s racial gatekeeping, and marked a historic moment when Nas came out as gay while holding the No. 1 song in America—an unprecedented milestone for an artist in hip-hop and country spaces.
Following his success, Lil Nas X signed with Columbia Records and released the EP 7, which gave us the hits “Panini” and “Rodeo.” His debut album Montero (2021) elevated his status as a full-fledged pop star, powered by provocative visuals, LGBTQ+ empowerment, and chart-dominating singles like “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” and “Industry Baby.”
The Video That Shook the Internet
In the now-viral hospital video, Nas tries to smile and blink, but his right side remains frozen. Fans quickly speculated that the symptoms resemble Bell’s palsy, a temporary facial paralysis often triggered by stress or viral infections. However, Nas hasn’t confirmed a diagnosis.
Despite the gravity of the moment, Lil Nas X maintained his trademark humor and calm. Social media exploded with supportive messages from fans and fellow artists. “Sending you love and healing energy,” tweeted fans from all over. “We love you Nas,” wrote different supporters who collaborated with him on in music.
What Is Facial Paralysis?
Facial paralysis is a medical condition that results in the loss of voluntary muscle movement in the face, often leading to drooping, numbness, or difficulty with expressions like smiling or blinking. It occurs when the seventh cranial nerve—also known as the facial nerve—becomes damaged or inflamed. This nerve controls the muscles on each side of the face, and when it’s impaired, movement can be weakened or lost entirely on one side (unilateral) or, more rarely, both sides (bilateral).
The severity and duration of facial paralysis can vary. For some, it’s a temporary disruption that improves with treatment or over time. For others, it may lead to permanent changes in facial movement and function.
There are many potential causes behind this kind of nerve damage. The most common is Bell’s palsy, a condition with no clear origin that causes sudden facial paralysis—often mistaken for a stroke. Other possible causes include:
- Stroke
- Middle ear infections
- Skull fractures
- Autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis
- Tumors affecting the head, neck, or brain
- Ramsay Hunt syndrome (linked to shingles and the varicella-zoster virus)
- Lyme disease
- Sarcoidosis
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
Treatment depends on the root cause of the paralysis. It may involve antiviral medication, corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, physical therapy, or more intensive medical interventions in severe cases. Early diagnosis can make a significant difference in recovery outcomes.
Lil Nas X hasn’t publicly confirmed the cause of his facial paralysis, but his symptoms—visible in the video he shared—mirror those seen in many temporary facial nerve conditions like Bell’s palsy or Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Until more details emerge, fans and medical experts alike are hoping for a full and speedy recovery.
A Career Defined by Reinvention
Lil Nas X has made it his mission to defy expectations. Whether it’s trolling his critics with devil imagery, embracing pop maximalism, or bringing queer Black joy to the mainstream, he has never followed the rules.
His Long Live Montero tour, which spanned from September 2022 to January 2023, was a flamboyant celebration of self-love and pop spectacle. He also made waves with “Star Walkin’,” the official anthem of the 2022 League of Legends World Championship, proving his ability to cross into gaming and digital spaces with ease.
Outside of music, Nas has authored a children’s book (C is for Country), designed virtual concerts for Roblox, and released controversial merchandise like the infamous “Satan Shoes”—which sparked a Nike lawsuit but only seemed to amplify his cultural relevance.
What Comes Next?
While fans anxiously await more information on his health, Lil Nas X has continued to post updates indicating that he’s stable. But the moment has served as a sobering reminder of how fast life can shift—even for someone known for living in the fast lane of fame.
Whether the paralysis is temporary or linked to a deeper issue, it’s clear that Nas has the love and support of millions. And if history is any indication, he’ll likely turn this chapter into another moment of reinvention and resilience.
As one fan commented under a reposted video: “You’ve given us joy, now let us lift you up. You got this, king.”
Lil Nas X: A Trailblazer in Every Sense
- 2 Grammy Awards
- 5 Billboard Music Awards
- 5 MTV VMAs
- 17x Platinum “Old Town Road”
- Youngest Songwriters Hall of Fame honoree
- Named to TIME 100 and Forbes 30 Under 30
In a career marked by bold moves and viral headlines, Lil Nas X has once again captured our attention—this time in vulnerability rather than spectacle. But if there’s one thing the world knows about Montero Hill, it’s that he doesn’t just bounce back—he makes the comeback legendary.