Lil Nas X 'insecure' about sexuality

Lil Nas X performs during the BET Awards at Microsoft theatre in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 27, 2021. Picture: Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

Lil Nas X performs during the BET Awards at Microsoft theatre in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 27, 2021. Picture: Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

Published Jun 30, 2021

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Lil Nas X is “insecure” about his sexuality after being "conditioned" to "hate" himself for being gay.

The 22-year-old rapper – who is openly gay – admitted he is trying to “unlearn” attitudes he had when he was growing up and though he’s taking steps forward, he still has a “long way to go”.

Nas made the admission while responding to a homophobic backlash he received following his performance at the BET Awards on Sunday, in which he ended his “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” by passionately kissing his male back-up dancer.

One critic tweeted: "You’re so insecure about your sexuality you’re over compensating for it every chance you get. Gay people who know themselves don’t constantly have to remind everyone that they are gay."

Nas responded: "You’re right i am insecure about my sexuality. i still have a long way to go. i’ve never denied that.

"When you’re conditioned by society to hate yourself your entire life it takes a lot of unlearning.

"Which is exactly why i do what i do.(sic)”

But Nas insisted people shouldn’t have been shocked by his performance because of the themes of the song.

He wrote: “We are 4 months in and people are still acting surprised that i am being gay and sexual in performances of a song about gay and sexual s***. Like the song is literally about gay sex what y’all want me to do play the piano while baking a cake?(sic)”

The “Sun Goes Down” singer admitted he was filled with nerves about the performance as he thanked those who had offered support.

He tweeted: "It took me a lot of time to mentally prepare for this performance.

"While on stage i was trembling knowing that i was performing something like that in front of my straight peers. even during the performance i was having a hard time calming my nerves. thank you guys for the love.”

Asked why he “forced” himself to perform in the way he did, he added: "If you don’t push yourself outside of your comfort zone you will never grow."

Nas also told his critics they need to “work” on themselves.

He tweeted: "Y’all hate yourselves so much. Y’all live your lives trying your best to appease straight ppl.

"Y’all are uncomfortable with what i do because y’all are afraid they will be uncomfortable with you."

"Work on yourselves, i love who i am and whatever i decide to do. get there (sic)”

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