Lil Nas X Hospitalized with Partial Face Paralysis: What We Know So Far

Award-winning rapper and pop provocateur Lil Nas X has revealed he is suffering from partial facial paralysis, sparking concern and support across social media.

The 26-year-old artist, born Montero Lamar Hill, posted a series of Instagram updates on Monday from a hospital bed, candidly sharing his current condition with his 10.4 million followers. In the video, he attempts to smile but visibly struggles, explaining: “This is me doing a full smile right now, by the way… Bro, I can’t even laugh right.”

The Grammy-winning star, known for his viral hit Old Town Road and his unapologetically bold public persona, continued to keep the mood light despite the circumstances. In a follow-up post, he reassured fans: “I’m OK, stop being sad. Shake ur ass for me instead!” He later added humorously, “I’mma look funny for a lil bit but that’s it.”

Fans and fellow celebrities quickly flooded the comments with well-wishes and love. Actress Taraji P. Henson wrote, “Get well baby,” while rocker Shirley Manson simply shared, “Sending you love.” Comedian Wanda Sykes offered a grounded take, saying, “Sometimes your body tells you to sit down somewhere. Rest up.”

Though Lil Nas X did not reveal an official diagnosis, fans and health observers have speculated that his symptoms could point to Bell’s Palsy or Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. Both conditions involve inflammation or damage to facial nerves, typically resulting in temporary paralysis or weakness on one side of the face.

Bell’s Palsy is relatively common and often triggered by viral infections or severe stress. In contrast, Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is linked to a shingles outbreak affecting the facial nerve near the ear, sometimes accompanied by hearing loss or tinnitus. Pop star Justin Bieber was forced to postpone parts of his 2022 tour due to Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, sharing similar symptoms including an inability to blink or smile on one side of his face. Bieber has since made a full recovery.

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Singer and television personality Tulisa Contostavlos has also publicly spoken about her recurring battles with Bell’s Palsy following a horse-riding accident that caused nerve damage. Her experience underscores the importance of early treatment — she noted that episodes could last up to seven months if not addressed within the critical early window.

Despite the challenges, Lil Nas X has kept his characteristic humor and authenticity intact. In one Instagram clip, he panned the camera dramatically from one side of his face to the other, saying, “We normal over here, we get crazy over here!” The post is already being shared widely, as fans appreciate his openness and resilience.

The news comes amid a promotional push for his latest EP, Days Before Dreamboy, an eight-track teaser for the upcoming follow-up to his debut album Montero. In an earlier interview with Atlanta’s Hot 107.9, Lil Nas X admitted to going through a creative and emotional rollercoaster at the start of 2024.

“I was very lost and trying to cater to everybody except myself,” he confessed, reflecting on the pressure to maintain his provocative image and match the expectations of fans and critics alike.

He admitted that at one point, he began creating music he thought the world wanted, rather than what felt true to him: “I started trying to be outrageous all the time… but it’s like, no, sometimes I can just be on my chill [side].”

That chill side — raw, real, and refreshingly unfiltered — is precisely what’s drawing support now. Even as he faces a health setback, Lil Nas X remains an emblem of vulnerability wrapped in unapologetic confidence.

In another recent interview at the GLAAD Awards, he also made headlines by revealing he had turned down a potential collaboration with Taylor Swift. “She offered to let me try a verse on something, but I couldn’t catch a vibe for it,” he said. The comment sparked a flurry of speculation about what the track might have sounded like, and whether the collaboration might be revisited in the future.

For now, however, the artist’s focus is likely on recovery — and fans across the globe are rallying behind him. Whether through heartfelt messages or memes that reflect his own brand of humor, the sentiment is clear: Lil Nas X is not alone in this.

As he put it best: “I’mma look funny for a lil bit but that’s it.” For someone who’s made a career out of breaking boundaries and reshaping what it means to be a pop star in the modern age, this is just another challenge he’ll face head-on — with grace, grit, and just the right amount of sass.