Lil Nas X is ‘doing great’ after he was arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer while walking down the street in underwear and just cowboy boots, his lawyer said in court on Monday.
The 26-year-old pop star – born Montero Lamar Hill – was smiling ear-to-ear and wearing a leather jacket and beige pants during a brief appearance in front of a judge in Los Angeles for a hearing to set a preliminary hearing date.
The Atlanta native was arrested at around 4am on August 21 in a disturbing incident after police saw him walking down Ventura Boulevard in Studio City, leading to a confrontation in which authorities used a Taser to subdue him.
The bizarre episode was captured on video by a passing driver.
Lil Nas X is facing four felony charges, including for three counts of battery with injury on a peace officer, which could send him to state prison for up to five years if he’s convicted on all counts.
On Monday, the Call Me By Your Name singer sat quietly as his attorneys asked the judge to continue the case to March 12.
He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. A judge previously ordered him to attend meetings of Narcotics Anonymous.
‘As you can see, Montero is doing amazing, doing great and we’re happy for him,’ said one of his defense attorneys, Drew Findling, after Monday’s hearing. ‘We’re just looking forward to a positive resolution in this case, which we’re very confident of.’
Lil Nas X has been out on a $75,000 bond since he initially appeared in court on August 25 wearing blue jail garb.
He also was hospitalized for a possible overdose after cops arrested him.
On Monday, the pop star smiled and chatted with his one of his attorneys, Christy O’Connor, who gave him a high-five before the 10-minute hearing began.
He sat quietly with his newly manicured hands folded while his attorneys chatted about the next court date in March.
The singer made his first statement to his fans on August 26 after spending multiple days in jail.
In a video posted to his Instagram stories, Lil Nas X offered a message of hope to his 10.3 million followers.
‘Your girl is gonna be okay, y’all. S**t’s gonna be all right,’ the pop star said. ‘That was a terrifying last four days, but your girl is going to be alright’.
The Grammy winner has sought treatment out-of-state since his public breakdown in August, his attorneys have said.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman vowed that he would bring the musical artist to justice for his alleged attack on a group of police officers at around 5:40 a.m. on August 21.
‘Attacking police officers is more than just a crime against those individuals, but a direct threat to public safety,’ Hochman said in a statement. ‘Anyone who assaults law enforcement will face serious consequences, no matter who they are or how famous they may be.’
The Atlanta singer made a splash in music in 2018 as his country rap track Old Town Road went viral, leading to a collaboration with Billy Ray Cyrus on the same track.
He has previously collaborated with artists such as Cardi B, DaBaby and Jack Harlow.
Attorneys for the singer said he has sought treatment after the arrest.
‘We’re doing what is best for Montero from a personal standpoint, and a professional standpoint, but most importantly for his well-being,’ Findling said in a statement.
‘He is surrounded by an amazing family, an amazing team of people that care about him and love him, and we’re just addressing those issues. It’s really as simple as that.
‘He’s had a great life; he’ll continue to have a great life. This is a bump that he’s gonna get over.’
