Robert Stafford, the father of recording artist Lil Nas X, has publicly addressed his son’s recent public episode and subsequent arrest. The 26-year-old performer was detained in Los Angeles after allegedly disrobing in public on a major thoroughfare and engaging in conduct that reportedly included assault upon law enforcement officers, resulting in his incarceration for several days.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Mr. Stafford stated that upon visiting his son in custody, he became overwhelmed with emotion, explaining: ‘As soon as I walked through that door, I couldn’t do anything but cry.’ He further recounted the emotional exchange during their meeting, remarking: ‘To see my child on the other side of that glass… we shed tears with each other for a moment.’
Robert Stafford, father of the recording artist professionally known as Lil Nas X and legally named Montero Hill, disclosed the statement his son requested be conveyed to the public during his period of incarceration. According to Mr. Stafford, Mr. Hill expressed: ‘Tell everybody I’m sorry they saw me like that.’ Mr. Stafford emphasized that, even while facing personal adversity, his son sought to extend an apology to the public.
Mr. Stafford further recounted that he sought to provide reassurance, advising his son that what he was experiencing was not uncommon, remarking: ‘What you’re going through is normal. We all have breakdowns every now and then, but the difference is, yours played out in the public eye.’
Subsequent to his release from custody, Mr. Hill addressed the matter directly via social media. In a video published on Instagram Stories, he characterized his four-day incarceration as ‘terrifying,’ while also assuring his audience of over 10 million followers that he was ‘going to be all right.’
The incident has resulted in the filing of four felony charges against Mr. Hill, including three counts of battery causing injury to a police officer. In the aforementioned video, recorded outdoors while he wore a lime-green cardigan, Mr. Hill began with the statement: ‘Your girl is gonna be OK, y’all,’ before looking into the camera and reiterating: ‘She’s gonna be all right.’
On the day preceding his public social media remarks, Mr. Montero Hill, professionally known as Lil Nas X, was observed departing the courthouse attired in a standard-issue blue correctional jumpsuit, following his release on bail in the amount of $75,000. His arraignment had taken place earlier that same day.
The Atlanta-born recording artist was taken into custody during the early morning hours of August 21, after law enforcement officers allegedly observed him walking unclothed along Ventura Avenue in Studio City. According to reports subsequently published by TMZ, the encounter escalated into a physical confrontation during which Mr. Hill allegedly charged at responding officers.
As a result of the incident, Mr. Hill faces multiple criminal counts, including three felony charges of battery causing injury to a police officer, as well as an additional charge of resisting an executive officer.#newsafro_
