Lil Nas X claps back at critics of gay kiss at BET Awards in typically epic fashion
The rapper replied to one troll saying: “Y’all really like to pretend homosexuality didn’t exist in African culture”.
Words: Alastair James; picture: YouTube
Lil Nas X has hit back at criticism of a kiss he shared with a backup dancer during a performance of ‘Montero (Call Me By Your Name)’ at the BET Awards on Sunday (27 June 2021).
The blockbuster production saw the star pay tribute to Michael Jackson’s ‘Remember the Time’ video with his Egyptian outfit and set design; at the end, he wrapped one arm around one dancer while made out briefly with another.
The performance (and the kiss) earned the star a standing ovation and plenty of praise from his fans, us, and seemingly most people.
“Turn the tables”
For example, the American TV personality TS Madison, who is trans, was one of many fans of the display, tweeting: “Good job #LilNasX I’ve been forced to watch Madonna kiss Britney… Beyonce give lap dances to her man and all kinds of other “straight accepted” behaviors on Tv since I was a child…
“Kiss that man on Live Tv GOOD!! Turn the tables…… [sic].”
Good job #LilNasX I’ve been forced to watch Madonna kiss Britney… Beyonce give lap dances to her man and all kinds of other “straight accepted” behaviors on Tv since I was a child…..
Kiss that man on Live Tv 📺 GOOD‼️
Turn the tables……..
— The Real Ts Madison (@TsMadisonatl1) June 28, 2021
But one person criticised Lil Nas, saying: “DONT USE AFRICAN CULTURE FOR SHITS LIKE THIS!!!!!!! RESPECT OUR ANCESTORS.”
The ‘Panini’ singer replied: “Y’all really like to pretend homosexuality didn’t exist in african culture.”
y’all really like to pretend homosexuality didn’t exist in african culture https://t.co/mGmah0CbP9
— nope 🏹 (@LilNasX) June 28, 2021
Responding to another troll, Lil Nas said: “Like the song is literally about gay sex what y’all want me to do play the piano while baking a cake?”
In response to a third, he said: “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 shit.”
The star subsequently revealed on Twitter: “It took me a lot of time to mentally prepare for this performance.”
View this post on Instagram
“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.”
The 21-year-old famously came out publicly in 2019 in a series of social media posts. Since then, he’s been unafraid of expressing his queerness through music. After all, the video to ‘Montero’ sees Lil Nas X give Satan a hot lapdance while dressed in thigh-high black boots!
Furthermore, the rapper’s performance of the track on Saturday Night Live was meant to see him pole dance during a break in the song. This would have gone ahead had his trousers not ripped before getting to the pole.
However, Lil Nas X later released video of a rehearsal for the performance complete with pole dance and without the wardrobe malfunction. Watch below!
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