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Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Lil Nas X says he felt "unsafe" after releasing his controversial music video for his song "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)." The 22-year-old singer and rapper, who publicly came out as gay in July 2019, discussed his experience with homophobia and his new album in an interview with Variety published Wednesday.
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Lil Nas X released a video for "Montero" in March that shows him pole dancing down to hell, where he seduces the devil. He has since released a video for the song "Industry Baby" that shows him dancing nude with other men in a prison shower.
In the interview, Lil Nas X said the COVID-19 pandemic helped him embrace himself and his sexuality, which can be seen in his music.
"Honestly, I believe the pandemic helped me get out of the idea of trying to please everybody, and the idea of 'He's a cool gay person; he's an acceptable gay person,'" the singer said. "I used to see things like that as a compliment, but it's not. It just means you're a people pleaser, and they never become legends."
"I wanted to be even more authentic in my music and let people into my life. I'm much more confident now -- in my music, myself, my sexuality, the things that I believe that I stand for," he added.
In spite of his newfound confidence, Lil Nas X has received hate, including from fellow rappers such as DaBaby. Lil Nas X said he hasn't addressed homophobia in the industry due to concerns for his safety.
"The honest truth is, I don't want to speak on a lot of the homophobia within rap because I feel like this is a very dangerous playing field," he said. "It's more for my own safety rather than anything else."
Lil Nas X confirmed there have been times where he's felt unsafe.
"Yeah, a lot of of times, absolutely," he said. "Especially after ['Montero']. There was literally someone who chased my car a few days after that video came out, yelling, '[Expletive] you!' or something. And that's when I actually started getting security."
"Montero" will appear on Lil Nas X's forthcoming album of the same name. Lil Nas X will release the album before the end of the summer and said it is a "much more personal" project than his pre-pandemic music.
