On Twitter, we see Lil Nas X the troll. In his music, we hear Lil Nas X the musician. And in his new documentary, the “J Christ” singer hopes to give viewers a glimpse of Lil Nas X the human.
“Some people think my music is dope. Some people see me as this satanic devil. But me?” he reflects while laying down.
The trailer shows clips of his upbringing as he was grappling with deep anxiety attacks, and videos from his performances as he talks about the struggles of coming out to his family. (Lil Nas came out publicly on World Pride Day in 2019.)
“I’m always trying to challenge the way my family thinks of things,” he says, later adding, “So many queer people are making these strides, but it’s a fight.”
In one of the clips, he tries on a short skirt and practices how he’ll greet his father and family members.
“There are still parts of myself that I’m still learning to accept but we’re getting closer,” he says.
The concert documentary Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero — which previously premiered at last year’s Toronto Film Festival — will get a wide premiere at 8 p.m. ET on Jan. 27 on HBO, and it will also be available to stream on Max.
Filmmakers Carlos López Estrada, who received an Oscar nomination for Raya and the Last Dragon in 2022, and Zac Manuel, who is making his directorial debut with Long Live Montero, helmed the film together. In addition to footage of the tour, the picture includes interviews with the artist in which he reflects on his career so far and his sexuality. Like the stage show, the film is structured into three parts: Rebirth, Transformation, and Becoming.
“[The directors] follow [Lil Nas X] around as he navigates the perilous waters of sudden celebrity, faces backlash from conservatives for his proudly queer songs and imagery, and bonds with fans who embrace his ability to bridge gaps while staying true to himself,” Rolling Stone reported last year.