Tag: Lil Nas X

  • TIFF premiere of documentary on Lil Nas X delayed by bomb threat 

    By PTI

    TORONTO: The world premiere of Lil Nas X’s documentary at the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) was delayed on Saturday night after a bomb threat was called in targeting the pop superstar.

    The gala screening of “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero”, directed by Carlos Lopez Estrada and Zac Manuel, was scheduled for a 10 PM start at Roy Thomson Hall, one of TIFF’s premier venues.

    According to the entertainment website Variety, Estrada, Manuel and film’s editor Andrew Morrow arrived on the red carpet first.

    Insiders said as Lil Nas X, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, pulled up in his car to join them, organisers were informed that they had received a bomb threat and the artist was told to hold.

    The threat specifically targeted the rapper — known for songs such as “Montero” (Call Me By Your Name) and “Old Town Road” — for being a Black queer artist, another source said.

    The 24-year-old musician’s arrival was delayed 20 minutes as the security team at the prestigious gala conducted a sweep of the venue.

    He joined Estrada and Manuel on the red carpet after the threat turned out to be a hoax and the screening began at approximately 10:30 PM.

    Representatives for TIFF did not respond to an immediate request for comment.

    The film festival will run through September 17.

    TORONTO: The world premiere of Lil Nas X’s documentary at the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) was delayed on Saturday night after a bomb threat was called in targeting the pop superstar.

    The gala screening of “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero”, directed by Carlos Lopez Estrada and Zac Manuel, was scheduled for a 10 PM start at Roy Thomson Hall, one of TIFF’s premier venues.

    According to the entertainment website Variety, Estrada, Manuel and film’s editor Andrew Morrow arrived on the red carpet first.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Insiders said as Lil Nas X, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, pulled up in his car to join them, organisers were informed that they had received a bomb threat and the artist was told to hold.

    The threat specifically targeted the rapper — known for songs such as “Montero” (Call Me By Your Name) and “Old Town Road” — for being a Black queer artist, another source said.

    The 24-year-old musician’s arrival was delayed 20 minutes as the security team at the prestigious gala conducted a sweep of the venue.

    He joined Estrada and Manuel on the red carpet after the threat turned out to be a hoax and the screening began at approximately 10:30 PM.

    Representatives for TIFF did not respond to an immediate request for comment.

    The film festival will run through September 17.

  • In Atlanta, October 20 is now ‘Lil Nas X Day’ 

    By ANI

    WASHINGTON: After basking in the success of his latest song, American rapper Lil Nas X has received his own special day in Atlanta, where the singer was born and raised.

    According to TMZ, The Atlanta City Council just declared a day in honour of the ‘Industry Baby’ singer-rapper.

    The council proclaimed October 20 as ‘Lil Nas X Day’ and also honoured the rapper with a plaque trophy to commemorate the special day.

    Nas X has also shared a picture of the same on his Instagram story.

    The 22-year-old artist received the plaque Wednesday night, October 20, 2021, at a special dinner organised at The Gathering Spot, Atlanta. The award was presented by a city councilman and mayoral candidate Antonio Brown, the city’s first Black LQBTQ council member.

    As per TMZ, the council said that Nas X is shaping the city and the world with his “artistic influence and transformative influence” through his popular songs just like his recent album ‘Montero’. 

  • Dua Lipa, Lil Nas X and more to headline iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour

    By ANI

    WASHINGTON: The 2021 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour has announced the star-studded lineup of their event, and it features some familiar faces. Dua Lipa, Lil Nas X, Ed Sheeran, Jonas Brothers, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion and more have been roped in to headline the upcoming music festival.

    As per Variety, the 2021 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour, presented by Capital One will be making stops in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Atlanta and Miami/Ft. Lauderdale.

    “What started as a local show 26 years ago is now a globally televised holiday music event featuring the biggest hit artists and songs of the year,” said John Sykes, President of Entertainment Enterprises for iHeartMedia.

    “And, for those who can’t get a ticket to the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour, they can watch on The CW Network, who will bring this music celebration to millions of fans’ living rooms with a two-hour TV broadcast special,” added Sykes.

    Z100’s Jingle Ball in New York on December 10 will be carried live across the country on all iHeartRadio CHR stations nationwide and will live stream exclusively via The CW App and CWTV.com.

    In addition, The CW Network will broadcast the event as an exclusive nationwide television special on December 15 at 8 pm EST/PST. The CW Network television special will also air again on Christmas Day, December 25 at 8 pm EST/PST.

    For the eighth consecutive year, nine cities on the tour, including Los Angeles; Minneapolis; Boston; Philadelphia; New York; Washington, D.C.; Chicago; Atlanta; and Miami/Ft. Lauderdale will partner with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to inspiring today’s youth through entertainment and education focused initiatives. 

  • Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X — and yes, Rihanna — dazzle at Met Gala

    By Associated Press

    NEW YORK: Billie Eilish went full glam in a huge peach ball gown at the pandemic-delayed Met Gala on Monday night, while fellow host of the evening Amanda Gorman was breathtaking in cobalt blue custom Vera Wang with a diamond laurel wreath in her hair.Rihanna, ever the Met Gala queen, showed up late in a huge black Balenciaga look and hat accompanied by A$ap Rocky in a multicolored quilted coat from ERL. She wore over 267 carats of Bulgari diamonds, including two choker necklaces.

    Rihanna attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” exhibition on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. (Photo | AP)

    Co-host Timothée Chalamet raced onto Fifth Avenue to take selfies with fans before walking up the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art for his entrance after a marching band and gymnast Nia Dennis kicked off the long-awaited evening. Last year’s gala was canceled due to the pandemic.This year’s official theme of the fundraiser for the museum’s Costume Institute was “American Independence,” leaving plenty of room for interpretation. Just ask Lil Nas X, who did a Lady Gaga-esque strip tease on the carpet in gold Versace, from cape to armor to embellished jumpsuit.Eilish, the belle of the ball, wore Oscar de la Renta. She told Vogue: “It was time for this. I feel like I’ve grown so much over the last few years.”Chalamet had Converse sneakers on his feet but diamonds on his look. Chalamet called his look, including Rick Owens sweatpants, as “a bit of everything,” just like America. Alfonso Navas, the fashion editor for Esquire, lauded his fashion choices as a “a smart play on the theme by interpreting American icons in sportwear.”Gorman’s dress, which included more than 3,000 hand-sewn crystals, was made to evoke a starry night sky. She told Vogue she felt like Lady Liberty, reimagined. Her crown, the star poet said, was a nod to publishing. Another of the hosts, Naomi Osaka, wanted to celebrate all her cultures — Japan, Haitian and the U.S. — and picked a Louis Vuitton gown designed in collaboration with her sister, Mari Osaka. It was a swirly blue, aqua and purple print with long black ruffle sleeves and a wide red sash.If this gala produced a trend, it’s huge statement sleeves, with some stars and stripes thrown in. There was a smattering of red, as in the red, white and blue of the American flag. Karlie Kloss wore red Carolina Herrera with huge ruffles at the neck and sleeves. Jennifer Hudson also chose red sans sleeves.Also in red: Ella Emhoff, the daughter of the country’s second gentleman, Doug Emhoff, and Vice President Kamala Harris. She wore a bodysuit and high-shine trousers by Stella McCartney with a sheer top and a crystal design in all the right places. She wore Adidas by McCartney embellished in red and made partially of a recycled material derived from ocean plastic.The gala, drawing standouts in fashion, TV, film, sports, tech and beyond, included tiny but mighty Olympian Simone Biles in an 88-pound Area embroidered gown of silver with a top adorned in a firework burst pattern and a huge train carried up the museum steps by six men. The gown was a collaboration with Athleta.Ralph Lauren dressed Jennifer Lopez in fur with a brown look in her signature plunge at the neck and high slit, a wide-brimmed Western-style hat on her head. She and Ben Affleck smooched with masks on after their red carpet coming out in Venice.Dan Levy took the party’s theme to the extreme in a blue confection from Loewe. It had, according to the brand, “printed leg of mutton sleeves” on a polo shirt with an applique of two men kissing.Yara Shahidi wore silver custom Dior complete with a light hood. She said she was inspired by Josephine Baker. Harris Reed, in collaboration with Dolce & Gabbana, put Iman in a huge golden feathered head piece and equally adorned skirt of crinoline with a jacquard bustier.Blake Newby, the style and beauty editor for Essence, called Iman’s look “both massive and angelic.”Gala overseer Anna Wintour arrived early with a wave to the crowd accompanied by her pregnant daughter, Bee, in a floral design with ruffles at the neck.Along with oh-so-many jumpsuits, there were plenty of classic red carpet looks and a wave of gold, the latter including a Peter Dundas look worn by Mary J. Blige. It plunged to the belly button and beyond at the front and back. MJ Rodriguez, the “Pose” star and first transgender performer to pick up an Emmy nomination in a major acting category, wore an old glam, black-and-white corseted look from Thom Browne. The designer called it a modern-day twist on classic American sportswear. She attended the gala with purpose.”Not a lot of trans girls like myself get this opportunity,” she said. “The human condition is what I’m here for.”U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez showed up in an Brother Vellies by Aurora James gown of white with a message splashed in red across the back: “Tax the Rich.” “It’s really about having a real conversation about fairness and equity in our system, and I think this conversation is particularly relevant as we debate the budget and reconciliation bill,” she said. The evening had its share of what-the-heck moments, like a couple of horse heads on dresses and a green-haired Frank Ocean carrying a fake baby with a green face to match. Thom Browne gave the walking fashion statement Erykah Badu an extra-tall top hat with a bulky black look, a bunch of crystals and chunky bling around her neck.Her purse was a black leather dachshund.The fashion girls represented, Gigi Hadid in classic white Prada fresh from a slew of runway walks at New York Fashion Week, and Kendall Jenner in glittery, revealing silver by Givenchy. Jenner’s look was inspired by “My Fair Lady.”The entrance of Jenner’s older sister, Kim Kardashian West, caused a stir as fans wondered whether her estranged husband Kanye was the masked man at her side. It was none other than Demna Gvasalia, the creative director for Balenciaga who created her get-up: A black face covering worn with a T-shirt dress, catsuit and boots. It came after she arrived in New York in full dominatrix gear ahead of the gala.Newby told the AP the easiest and most obvious ways to stay true to the evening’s theme is by wearing American designers. Many of the greats, including Michael Kors, showed up, along with smaller brands.”Black American designers had their moment,” she said, noting looks by Christopher John Rogers, Aliette and Sergio Hudson.There were hair statements as well.”Geometric bobs also made an appearance with Sophia Roe and Tracee Ellis Ross showing off very avant garde ‘dos, while Yara Shahidi and Kaia Gerber channeled old Hollywood glam with deep waves,” Newby said.After 18 months in sweats, it was “clear that celebrities were beyond thrilled to give it their all,” said Sara Tan, beauty director for a millennial-focused lifestyle site Refinery29.com.They did in clothes, but also accessories and beauty, she said, noting Gorman’s sparkly jewels across her face and Eilish’s short, curled bob and classic winged liner in a definite ode to Marilyn Monroe.Eilish, Gorman, Iman and AOC were the night’s best dressed for Refinery29’s fashion director Irina Grechko.”Not only did Gorman wear an American designer, Vera Wang, but she also nailed the ‘American Independence’ dress code with a book-shaped clutch that read ‘Give Us Your Tired’ in reference to the Emma Lazarus poem featured on the base of the Statue of Liberty.The gala, which raises money for the museum’s Costume Institute, was pushed last year from its traditional May berth and morphed this year into a two-part affair marking the institute’s 75th anniversary. It coincides with the opening of “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,”  the first of a two-part exhibition at the Met’s Anna Wintour Costume Center. Organizers invited 400 guests, or about a third the number that usually attend.

  • Lil Nas X announces September release date for debut album ‘Montero’

    By ANI

    WASHINGTON: American rapper Lil Nas X announced the release date for his long-anticipated debut album, ‘Montero’.

    In a social media post on Wednesday night, August 25, 2021, the Grammy-winning artist revealed that the album will release on September 17. Alongside the date announcement, Nas also debuted a trailer for the album featuring a previously-unheard song.

    “creating this album has been therapy for me. i’ve learned to let go of trying to control people’s perception of who i am, what i can do, and where i will be. i’ve realized the only opinion of me that really matters is my own. MY DEBUT ALBUM “MONTERO” IS YOURS SEPTEMBER 17th,” he wrote.

    The post’s accompanying video seemingly picks up where Nas and Jack Harlow’s ‘Industry Baby’ music video left off, beginning with a skit featuring Nas as an anchor on MNN — Montero News Network.

    “Breaking news: power bottom rapper, Lil Nas X and his caucasian friend led a prison escape this morning. This comes just months after the talentless homosexual was sentenced to five years in prison,” Nas says as the anchor.

    “Investigators say anyone who comes into contact with the power bottom should contact authorities immediately,” he adds.

    The clip then segues to Nas driving through the desert in a teal convertible, on his way to the town of ‘Montero’. After stopping at a phone booth, Nas then falls through the darkness, all while a snippet of a song, presumably from the album, plays. “I want/ Someone to love me/ I need/ Someone who needs me,” Nas sings on the track.

    Nas teased what ‘Montero’ will sound like in his Variety Power of Young Hollywood cover story, calling the project “much more personal” than his 2019 EP ‘7’, but just as musically diverse.

    Nas X released his first major project, the ‘7’ EP, two years ago on June 21, 2019, via Columbia Records. The EP was nominated for album of the year at the 2020 Grammy Awards.

    The rapper has continued to push boundaries this year, most notably with the music video for ‘Montero (Call Me By Your Name)’, a song that features the artist giving the devil a lap dance.

    The hitmaker has released three singles in the past few months: ‘Holiday’, ‘Montero’ and the latest, ‘Sun Goes Down’. 

  • Lil Nas X, Camila Cabello, others to perform at 2021 MTV VMAs

    By ANI

    WASHINGTON: This year’s biggest stars will be performing at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards!

    As per Variety, on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, MTV announced that Olivia Rodrigo, Machine Gun Kelly, Lil Nas X, Camila Cabello and Lorde will all be among the performers at the 2021 VMAs.

    Many more will be coming, of course, to fill out a three-hour slot on the way to the telecast going live on September 12 at 8 pm ET/PT.

    Both Gun Kelly and Rodrigo will make their VMA stage debut with their performances. Kelly will hit the stage for a world premiere of his song ‘Papercuts’, a single he released a week ago in advance of his fall album ‘Born With Horns’, which also awaits an official release date.

    The ‘Deja Vu’ songstress is a first-time nominee and is up for five awards while Kelly is up for the best alternative artist, the same category he won last year.

    Cabello will make her return to the VMAs stage two years after performing ‘Senorita’ with her beau Shawn Mendes in 2019. She is set to perform her high-energy single ‘Don’t Go Yet’ from her upcoming third album ‘Familia’.

    Meanwhile, Lorde will bring a world premiere performance of a track from her album ‘Solar Power’ out Friday. She last performed at the 2017 VMAs. Lil Nas X will also make his return to the VMA stage after performing ‘Panini’ in 2019.

    Lil Nas X is among the contenders for video of the year — the top prize of the night — for his ‘Montero (Call Me By Your Name)’ music video. Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s ‘WAP’, DJ Khaled and Drake’s video featuring Justin Bieber ‘POPSTAR’, Doja Cat and SZA’s ‘Kiss Me More’, Ed Sheeran’s ‘Bad Habits’, and The Weeknd’s ‘Save Your Tears’ are also up for the award.

    As for the artist of the year category, Ariana Grande, Doja Cat, Taylor Swift, Rodrigo, Bieber and Megan Thee Stallion are up for the award.

    The MTV VMAs are set to air live from New York City on September 12. Plans for an audience for the show have yet to be announced. Last year, the VMAs show went to a pre-taped, studio-set format after having to nix its initial Barclays Center location due to COVID-19 pandemic conditions.

    The 2021 show has Bruce Gillmer and Jesse Ignjatovic as its executive producers, Barb Bialkowski as co-executive producer, Alicia Portugal and Jackie Barba as executives in charge of production, Wendy Plaut as an executive in charge of celebrity talent and Lisa Lauricella as music talent executive. (ANI)

  • Lil Nas X gets back to songwriting

    By ANI

    WASHINGTON: American rapper Lil Nas X has resumed writing songs after a long time.

    On Monday, Lil Nas X took to Instagram and gave fans an update about his work.

    He wrote: “Back writing music after months, feels like the best sh** ever, feels freeing.”

    Meanwhile, the ‘Old Town Road’ hitmaker recently became the talk of the town for his relationship status.

    In an interview with Variety, he revealed that he has found love.

    “I’ve had some good boyfriends and some bad ones. A lot of them were emotionally unavailable or had a lot of insecurity and whatnot…now I’ve found someone special. I think this is the one. I can’t explain it–it’s just a feeling,” Lil Nas X said.

    Lil Nas X, whose real name is Montero Hill, came out as gay in 2019. 

  • Lil Nas X kisses male dancer at the end of his BET Awards performance to celebrates Pride Month

    By ANI
    WASHINGTON: Lil Nas X has once again set social media on fire and this time the reason is not with his performance, but what happened after his performance.

    The Grammy-winning rapper passionately kissed one of his dancers after performing his hit song ‘Montero (Call Me by Your Name)’ at the BET Awards on Sunday, reported Variety.

    The 22-year-old hitmaker, who came out as gay in 2019, wrapped his arm around two male hoofers but only made out with the one on his left side.

    pic.twitter.com/doQONxb8lL

  • Rapper Lil Nas X releases children’s book ‘C is for Country’

    By PTI
    LOS ANGELES: Rapper Lil Nas X has launched a picture book, titled “C is for Country”, that will take the readers from ages three to seven on an alphabetical journey.

    The Grammy winner, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, officially released the book on Tuesday, reported Billboard.

    “My children’s book ‘C is for Country’ is out now! Go get it please I really need to pay my rent,” the 21-year-old artiste joked on Twitter.

    The book has illustrations by Theodore Taylor III and is published by Random House Kids, a division of Penguin Random House.

    According to Random House Kids’ page, “C Is for Country” is full of “plenty of hidden surprises” for the “Old Town Road” hitmaker’s biggest fans within its pages filled with “wide-open pastures, farm animals, guitar music, cowboy hats, and all things country”.