Lil Nas X opens up about his sexuality

Lil Nas X knew it was time for him to share his story with the world.

The 20-year-old singer became an overnight success with his mega-hit, “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, and has been reveling in all his glory. During his quick rise to stardom, however, Lil Nas revealed his most personal secret, sharing with the world that he’s gay.

In a new interview with Time, published on Tuesday, the rapper explains that from a young age he was taught that homosexuality “is never going to be OK.” But during Pride Week, he felt as if the “universe” was pushing him to open up about his sexuality.

“I never would have done that if I wasn’t in a way pushed by the universe,” he says of his coming-out story. “In June, I’m seeing Pride flags everywhere and seeing couples holding hands — little stuff like that.”

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thank you for this opportunity @time ❤️?

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Lil Nas first alluded to his sexuality when he told fans to listen to his song “C7osure (You Like),” and noted the rainbow on his album cover. Then in July, he tweeted: “Wow man last year I was sleeping on my sisters floor, had no money, struggling to get plays on my music, suffering from daily headaches, now i’m gay.”

Since then, he’s received some backlash but also praise from fans and the hip-hop community. If he was scared of losing followers, it didn’t show on the charts because “Old Town Road” is the longest-running No. 1 song in history, occupying the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for 19 weeks and counting.

“Everything lined up for this moment to take me to this place,” Lil Nas reflects. “Not to sound self-centered, but it feels like I’m chosen, in a way, to do this stuff.”

17 PHOTOSLil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus perform at the BET AwardsSee GalleryLil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus perform at the BET AwardsBilly Ray Cyrus, a la izquierda, y Lil Nas X interpretan “Old Town Road” durante la ceremonia de los Premios BET, el domingo 23 de junio del 2019 en el Teatro Microsoft en Los Angeles. (Foto por Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)Billy Ray Cyrus, left, and Lil Nas X pose in the press room at the BET Awards on Sunday, June 23, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)Billy Ray Cyrus, left, and Lil Nas X perform “Old Town Road” at the BET Awards on Sunday, June 23, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)Lil Nas X, left, and Billy Ray Cyrus arrive at the BET Awards on Sunday, June 23, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)Billy Ray Cyrus, left, and Lil Nas X perform “Old Town Road” at the BET Awards on Sunday, June 23, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)Lil Nas X, left, and Billy Ray Cyrus arrive at the BET Awards on Sunday, June 23, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)Billy Ray Cyrus, left, and Lil Nas X perform “Old Town Road” at the BET Awards on Sunday, June 23, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)Billy Ray Cyrus, left, and Lil Nas X pose in the press room at the BET Awards on Sunday, June 23, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)Lil Nas X, left, and Billy Ray Cyrus arrive at the BET Awards on Sunday, June 23, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)Billy Ray Cyrus (L) and Lil Nas X perform onstage during the 2019 BET awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California on June 23, 2019. (Photo by Jean-Baptiste LACROIX / AFP)(Photo credit should read JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX/AFP/Getty Images)Billy Ray Cyrus (L) and Lil Nas X perform onstage during the 2019 BET awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California on June 23, 2019. (Photo by Jean-Baptiste LACROIX / AFP)(Photo credit should read JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX/AFP/Getty Images)Billy Ray Cyrus (L) and Lil Nas X perform onstage during the 2019 BET awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California on June 23, 2019. (Photo by Jean-Baptiste LACROIX / AFP)(Photo credit should read JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX/AFP/Getty Images)Billy Ray Cyrus (L) and Lil Nas X perform onstage during the 2019 BET awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California on June 23, 2019. (Photo by Jean-Baptiste LACROIX / AFP)(Photo credit should read JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX/AFP/Getty Images)Billy Ray Cyrus (L) and Lil Nas X perform onstage during the 2019 BET awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California on June 23, 2019. (Photo by Jean-Baptiste LACROIX / AFP)(Photo credit should read JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX/AFP/Getty Images)LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 23: Billy Ray Cyrus (L) and Lil Nas X pose for a portrait at the 2019 BET Awards on June 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage)LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 23: Billy Ray Cyrus and Lil Nas X perform onstage at the 2019 BET Awards on June 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 23: Billy Ray Cyrus and Lil Nas X perform onstage at the 2019 BET Awards on June 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)Up Next

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