Musician Lil Nas X says his is “very thankful” after a Los Angeles court approved him attending a mental health diversion program following his 2025 arrest.

Last year the star was found walking naked down Ventura Boulevard, and he had a run in with police that led to felony battery charges that could have seen him sentenced to years behind bars.

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Footage of the rapper taken before the police altercation showed him walking down the road in his underwear and cowboy boots, but by the time he encountered police he’d stripped off completely.

The court heard that Nil Nas X, whose legal name is Montero Lamar Hill, has since been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and his behaviour was out of character.

Judge Alan Schneider told the musician that if he sticks to his treatment program and does not break any other laws for a two year period the four felony charges against him will be dropped.

News of the musician being granted access to the treatment program was first reported by Rolling Stone. They spoke to Nil Nas X outside the court and he said he was “thankful – just very thankful” and that it “could have been much worse”.

Nil Nas X came to prominence in 2018 with his huge hit Old Town Road which mashed country and hip hop together. He continued to have success with his 2021 Montero album which spawned the hits That’s What I Want, Montero (Call Me By Your Name) and Industry Baby.

In 2025 he released his follow up Dream Boy, but it failed to repeat the success of his debut.