Lil Nas X Hospitalized After Losing Control of Right Side of Face: “I Can’t Even Laugh Right, Bro”

Lil Nas X gave fans a scare this week after revealing from a hospital bed that he had lost control of the right side of his face.

In a video posted late Monday night to Instagram, the Old Town Road star appeared visibly shaken — and yet still trying to laugh through the surreal experience. “This is me doing a full smile right now, by the way,” he said, forcing a crooked grin and shaking his head. “I can’t even laugh right, bro. What the fuck?”

The 26-year-old later jumped on Instagram Stories to reassure fans that he’s doing okay. “Guys I am OK!! Stop being sad for me! Shake ur ass for me instead!” he wrote, keeping things light in typical Lil Nas fashion. In a follow-up selfie, he added, “Imma look funny for a lil bit but that’s it.”

He hasn’t confirmed a diagnosis, but fans and commentators online were quick to suggest the symptoms point to Bell’s Palsy — a temporary facial paralysis that causes weakness or immobility on one side of the face. It’s caused by inflammation of the facial nerve and can be triggered by a number of factors including infection, high blood pressure, or even stress.

According to medical experts, Bell’s Palsy often resolves on its own in a matter of weeks or months, though recovery varies from person to person.

Health scare aside, Lil Nas X hasn’t let up on his momentum. He’s been teasing a new musical era, dropping singles ahead of his upcoming second album Dreamboy. His last album Montero debuted in 2021, following the massive, culture-defining success of Old Town Road, which remains the longest-running Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 of all time.

For now, the focus is on healing — but don’t expect Lil Nas X to disappear. He’s still posting. Still joking. Still himself.