FILM & TV

Lil Nas X Pulls off Two Stunning Looks and a Killer Performance at the BET Awards

Lil Nas X dressed to impress at the 2021 BET Awards with wardrobe changes styled by Hodo Musa. The artist made headlines not only for his killer outfits but for a steamy performance that ended with the artist kissing a male background dancer.
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Lil Nas X dressed to impress at the 2021 BET Awards with wardrobe changes styled by Hodo Musa. The artist made headlines not only for his killer outfits but for an iconic performance that ended with him kissing a male background dancer. 

Fans knew that Lil Nas X would steal the night away from the moment he arrived in a stunning full-skirted gown. Italian designer Andrea Grossi was inspired by Catholic symbols and stories present in Lil Nas X’s hit song “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name).”

After leaving the red carpet briefly, the singer returned dressed in a matching floral suit. The baroque-style fabrics and crystal embellishments are from Richard Quinn’s Fall 2021 collection.

In his final look of the night, Lil Nas X donned Egyptian-themed gold clothing for a performance of “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name),” which honored Michael Jackson’s “Remember the Time” era while also celebrating queer culture.

The 22-year-old star concluded his fiery performance by sharing a passionate kiss with a male background dancer. It’s not that this wasn’t allowed at the BET Awards before, but no one had ever done it before. But on the last weekend of Pride Month, Lil Nas X publicly displayed his role within the LGBTQ+ community.

The BET Awards has become a night of celebration for Black artistry and storytelling. For Lil Nas X, that means embracing his identity as a gay, Black young man. This was his intention for creating “MONTERO” in the first place, according to an interview with People Magazine.

“It took me a lot of time to mentally prepare for this performance. While on stage I was trembling knowing that I was performing something like that in front of my straight peers. Even during the performance, I was having a hard time calming my nerves. Thank you guys for the love,” Lil Nas X tweeted.

You can watch Lil Nas X’s full performance at the BET Awards below.