The 26-year-old Grammy winner caused fans to do a double take this week when he posted a video in a hospital bed, showing that he had suddenly lost movement in the right side of his face. In a short video shared on Instagram, Nas X appeared in a hospital gown, trying unsuccessfully to flash a smile at least not as wide as the one we've expected from the ever-enthusiastic performer.
"When I smile, this is me doing a full smile right now by the way… it's like, what the f###," he said candidly in the video. "Even my laugh is not even coming out right, bro. What the f###! Oh my God."
Fans and other celebs expressed concern in the comments. In a familiar turn of events, Lil Nas X didn't shy away from revealing susceptibility; he leaned in, providing even more context in a follow-up video from home. Wearing a pink shower cap and looking cautiously optimistic, he updated everyone on his condition.
"I've been chewing a lot so I can strengthen this muscle," he said. "It's better, it's better, it's better. My eyeball still has to catch up, but I can give a legit smile, so that's good."
It's a glimpse into the private health battles that even our public icons are fighting, and Nas X served it with the raw realness that only Nas X could bring. It was part scary, tender, and definitively him a blend of humor and candor, all while recovering fabulously.
The entertainment community's support was immediate. Actress Taraji P. Henson offered a brief but sincere, "Get well, baby," while comedian Wanda Sykes kept it honest: "Sometimes your body tells you to sit down somewhere. Rest up."
Since his breakout with "Old Town Road," Lil Nas X has experienced a whirlwind career in which he has bent the rules and broken down walls, changing what pop fame looks like. But even those are trailblazers who should pause when their body strikes back.
Though the specific cause of the facial paralysis has not been disclosed, fans are glad to see that he is on the mend and still able to find humor in the moment.
If there's one thing we've learned, Lil Nas X does not ride the waves; he creates them. And even in the face of the life curveball, he manages to find a way to make it a moment that connects, inspires, and reminds everyone to take care of themselves.
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