Lil Nas X faced a harrowing experience during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) as his documentary premiere, “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero,” was disrupted by an alleged bomb threat. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, delayed the event and sent shockwaves through the festival.
Scheduled to begin at 10:00 p.m. local time, the special screening had already seen the arrival of the documentary’s co-directors, Carlos Lopez Estrada and Zac Manuel, as well as editor Andrew Morrow on the red carpet. However, as Lil Nas X, the 24-year-old Grammy-winning rapper, arrived at the premiere, festival organizers were informed of a phoned-in bomb threat. Sources suggest that this threat was specifically targeted at him, citing his identity as a Black queer artist.
The rapper’s red carpet appearance was delayed by 20 minutes while TIFF security conducted a thorough search of the Roy Thomson Hall theater, where the premiere was taking place. Fortunately, the investigation concluded that the threat was not credible, allowing Lil Nas X to join the others on the red carpet. The screening, although delayed, eventually commenced, reported Variety.
DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives for Lil Nas X for further comments on the incident.
Lil Nas X, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, attended the premiere with his supportive family, including his father, Robbert Stafford. His documentary delves into his meteoric rise to fame, providing an intimate look at the artist as he embarks on his inaugural tour. The film explores themes of identity, family, expectations, and acceptance, offering a candid portrayal of Lil Nas X’s journey.
Speaking about the documentary shortly before its official premiere, Lil Nas X expressed his desire to break down barriers and elevate Black queer representation in the entertainment industry. He emphasized his commitment to making the seemingly unreachable ceilings accessible for Black queer individuals, noting their significant influence on culture in the current generation.
The rapper, who publicly came out as gay in June 2019, looked forward to the experience of attending a film festival and the potential for building future relationships in the film industry.
Co-director Zac Manuel highlighted the multi-layered nature of the documentary, emphasizing the transparency of Lil Nas X in sharing his identity journey, which forms the heart of the film.
The festival, which began on Thursday and runs until September 17, provided Lil Nas X with a platform to make a fashion statement, with the artist opting for a distinctive black ensemble and platform shoes.
Despite the unsettling incident, the premiere of “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero” continued as scheduled, with additional screenings slated for September 14 and 16 as part of TIFF.
Reflecting on the documentary’s release, Lil Nas X maintained a down-to-earth perspective, hoping that audiences would embrace his work. His career has already seen immense success, most notably with his record-breaking hit “Old Town Road” in 2019, and he has accumulated accolades, including two Grammy Awards, five Billboard Music Awards, and two BET Hip Hop Awards.
Lil Nas X’s journey, both in his music and now on the silver screen, continues to inspire and challenge boundaries in the entertainment industry.
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Written by:
Dana Sterling-Editor
