How a bomb scare over Lil Nas X’s black queer identity delayed premiering of his documentary

Fans of rapper Lil Nas X had to wait a while longer before the premiere of his documentary following a bomb scare over his decision to identify as a black queer. It had to take security to investigate the situation and determine whether the threat was credible or not before the program was given the green light to proceed.

The premiere of his documentary, “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero,” was originally scheduled for 10:00 p.m. local time, with the co-directors and editor already present on the red carpet. However, organizers had to keep him for 20 minutes for security to conduct a search at the Roy Thomson Hall theater.

Despite the bomb threat, Lil Nas X eventually joined his colleagues on the red carpet, and the screening of his documentary started 30 minutes later than scheduled, as reported by the Daily Mail. Lil Nas X’s representatives are yet to comment on the incident.

Lil Nas X, also known as Montero Lamar Hill, was accompanied by his supportive family, including his father, Robbert Stafford, at the premiere. His documentary delves into his journey to fame and success, focusing on his first-ever tour. According to an IMDB synopsis, the film shines light on an intimate portrayal of the artist as he navigates issues of identity, family, expectations, and acceptance.

Shortly before the film’s official premiere, Lil Nas X expressed his commitment to breaking boundaries for Black queer individuals, aiming to raise the bar to new heights during his lifetime and beyond.

Lil Nas X, who came out as gay in June 2019, stressed that even though Black queer individuals are struggling with identity and acceptance, they are a key segment of society who are shaping culture and propelling the world forward.

He expressed his excitement about entering the film industry and attending a red carpet premiere. According to him, the initiative he has taken has given him the opportunity to gauge people’s reactions and potentially establish valuable connections at his first film festival appearance.

Co-director Zac Manuel, on his part, explained that the film has unique aspects of the queer society which have been amplified by the music documentary. He underscored the significance of Lil Nas X’s transparency about his identity and his path to becoming his authentic self. Manuel suggested that sharing this personal journey, particularly alongside his family, became the core of the film.