Lil Nas X’s father is speaking out, offering a more personal look at the struggles behind his son’s recent breakdown. Lil Nas X has been, according to his father, facing immense pressure as both an artist and a person, resulting in the viral naked meltdown. Robert Stafford, father of the Grammy-winning artiste, addressed his son’s late-night escapade that led to his arrest in Los Angeles, describing the immense pressures that come with stardom.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Stafford described his son’s recent breakdown not as a sudden collapse, but as the culmination of years of pressure from the music industry and family obligations. “It’s like a high,” he explained, comparing the thrill of success to an addictive cycle. “When you get to that level, you want that drug again; you want to hit that high again.”
According to Stafford, Lil Nas X has been trying to sustain the momentum of his early career triumphs. Nas skyrocketed to fame with “Old Town Road” and went on to win two Grammys. The pressure to keep up with that level of achievement has been intense.
On top of his career demands, Stafford revealed that his son also feels the heavy responsibility of financially supporting his family. That responsibility has been made heavier by his mother’s ongoing struggles with addiction, a challenge that Stafford indicated has taken a toll on his son emotionally as well.
The singer’s arrest on August 21, when he was filmed walking naked through a Los Angeles street before clashing with officers, has dominated headlines. Stafford recounted visiting Nas in jail, describing the moment as heartbreaking.
Seeing Nas behind the glass in L.A. County Jail drove him to tears, and Nas cried as well. Stafford, who affectionately referred to the entertainer as his ”baby boy”, recalled telling Nas, “What you’re going through is normal.”
Stafford reassured reporters afterwards that Nas’ mental health was doing great and he was in good spirits. He added that he felt remorse regarding the incident and was committed to getting the help he needed. He insisted that his son was not using drugs, and Nas’ challenges are more about the crushing demands of fame and the personal weight he carries.
Lil Nas X’s troubles made headlines after a shocking video showed him walking naked in Los Angeles on August 21, followed by a scuffle with officers that led to his arrest. He now faces four felony charges, including battery on a police officer, but was released on $75,000 bail.