Montero Lamar Hill, known professionally as Lil Nas X, has entered an inpatient treatment program and did not appear at a pretrial hearing in Los Angeles on Sept. 15, court records show. The 26-year-old pop star was arrested last month after a widely reported public incident and faces felony charges related to the event.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Shellie Samuels modified the conditions of his release, allowing Hill to remain out of state while he continues inpatient treatment at an undisclosed facility. The judge said the arrangement may be revisited if his treatment status changes to outpatient.
Hill was jailed and later released on Aug. 25 after the incident that prompted the charges, according to court documents and media reports. His attorney, Drew Findling, told reporters after the hearing that the decision to enter inpatient care was guided by concerns for Hill's well-being and professional life. "We're doing what is best for [Lil Nas X] from a personal standpoint and a professional standpoint, but most importantly, for his well-being," Findling said. He added that Hill is "surrounded by an amazing family, an amazing team of people that care about him and love him. And we’re just addressing those issues. It’s really as simple as that. He’s had a great life, and he’ll continue to have a great life. This is a bump that he’s going to get over."
Prosecutors say Hill faces up to five years in prison if convicted, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney's office. The next scheduled court appearance is Nov. 18. The judge's order allows Hill to remain outside California while enrolled in the inpatient program; if his treatment shifts to outpatient care, the court indicated it would revisit his conditions of release.
The case drew widespread public attention after the arrest and subsequent booking. Details in charging documents filed with the court describe alleged conduct that led to felony counts, though prosecutors have not publicly detailed the specific statutes cited in the papers reviewed at the Sept. 15 hearing.
Hill rose to international prominence with chart-topping singles and a persona that blends pop, rap and provocative public imagery. The legal proceedings mark a significant interruption for the artist, who has maintained a high profile since breaking through with his 2019 hit.
Court officials and Hill's representatives have not disclosed the location of the treatment facility. The judge's accommodation reflects the court's recognition of ongoing medical supervision while balancing pretrial conditions imposed after the arrest. Observers say courts may modify release terms when defendants have documented treatment needs that require travel or residence outside the issuing jurisdiction.
The Nov. 18 hearing will determine whether the case proceeds to trial and whether any additional modifications to Hill's pretrial conditions are warranted. In the interim, Hill remains under the supervision of his legal team and the court, subject to the modified order permitting out-of-state residence tied to his inpatient care.