The Subversive Joy of Lil Nas X’s Gay Pop Stardom

A peek into his hot boy summer.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story July 9, 2021 "This is the difference between the Nas of 'Old Town Road' and the one heard now, both in musical approach and in self-depiction: The new one is really, really gay." Jazmine Hughes writes in our cover story this week, in her profile of the 22-year-old pop star. Lil Nas X wants to be not just a pop star but a visibly gay one — founded on a genuine pride and comfort. After years of hiding himself, there is now no mistaking it: He is trying to be, all at once, a hitmaker, a huge pop star, an out gay man and a sexual being. Shikeith for The New York Times The Subversive Joy of Lil Nas X's Gay Pop Stardom A peek into a hot boy summer filled with new highs, disappointment and growth. By Jazmine Hughes Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Subscribe Today We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times with this special offer. MORE FROM THE MAGAZINE Bethany Mollenkof for The New York Times The Police Called It An Accident. She Turned to 1-800-Autopsy. The close ties between coroners and law enforcement have fueled an usual and unregulated industry: for-profit forensic examinations. By Erika Hayasaki Illustration by Olivier Bonhomme The Man Behind China's Aggressive New Voice How one bureaucrat, armed with just a Twitter account, remade Beijing's diplomacy for a nationalistic era. By Alex W. Palmer Mamadi Doumbouya for The New York Times Talk Rep. Adam Kinzinger on the Moral Failure of Republicans and the Big Lie "If you're scared to tell the truth to people, I understand, but you need to find a different line of work." By David Marchese Stay in touch: Follow us on Twitter (@NYTmag) or check us out on Instagram. Appreciated this email? Forward it to a friend and help us grow. Loved a story? Hated it? Write us a letter at magazine@nytimes.com. Did a friend forward this to you? Sign up here to get the magazine newsletter. Listen to narrated versions of our articles every week. Download Audm for iPhone or Android. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for The New York Times Magazine from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018