
He didn’t give the devil a lapdance like he does in the video for his “Montero” single, but Lil Nas X gave one of the most provocative musical performances in recent “Saturday Night Live” history this weekend — and that was before he split his pants while working a stripper pole.
The malfunction occurred during a steamy performance of “Montero (Call Me by Your Name),” which began with him working a hell-themed set in a flame-emblazoned, physique-bearing leather outfit, accompanied by six shirtless male dancers, one of the whom licked his neck mid-song. As the performance neared its close, Nas began working the pole, and as he squatted down toward the floor, yep, he split his pants. After a comically stunned “Oh NO!” look followed by a priceless embarrassed smile, he finished the song as one long crotch grab, without missing a note or a cue. (Watch the full performance below.)
Related Stories

New Live Music Data Suggests Cautious Optimism

Christopher Ciccone, Artist and Brother of Madonna, Dies at 63
Twitter didn’t miss its opportunity, and Nas quickly got in on the action himself…
Popular on Variety
OMFG NO
— ☆ ‧‧̩̥·‧•̥̩̥͙‧·‧̩̥˟͙冬˟͙‧̩̥l (@LilNasX) May 23, 2021
FROM THE SPONGEBOB REFERENCES IN THE MONTERO MV TO THIS NOW. THIS MAN TRULY IS A REAL LIFE SPONGEBOB pic.twitter.com/4Qv4tHb8Hf
— DIANE RASHIDI ® (@DIANERASHIDI) May 23, 2021
https://twitter.com/MessyMindofMe/status/1396319705225482240
i wanted to do my pole routine so bad this what i get lmaoo
— ☆ ‧‧̩̥·‧•̥̩̥͙‧·‧̩̥˟͙冬˟͙‧̩̥l (@LilNasX) May 23, 2021
Initial reactions were mostly positive …
Flawless recovery! #LilNasX #snl pic.twitter.com/noQGEfkuk1
— Chaotic neutral (@atira_atira_) May 23, 2021
Such a cutie. Someone go get him some sweats @lilnasx #snl pic.twitter.com/6XDgdb2AAv
— Walter Crankykite (@crankykite) May 23, 2021
https://twitter.com/LauraWKanter/status/1396339477774278656
The second performance, of his new single “Sun Goes Down,“ was much more straightforward, as he sang the song in a sleek white suit embellished with a fake bullet wounds over his heart and stomach. He finished the song with a big smile, calling out to the audience, “I love you all!”
He also appeared in a pre-recorded Pride-themed video sketch earlier in the show, taking a verse while wearing a pink outfit bedecked with a giant-feathered headdress. (Watch below.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbqLa4uOzo0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXJDDoW0U3Y
It’s Pride agaiiiin! #SNLFinale pic.twitter.com/EZc35oQzIz
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) May 23, 2021
Read More About:
Jump to CommentsMore from Variety
Tommy Cash, Country Musician and Brother of Johnny Cash, Dies at 84
Late-Night TV vs. YouTube: Data-Driven Tips on Which Is Better for Celebs Promoting Films
JD Souther, Singer Who Co-Wrote Eagles Classics Like ‘New Kid in Town,’ Dies at 78
Mike Sneesby Resigns as CEO of Australia’s Nine Entertainment
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Success Doesn’t Downplay Risky Reboots Coming to Theaters
Mark Shopiro, Dan Slepak, Hwei Loke Elevated as Prime Video Tweaks Management in Canada, Australia and New Zealand
Most Popular
Inside the 'Joker: Folie à Deux' Debacle: Todd Phillips ‘Wanted Nothing to Do’ With DC on the $200 Million Misfire
‘Menendez Brothers’ Netflix Doc Reveals Erik’s Drawings of His Abuse and Lyle Saying ‘I Would Much Rather Lose the Murder Trial Than Talk About Our…
‘Kaos’ Canceled After One Season at Netflix
‘Joker 2’ Axed Scene of Lady Gaga’s Lee Kissing a Woman at the Courthouse Because ‘It Had Dialogue in It’ and ‘Got in the Way’ of a Music…
Saoirse Ronan Says Losing Luna Lovegood Role in ‘Harry Potter’ Has ‘Stayed With Me Over the Years’: ‘I Was Too Young’ and ‘Knew I Wasn't Going to Get…
Kamala Harris Cracks Open a Miller High Life With Stephen Colbert on ‘The Late Show’
Kathy Bates Won an Oscar and Her Mom Told Her: ‘You Didn't Discover the Cure for Cancer,’ So ‘I Don't Know What All the Excitement Is About…
Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried to Star in ‘The Housemaid’ Adaptation From Director Paul Feig, Lionsgate
‘Skyfall’ Director Sam Mendes Says James Bond Studio Prefers Filmmakers ‘Who Are More Controllable’: ‘I Would Doubt’ I’d…
Kamala Harris Watches Maya Rudolph’s ‘SNL’ Impression, Praises the Mannerisms: ‘She’s So Good!’
Must Read
- Film
COVER | Sebastian Stan Tells All: Becoming Donald Trump and Starring in 2024’s Most Controversial Movie
By Andrew Wallenstein 3 weeks
- TV
Menendez Family Slams Netflix’s ‘Monsters’ as ‘Grotesque’ and ‘Riddled With Mistruths’: ‘The Character Assassination of Erik and Lyke Is Repulsive…
- TV
‘Yellowstone’ Season 5 Part 2 to Air on CBS After Paramount Network Debut
- TV
50 Cent Sets Diddy Abuse Allegations Docuseries at Netflix: ‘It’s a Complex Narrative Spanning Decades’ (EXCLUSIVE)
- Shopping
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Sets Digital and Blu-ray/DVD Release Dates
Sign Up for Variety Newsletters
By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy.We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. // This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.Variety Confidential
ncG1vNJzZmiukae2psDYZ5qopV9nfXN9jqasrKGTZLumw9Joo6KkXaOutHnPmqWtq12ova21062gp59drK6zsNGomZ5lnZa5p8HNnKuip55iwKLA1KubmrFdo7aotNNmo6KulWLAr7iMamlsbGlshneBk2g%3D