Seeing a loved one struggle is heartbreaking, but for Robert Stafford, the father of music star Lil Nas X, the pain was almost unbearable.
He recently opened up about what it was like to see his son, whom he still calls his “baby boy,” sitting in jail after a highly publicized arrest in Los Angeles.
The 26-year-old artist, whose real name is Montero Hill, was taken into custody last week after walking nude down a major street in Studio City and allegedly clashing with police officers.
He spent several days behind bars before being released on a $75,000 bail.
Father and Son in Tears
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Stafford recalled the moment he first saw his son in jail. “As soon as I walked through that door, I couldn’t do anything but cry,” he admitted.
Looking through the glass at Hill was overwhelming for the father, who shared that they both “shed tears with each other for a minute.”
Hill also gave his dad a message to share with the outside world: “Tell everybody I’m sorry they saw me like that.”
Despite his own turmoil, the artist was still thinking about the fans and public who witnessed his breakdown.
A Father’s Words of Comfort
Stafford didn’t just visit to cry—he wanted to remind his son that he wasn’t alone. He told Hill, “What you’re going through is normal.
We all have breakdowns every now and then, but the difference is, yours played out in the public eye.”
It was a father’s attempt to comfort a child facing both personal struggles and very public consequences.
Lil Nas X Speaks Out
After being released, the Old Town Road hitmaker took to Instagram to address his 10.3 million followers.
Standing outdoors in a lime green cardigan, he admitted that his four days behind bars were “terrifying.”
But instead of wallowing, he reassured fans that he would recover. “Your girl is gonna be OK, y’all,” he said with a small smile.
He repeated the line for emphasis: “She’s gonna be all right.”
The Charges He’s Facing
Despite his lighthearted tone online, the situation is serious.
Hill now faces four felony charges, including three counts of battery causing injury to a police officer and resisting an executive officer.
The trouble began on August 21 when police spotted him walking unclothed on Ventura Avenue.
According to reports, things escalated quickly when he allegedly charged at officers, leading to his arrest in the early morning hours.
What Comes Next
For now, Hill is out on bail, but his legal battle is far from over.
With court appearances ahead and felony charges on the table, the singer is in the middle of one of the toughest moments of his career.
Still, both he and his father have shown glimpses of hope—Robert with his reassuring words, and Hill with his promise to fans that he’s “going to be all right.”
