LIL NAS X: Gay Pop Stardom + More

James White works with Lil Nas X and OUT Magazine to deliver a stunning cover story. Hodo Musa styles and brings together brands that include Chanel/Pechuga Vintage, Vivienne Westwood, Grete Henriette, Ludovic de Saint Sernin, ALLIGAORJESUS, Koral Sagular, AMANITOMI, Kyle Chan, MENAGERIÉ, at a private residence in Los Angeles.

Additional masked team members included Out‘s creative director Ben Ward; photo assistants Eric Larsen and Ethan Sharkey; digital tech expert Chad Brooks; stylist assistants Nash Koshiro, Anissa Silva, and Gorge Villalpando; grooming expert Stacey Kutz; beauty expert Anthony Nguyen; manicurist Jolene Brodeur; and videographer Anthony Morales.

In the interview by Tre’vell Anderson Nas X reveals experiences growing up in Atlanta:

“Growing up in the Atlanta area, I [saw] a lot of microaggressions towards homosexuality,” he recalls. “Little things like going into an IHOP and hearing one of your family members say, ‘Look at those faggots’ to two people eating or even just a small [statement like] ‘Boys don’t cry.’ Little shit like living in the hood, not being super into sports, and then having to go outside and pretend that I was.”