Lil Nas X Gives an Update on His Dating Life: 'I'm Going to Try to Go Steady'

ROE ETHRIDGE FOR CR MEN’S

Fresh off a record-breaking year during which Lil Nas X held a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for 19 consecutive weeks, won two Grammy Awards and even earned a spot on the coveted Time 100 Next list, the 21-year-old rapper, singer and songwriter is reflecting on his overnight success and the emotions that come with it in the latest issue of CR Men (on newsstands Oct. 9).

The “Old Town Road” artist fronts the 11th edition of Carine Roitfeld’s publication and in the candid cover story he admits, “Sometimes I’m laughing about it, sometimes I’m crying about it,” when asked about his newfound fame, adding, “I’m still discovering the magnitude of it all.”

ROE ETHRIDGE FOR CR MEN’S Lil Nas X for CR Men

ROE ETHRIDGE FOR CR MEN’S Lil Nas X for CR Men

Lil Nas X — who publicly came out as gay on Twitter in June 2019 — also talks about coming out to his family, revealing that his dad "said some very Christian things" including that his homosexuality "could be the devil tempting" him.

"It sucks," he added. "But I guess I saw it coming."

ROE ETHRIDGE FOR CR MEN’S Lil Nas X for CR Men

RELATED: Lil Nas X Says He 'Planned to Die' Without Coming Out as Gay: 'It Felt Like That's What I Had to Do'

Despite the ups and downs of his whirlwind rise to fame, the rapper is committed to forging ahead in both his career and his personal life: "I’m dating someone right now," he shared. "We’re not in a relationship yet, but it’s been on and off for the past few months. I’m maybe going to try to go steady this time."

ROE ETHRIDGE FOR CR MEN’S Lil Nas X for CR Men

“I feel like if I put any guy solo in a picture with me, we’re automatically dating," the star joked. "One time, I was sitting in Subway with my brother, and then a few hours later there was [a headline], ‘Lil Nas X and his boyfriend eating Subway to celebrate 17 weeks at number one.'"

The new cover story — throughout which the fashion risk taker dons pieces including metallic green Gucci pants, leather bell bottoms and a multicolor fur coat — comes on the heels of Lil Nas X's spring 2021 collaboration with Christian Cowan.

For the latest installment of their creative partnership (which began in 2019 when the eccentric designer dressed the rapper in a glittery suit for the Video Music Awards) Lil Nas X starred in the Christian Cowan spring 2021 campaign and even helped design the collection.

Speaking with CR Men about his signature sense of style, comprised of bright colors and bedazzled western wear, the star said his fashion choices were more subdued in high school. In fact, Lil Nas X said he wore "the opposite, pretty much" of what he does now because he didn't want his peers to question his sexuality.

"I didn’t want to draw any attention," he said. "I didn’t want any red flags."

ROE ETHRIDGE FOR CR MEN’S Lil Nas X for CR Men

Today, however, the star is keen on using fashion to make a statement (which means we've come to expect major red carpet moments from him!).

Reflecting on one of his most memorable looks, a hot pink cowboy suit with a matching moto jacket by Versace at the 2020 Grammy Awards, Lil Nas X told CR Men, "I’ve been trying to deviate from the norm that most guys wear—suit, tie… So when I saw the [Grammys] look, even as a sketch, I was like, That’s crazy. That’s a talking point. I want to get more in tune with that flamboyant side as well. It’s an ongoing journey."

The rapper's CR Men cover coincides with the debut of CR Fashion Book's community-themed issue.

In light of the events of the past few months, CR Men's sister outlet selected a diverse group of change-makers (singer Teyana Taylor, designer Telfar Clemens, Unorthodox actress Shira Haas and models and activists Halima Aden and Sharon Alexie) to front five global covers for its latest issue, all on newsstands Oct. 9.

RELATED: Lil Nas X Marks One Year Since Coming Out as Gay: 'Wow That Was Fun'

CR Fashion Book Issue 17 aims to inspire change, spotlight acceptance and empower a "reinvigorated future of uninhibited storytelling and borderless representation," a press release states.

"The intersectionality of fashion and community has always meant more to me than the clothing itself. I've always been interested in style and how people tell the stories of who they are and what they stand for through what they wear,” Lynette Nylander, CR Fashion Book Co-Creative Director & Editorial Director at Large, said in a statement. “In joining Carine [Roitfeld] to direct CR Fashion Book, I wanted to help craft a more inclusive message and have a wider audience see themselves within CR and I really believe this is the vision of fashion our world needs most right now.”