Lil Nas X passionately kissed one of his dancers after performing his hit song Montero (Call Me by Your Name) at the 21st BET Awards on Sunday.
The rapper-singer, 22, who came out as gay in 2019, wrapped his arm around two male dancing before locking lips with one of the hunks during the performance which went viral shortly after hitting the internet.
Lil Nas X, born Montero Lamar Hill, was living his Pharaoh fantasy onstage LA's Microsoft Theater with just three days left to go of LGBT PRIDE month.
Out and proud: Two-time Grammy winner Lil Nas X passionately kissed one of his dancers after performing his hit song Montero (Call Me by Your Name) at the 21st BET Awards on Sunday
The button-pushing moment echoed the moment Madonna kissed Britney Spears just a little more passionately than Christina Aguilera during her performance at the 2003 MTV VMAs.
The Georgia native later took to Twitter to defend his flamboyant performance from fans accusing him of disrespecting their African ancestors.
Lil Nas X - who boasts 48.4M social media followers - replied: 'Y'all really like to pretend homosexuality didn't exist in African culture.'
The Sun Goes Down singer's controversial track will appear on his long-awaited debut studio album, which finally drops later this summer.
Lip lock: The 22-year-old rapper-singer - who came out as gay in 2019 - wrapped his arm around two male hoofers but only made out with the one on his left side
Unapologetic: Lil Nas X (born Montero Lamar Hill) was living his Pharaoh fantasy onstage LA's Microsoft Theater with just three days left to go of LGBT PRIDE month
Courting controversy: The button-pushing moment echoed the moment Madonna kissed Britney Spears just a little more passionately than Christina Aguilera during her performance at the 2003 MTV VMAs
'LGBET': The Georgia native later took to Twitter to defend his flamboyant performance from fans accusing him of disrespecting their African ancestors
Lil Nas X - who boasts 48.4M social media followers - replied: 'Y'all really like to pretend homosexuality didn't exist in African culture'
For the awards ceremony, Lil Nas X showcased his chiseled six-pack abs in a golden loin cloth, matching boots, crown, cuffs, and collar.
All 15 of his dancers were men, at one point lifting him in the air for the show.
Several of them appeared to be skilled in voguing, which they highlighted during a choreographed arm formation like the Thousand-Hand Bodhisattva.
Lil Nas X was directly inspired by John Singleton's nine-minute 'short film' for Michael Jackson's Remember The Time in 1992 starring Eddie Murphy and Iman.
Excited? The Sun Goes Down singer's controversial track will appear on his long-awaited debut studio album, which finally drops later this summer
ABS-olutely fabulous: For the awards ceremony, Lil Nas X showcased his chiseled six-pack abs in a golden loin cloth, matching boots, crown, cuffs, and collar
Highlight: All 15 of his dancers were men, at one point lifting him in the air for the show
Strike a pose: Several of them appeared to be skilled in voguing, which they highlighted during a choreographed arm formation like the Thousand-Hand Bodhisattva
The Old Town Road star even arrived on stage in a black cloak just like the late King of Pop's hooded wizard, who entered an Egyptian palace to entertain the Pharaoh's bored Queen.
Backstage, Lil Nas X relaxed on a small purple couch.
The University of West Georgia drop-out dutifully posed with Constance M. Orlando - who's the executive vice president of specials, music programming, and music strategy for BET.
Lil Nas X also took a moment to embrace choreographer Sean Bankhead who, along with performance coach KJ Rose, crafted his four-minute concert.
Do you remember? Lil Nas X was inspired by John Singleton's (M) nine-minute 'short film' for Michael Jackson's (2-R) Remember The Time in 1992 starring Eddie Murphy (L) and Iman (R)
Echo: The Old Town Road star even arrived on stage in a black cloak just like the late King of Pop's hooded wizard, who entered an Egyptian palace to entertain the Pharaoh's bored Queen
The former Six Flags staffer - who will soon guest star on an episode of FX's Dave - also posed alongside Grammy-winning rapper Tyler, the Creator.
Earlier on the red carpet, he donned two very different pantsuits, featuring dainty patterns.
Lil Nas X first hit the red carpet in a plunging three-piece Andrea Grossi season one suit selected by stylist Hodo Musa.
Rather than a skirt, he was technically wearing wide-leg pants made to resemble an 18th century pannier.
Taking a breather: Backstage, Lil Nas X relaxed on a small purple couch
Mingling: The University of West Georgia drop-out dutifully posed with Constance M. Orlando (L) - who's the executive vice president of specials, music programming, and music strategy for BET
Mastermind: Lil Nas X also took a moment to embrace choreographer Sean Bankhead (R) who, along with performance coach KJ Rose, crafted his four-minute concert
Dynamic duo? The former Six Flags staffer - who will soon guest star on an episode of FX's Dave - also posed alongside Grammy-winning rapper Tyler, the Creator (R)
For his second look, Lil Nas X opted for a seventies-style Richard Quinn AW/21 suit complete with bell bottoms.
The two-piece creation featured a floral pattern normally seen on tea sets and there were embellishment and lace trim throughout the garment.
He's known to slay the red carpet by serving eye-popping looks that most men in the industry would never dare dream up.
Dainty patterns: Earlier on the red carpet, he donned two very different pantsuits
18th century pannier: Lil Nas X first hit the red carpet in a plunging three-piece Andrea Grossi season one suit selected by stylist Hodo Musa
'Yup': For his second look, Lil Nas X opted for a seventies-style Richard Quinn AW/21 suit complete with bell bottoms
2021 BET Awards Winners
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
AFTER HOURS - THE WEEKND
BLAME IT ON BABY - DABABY
GOOD NEWS - MEGAN THEE STALLION
HEAUX TALES - JAZMINE SULLIVAN - WINNER
KING’S DISEASE - NAS
UNGODLY HOUR - CHLOE X HALLE
CARDI B FT. MEGAN THEE STALLION - WAP - WINNER
BEST COLLABORATION
CARDI B FT. MEGAN THEE STALLION - WAP - WINNER
DABABY FT. RODDY RICCH - ROCKSTAR
DJ KHALED FT. DRAKE - POPSTAR
JACK HARLOW FT. DABABY, TORY LANEZ & LIL WAYNE - WHATS POPPIN (REMIX)
MEGAN THEE STALLION FT. DABABY - CRY BABY
POP SMOKE FT. LIL BABY & DABABY - FOR THE NIGHT
BEST FEMALE R&B / POP ARTIST
BEYONCÉ
H.E.R. - WINNER
JAZMINE SULLIVAN
JHENÉ AIKO
SUMMER WALKER
SZA
BEST MALE R&B / POP ARTIST
6LACK
ANDERSON .PAAK
CHRIS BROWN - WINNER
GIVEON
TANK
THE WEEKND
BEST NEW ARTIST
COI LERAY
FLO MILLI
GIVEON - WINNER
JACK HARLOW
LATTO
POOH SHIESTY
BEST GROUP
21 SAVAGE & METRO BOOMIN
CHLOE X HALLE
CHRIS BROWN & YOUNG THUG
CITY GIRLS
MIGOS
SILK SONIC - WINNER
BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST
CARDI B
COI LERAY
DOJA CAT
MEGAN THEE STALLION - WINNER
LATTO
SAWEETIE
BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST
DABABY
DRAKE
J. COLE
JACK HARLOW
LIL BABY - WINNER
POP SMOKE
DR. BOBBY JONES BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
BEBE WINANS - IN JESUS NAME
CECE WINANS - NEVER LOST
H.E.R. - HOLD US TOGETHER
KIRK FRANKLIN - STRONG GOD - WINNER
MARVIN SAPP - THANK YOU FOR IT ALL
TAMELA MANN – TOUCH FROM YOU
BET HER AWARD
ALICIA KEYS FT. KHALID - SO DONE
BRANDY FT. CHANCE THE RAPPER - BABY MAMA
BRI STEVES - ANTI QUEEN
CHLOE X HALLE - BABY GIRL
CIARA FT. ESTER DEAN - ROOTED
SZA - GOOD DAYS - WINNER
BURNA BOY (NIGERIA) - WINNER
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
AYA NAKAMURA (FRANCE)
BURNA BOY (NIGERIA) - WINNER
DIAMOND PLATNUMZ (TANZANIA)
EMICIDA (BRAZIL)
HEADIE ONE (UK)
WIZKID (NIGERIA)
YOUNG T & BUGSEY (UK)
YOUSSOUPHA (FRANCE)
VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD
CARDI B FT. MEGAN THEE STALLION - WAP
CHRIS BROWN & YOUNG THUG - GO CRAZY
DABABY FT. RODDY RICCH - ROCKSTAR
DJ KHALED FT. DRAKE - POPSTAR
DRAKE FT. LIL DURK - LAUGH NOW CRY LATER
LIL BABY - THE BIGGER PICTURE
MEGAN THEE STALLION FT. BEYONCÉ - SAVAGE (REMIX) - WINNER
SILK SONIC - LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN
CARDI B FT. MEGAN THEE STALLION - WAP - WINNER
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
CARDI B - UP
CARDI B FT. MEGAN THEE STALLION - WAP - WINNER
CHLOE X HALLE - DO IT
CHRIS BROWN & YOUNG THUG - GO CRAZY
DRAKE FT. LIL DURK - LAUGH NOW CRY LATER
SILK SONIC - LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN
VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
BENNY BOOM
BRUNO MARS AND FLORENT DÉCHARD - WINNER
COLE BENNETT
COLIN TILLEY
DAVE MEYERS
HYPE WILLIAMS
JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH - WINNER
BEST MOVIE
COMING 2 AMERICA
JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH - WINNER
MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM
ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI
SOUL
THE UNITED STATES VS. BILLIE HOLIDAY
BEST ACTRESS
ANDRA DAY - WINNER
ANGELA BASSETT
ISSA RAE
JURNEE SMOLLETT
VIOLA DAVIS
ZENDAYA
BEST ACTOR
ALDIS HODGE
CHADWICK BOSEMAN - WINNER
DAMSON IDRIS
DANIEL KALUUYA
EDDIE MURPHY
LAKEITH STANFIELD
YOUNGSTARS AWARD
ALEX R. HIBBERT
ETHAN HUTCHISON
LONNIE CHAVIS
MARSAI MARTIN - WINNER
MICHAEL EPPS
STORM REID
SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
A'JA WILSON
CANDACE PARKER
CLARESSA SHIELDS
NAOMI OSAKA - WINNER
SERENA WILLIAMS
SKYLAR DIGGINS-SMITH
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
KYRIE IRVING
LEBRON JAMES - WINNER
PATRICK MAHOMES
RUSSELL WESTBROOK
RUSSELL WILSON
STEPHEN CURRY