Lil Nas X let it rip during his Saturday Night Live musical guest debut on May 22, literally tearing his pants while performing his hit song “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).”
Midway through his first song on the season 46 finale of the long-running NBC sketch comedy show, the 22-year-old rapper and singer appeared to split his flame-emblazoned black leather pants during a steamy pole dancing sequence reminiscent of the track’s controversial music video.
“NOT MY PANTS RIPPED ON LIVE ON TV. OMFG NO,” Lil Nas tweeted after the show. “I wanted to do my pole routine so bad this what i get lmaoo.”
Surrounded by a hell-themed backdrop and shirtless dancers, the artist was noticeably caught off guard by the wardrobe malfunction, evidenced by a wide-eyed look of surprise as it happened, followed by a quick grab of his crotch for the remainder of the performance. Nevertheless, he finished out the song like a pro.
Lil Nas X dropped “Montero” on March 26, along with a video that generated plenty of controversy, which led to a spoof on SNL. In the visual, the artist at one point pole dances down to hell, where he proceeds to give Satan a lap dance. The track debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and went on to top both the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts.
For his second song on the SNL finale, hosted by actress Anya Taylor-Joy, Lil Nas slowed things down with a calming performance of his new single “Sun Goes Down.” Dressed in an all-white suit with fake bloody bullet holes, the rapper and single delivered the chilled-out acoustic song amid white fog while flanked by his backing band.
Watch Lil Nas X’s Saturday Night Live performances below.
