Written by Jacqui Palumbo, CNN
Lil Nas X might have carried a stripper pole to hell in his music video for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)”, but his all-white ensemble for the 2022 Grammys red carpet was a purely angelic look. It’s already becoming one of the most talked about outfits of the night, propelling him onto the internet’s best dressed lists.
The rapper and singer is nominated for five awards tonight, including Song of the Year and Album of the Year, and he arrived dressed in pearls and diamonds for the occasion.
The tailored Balmain suit is quilted, has a high collar and is embroidered with butterflies, reminiscent of his other dramatic, armor-inspired looks from last year’s Met Gala (he changed into three different outfits for the event). Along with the suit, he wore heeled platform shoes and a touch of light blue eyeshadow.
A close-up of a butterfly design on Lil Nas X’s Grammys outfit. Credit: Lester Cohen/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
The rapper and singer combined his look with thick platforms. Credit: Angel Weiss/AFP/Getty Images
Before the show, Lil Nas X bullied his followers took to Twitter with a vintage photo of themselves in a printed long-sleeved top and bright orange belted pants, saying he’d hit the red carpet and “he looks absolutely gorgeous.”
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The 22-year-old artist already has two Grammys under his belt for his breakout song “Old Town Road” and is hoping to add more tonight for his much-talked-about debut album. Before the ceremony, he joked on Twitter and said, “If I don’t go to Grammys tomorrow, I’ll officially hand over my resignation letter to the Illuminati.”
Lil Nas X wears Balmain. Credit: David Fisher/Shutterstock
During the awards ceremony, Lil Nas X took the stage to perform a medley of songs, including one featuring Jack Harlow, and transformed into several bold looks. He wore a jeweled, cropped, one-sleeved top, which the writer Meecham Whitson Meriweather named his “Dangerously in Love Album Cover Moment” in reference to Beyoncé’s 2003 album cover. 
Lil Nas X later performed onstage at the awards ceremony. Credit: Rich Fury/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
But he also appeared to be paying tribute to Michael Jackson in another outfit that resembled the late pop star’s iconic style, with a suit jacket adorned with silver shoulder pads and intricate detailing.