Conservative TV presenter on Monday Gregory Kelly took issue with the Lil Nas X medley from the 2022 Grammy Awards, calling the singer/rapper “a little fool with no talent” on Twitter.
“Lil NAS has a BIG PROBLEM (and so does America),” Kelly tweeted alongside a photo of the artist performing in a beaded crop top.
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“Lil NAS has a BIG PROBLEM (and so does America) – knock out NAS. You are a little FOOL with zero talent!!!! pic.twitter.com/rcdup3g8le
— Greg Kelly (@gregkellyusa) April 4, 2022
Lil Nas X, who was nominated for five awards at Sunday’s show, replied, “Damn Greg, all I did this time was wear a crop top,” followed by two crying emojis.
Damn Greg, all I did this time was wear a crop top 😭😭 https://t.co/p8w0E503U3
— MONTERO (@LilNasX) April 5, 2022
Kelly bitterly followed up with a retweet, proclaiming that the “bottom line” was “no public self-tapping,” to which the “Call Me By Your Name” singer responded with an apology.
It’s not the NAS shirt – it was the PUBLIC LEWDNESS. You know there are LAWS about it in certain “jurisdictions” – but then again, you’ve been to VEGAS, so who the hell knows. Conclusion: SINGING AND DANCING, but no public groping. DECENT! https://t.co/qHSIFPLnpL
— Greg Kelly (@gregkellyusa) April 5, 2022
Excuse. have a great night
— MONTERO (@LilNasX) April 5, 2022
Responding to Nas’ apology, Kelly softened his tone and said:
I didn’t like the performance. This shouldn’t have been on prime time TV. BUT I can’t deny that you have real talent. And it’s not nice to call someone a fool! You addressed me as “good-natured”. NP. Good luck, keep up the good work, just turn it down a little Next year!
— Greg Kelly (@gregkellyusa) April 5, 2022
Kelly is the anchor of Greg Kelly Reports on Newsmax TV, a conservative news channel. The photo he originally posted from Lil Nas X is from his performance of “Industry Baby” with Jack Harlow at the Grammys. The song earned him a nomination for Best Melodic Rap Performance. He was also nominated for Album of the Year for Montero, as well as Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Music Video for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)”.
The 22-year-old singer took to Instagram to express his disappointment at going 0-5 on Sunday night. In a video he sings: “I don’t win Grammys, it hurt my feelings, it made me cry. Zero out of five, that’s how many Grammys I’ve won. That made me cry, that made me cry.”
Live excerpt from @LilNasX next hit single “I ain’t win no Grammy (0-5)” pic.twitter.com/GVO3zKACEF
— Saun (@Saunburner) April 4, 2022
Lil Nas X fans have stormed Kelly’s Twitter, responding with memes mocking his homophobia and pointing to his apparent self-contradiction. In response to the comments, he shared a picture of himself in a revolution-era outfit, drawing attention to his “regal” pose:
THIS was when I was so into “Hamilton” – couldn’t wait to “see the show” – got a new outfit, The WHOLE ENCHILADA. But I was disappointed. They didn’t follow Ron Chernow’s book. And the “rappers” talked way too fast. But “to each his own” – I still have the DUDS – #Aristocrat pic.twitter.com/mf6kXMTO01
— Greg Kelly (@gregkellyusa) April 4, 2022