A bomb threat delayed the global premiere of Lil Nas X’s new documentary at the Toronto International Film Festival this weekend.
As first reported by Variety, the screening in question was slated for 10 p.m. local time but ultimately didn’t kick off until around 10:30 p.. after festival organizers received word of the bomb threat. Sources cited in the report allege that the reported threat had “specifically targeted” Lil Nas X “for being a Black queer artist.”
At the time of the incident, Carlos López Estrada and Zac Manuel—directors of Long Live Montero—were already on the red carpet for the premiere. X was still in a vehicle at the arrival location, with festival organizers reportedly holding his carpet debut by about 20 minutes as officials looked into the threat, which was ultimately determined to not be credible.
Complex has reached out to reps for TIFF, Lil Nas X, and the Toronto Police Service for additional comment. This story may be updated.
In a statement included in Angelique Jackson and Matt Donnelly’s initial report, a festival spokesperson acknowledged the “slight delay” of the premiere due to what they described as a local police investigation “in the vicinity of the red carpet.” The rep also described this as a “general threat,” claiming it was not targeted a specific title or attending artist.
Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero, an official selection at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, held its world premiere at Roy Thomson Hall on Saturday. In addition to tour footage and backstage insight, the film features a look at X prior to his breakout success and resulting stardom.
We’re now almost exactly two years removed from the release of X’s blockbuster album Montero, featuring the Hot 100 No. 1 hits “Industry Baby” and “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).” As touched on in X's post-premiere documentary comments, it sounds like new music is indeed on the horizon.
