Page 25 - People (February 2020)

Scoop

Lil Nas X on Breaking

Out—and Coming Out

Big-time
A year ago Lil Nas X (born Montero Lamar runaway success. Support
Hill) was sleeping on a relative’s couch and After coming out “She’s super
dreaming of his next move. “My only vision as gay last year, cool,” the rapper
was to make it out of where I was as quick as he has gained says of Ellen
possible. I didn’t know what that would look even more fans—but wants DeGeneres, who
called him an
like,” he says. Now it’s hard to imagine a to continue to be known most “inspiration” at
world without his hip-hop-and-country- for his music. “There’s always the Grammys.
blending smash hit “Old Town Road,” which that fear that something will
landed him two Grammys last month and a overshadow your career,” he says. “So you
Super Bowl commercial for Doritos. “It feels just work harder to make sure that it
amazing,” says the Georgia native, 20, of his doesn’t.” — J A N I N E R U B E N S T E I N

Derek Hough

Heads to Vegas!
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ROBBY KLEIN/CONTOUR BY GETTY IMAGES; FRANCIS SPECKER/CBS/GETTY IMAGES; GEORGE
PIMENTEL/CONTOUR BY GETTY IMAGES; JOHN SALANGSANG/VARIETY/SHUTTERSTOCK; STEVE GRANITZ/WIREIMAGE

He’s conquered Dancing and it’s always been on there,”
with the Stars and toured the the dancer-choreographer,
U.S.—now Derek Hough is 34, says of his dance-centric
ready to take on Sin City show. “I want the whole room
with his own residency at to be my stage, to where I’m
the Flamingo Las Vegas really in the audience and on
beginning June 2. “There’s their tables. I’m going to bring
a list of things I want to do, it, that’s for damn sure.”
Derek’s sister Julianne might
just make a surprise
appearance as well. “I kind of
want to leave a space open for
moments like that,” he says.
Despite his busy schedule
with the new show, Hough—
who has been
dating fellow
Love nd
a
Family dancer Hayley
“We just want Erbert, 25, since
the best for each 2015—is still ‘HAVING
other,” says Derek focused on his GRATITUDE KEEPS
(top, with girlfriend ME GROUNDED.
Hayley Erbert in family life I NEVER TAKE
October) of his and the future. THE AUDIENCE
sister Julianne “I absolutely FOR GRANTED’
(below, in 2017). want to be a
dad someday,”
he says. “I already got
the dad jokes down, so
I’m set!”

— J U L I E J O R D A N

February 17, 2020 25