Lil Nas X adopts two kittens: ‘I’m the father who stepped up’


I am completely a cat person and believe they truly should be the ones who occupy dogs’ exalted place in our society. And when I find out someone else is also a cat person, it makes me like them more. So as if I didn’t like Lil Nas X enough, he’s now a cat dad since he adopted two kittens: Desani and Zephard. Both look to be tabbies, one orange and one gray, and both are completely adorable.

Lil Nas X is expanding his family.

The “That’s What I Want” singer, 23, announced he adopted two cats on social media by sharing photos of their adorable photo shoot and tweeting, “i’m not their step father, im the father who stepped up!”

In the photos, the two-time Grammy winner posed in a brown striped single-breasted blazer with matching trousers from Moschino’s pre-fall 2023 collection and accessorized the look with a large brown striped turban. The two cats were also dressed in matching brown outfits with large white lace collars.

The rapper holds up the cats in various images, showing them to the camera, and even shared a shot of one of the cats placing a paw on his nose and scratching him — with his reaction afterward. He teased the photo on Instagram, writing, “swipe to watch one of my cats scratch tf out of my nose.”

The cats — named Desani and Zephard — have opposite colorings, with one having dark gray fur with tufts of orange, white and light gray and the other orange and white fur.

Lil Nas X also uploaded a cute closeup of the two felines napping in a car side-by-side on his Instagram Story, though he didn’t give any information on how he came across the felines and adopted them.

[From People]

I love that he did a cute little photo shoot with his children. Though I do wonder how long those little lace collars lasted before those two little cats tore them to shreds. Anyway, I’m glad Lil Nas X got cats! They’re great companions and I always feel terrible that they seem to be a lot harder to home and are adopted at a much lower rate than dogs. It’s also great that he got two so they can keep each other company when he’s traveling. Although, some cats do have the disposition for travel. My cat is pretty easygoing about new places and since the pandemic/remote work she prefers to travel with me rather than staying behind. Maybe these little guys will be the same. And it is definitely a lot easier to travel with pets when you have celeb resources. Lil Nas X expressed some lukewarm views on cats in the past, but it appears he’s changed and I think he’ll be a great pet parent.

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29 Responses to “Lil Nas X adopts two kittens: ‘I’m the father who stepped up’”

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  1. Jais says:

    Okay, I am here for this! The collars!

  2. Liz Version 700 says:

    I am also a giant cat person and this makes me want to melt. Those are two lucky little kitties. He seems like the type to be a spring cat dad!

  3. C-Shell says:

    I’m primarily a dog person, but love cats, too, and feel like all the pups and kitties need to have homes. As someone who dresses my dogs up in cute outfits, I am all over the little matching shirts with lace collars!!! Freaking adorable.

  4. Snuffles says:

    I wish I could put my kitty in cute outfits but my girl won’t tolerate ANYTHING on her. No collar, no harness, no nothing. She wriggles out of everything like Houdini.

    I guess thats a trade off because she weirdly doesn’t mind me trimming her claws an and behaves like an angel at the vet.

    • Agreatreckoning says:

      It’s been 8 years now that we took in the Queen of Everything into our home. She was literally a starving stray at 6 months. Bad shape. I had hopes of maybe putting her in cute outfits, collars…no go. Can’t even say she’s Houdini. More like Edward Scissorhands if you try to put something on her. The most vocal cat we’ve had. An excellent hunter. And, oddly, she kneads her biscuits on areas that hurt. It’s a phenomenon.

      Love this about lil nas. He’s Cat Daddy. Yes to regular kittens/cats. His babies will be very well dressed.

      Love dogs too! Received an invite (because we donated) to meet the K9 German Shepherds police unit in our area. I’m nervous. What if they don’t like me? Fortunately, QoE told me I’m good to go. I passed her test.

      Now I’m hoping Lil Nas X incorporates his kittehs in his music videos.

  5. K says:

    I love this so much. Love that he chose to adopt 2 regular kitties. The combined magic of Lil Nas X and 2 kitties is fab. I wish the new family health and happiness❤️

  6. Emily_C says:

    You are correct about cats. And adopting 2 at once is the way to go so they will have companionship. He’ll be a great cat parent.

  7. Fuzzy Crocodile says:

    I don’t want to choose.

    I’ve had cats. Currently have a dog. I miss my cat’s purr. Lap cuddles. That head butt for more pets.

    My dog is goofy. He also tried to cuddle in my lap but is 100 lbs. and loves butt scratches.

    Different but awesome.

  8. Steph says:

    Peridot, I can’t decide if I think you’re wrong or not. Cats are, by far, the most popular pets in America. But even as I’m writing this I’m realizing that I’ve had cats all my life (I’m 39) but have never gotten one from a shelter or bought one. It’s always been a cutie on the street that I took home. It’s actually a pretty constant conversation on cat Twitter how people just randomly end up with cats. So, I guess I think you’re right. People aren’t going to shelters for cats, so they must be hard to home.

    • Turtledove says:

      My 3 cats are all from a shelter in MA. And they were all shipped up here from the south.
      So maybe in some ways it depends on where you are located?

      It is also my understanding that spaying/neutering doesn’t happen as much in the south, so if you have outdoors cats, you will end up with a lot of homeless kittens. I already have 3 cats and don’t want more, but you better believe if a homeless kitten showed up in my yard, I would take it in. It’s a lot less common to see a random homeless dog at your door.

      • Jen says:

        Good point. I’m in MA too and the last two cats we adopted were also brought up from the south; it’s where that rescue gets most of their cats (via volunteer transports from kill shelters). I agree region could have a big impact on people’s experiences with strays and adoptions.

  9. mtos says:

    I didn’t realize he is so funny.

  10. Green Desert says:

    “I’m the father who stepped up.” 🤣 God he’s such a delight!

  11. Snarkle says:

    I had to put my feline partner of 19 years down this week and have been an absolute mess. I love Lil Nas X for making me smile with his unabashed joy for his new babies.

    • Lizzie Bathory says:

      I’m so sorry for your loss. We’re currently dealing with terminal cancer for our 14 year old kitty, so I’m treasuring the time we have.

      Lil Nas X looks sweet with those squirmy kitties.

      • Snarkle says:

        I’m sorry, mine passed of the same. I am treasuring videos of regular things that I took of her- petting her, her laying on me, her purring and meowing and playing, her slow blink. It’s been wonderful to watch during the transition. I’d highly recommend.

      • Lizzie Bathory says:

        Thank you! I took a picture of him sunning himself this morning. I’ll make a note to get more videos, too.

    • Naya says:

      I’m sorry for your loss. It’s terrible having to say goodbye to family.

    • Jaded says:

      Loads of sympathy to you Snarkle, I’ve been there several times. Another fuzzy feline will come into your life when you’re ready.

    • rivkah12 says:

      I’m so sorry for your loss. It doesn’t get easier, but I’m sure you gave that kitty a great life.

  12. TIFFANY says:

    I just adore Nas and the photo shoot is just the extra you would expect from him.

    I want all the good things for Lil Nas X.

  13. Coco says:

    I love the photo shoot and the kittens are too cute.

  14. TwinFalls says:

    So cute! Happy family, love it.

  15. Rnot says:

    I can’t even the little lace collars! So adorable! I hope for a stream of fantastic cat content.

  16. j.ferber says:

    I’m not a cat person AT ALL, but Lil Nas X can do any damn thing he wants and I am fawning all over him and his adorable kittens. And this dude is only 23? He’s so much more mature and so much more of a man than dudes twice or three times his age. I stan for him forever and ever.

  17. pollyv says:

    In the words of Jackson Galaxy “never dress your cat in clothing” . Cats hate that.