A Sydney busker was left shocked after recently realising she’d unwittingly been performing for a US music superstar.
Singer Shirina Holmatova took to social media this week to reveal that while busking in Sydney’s Pitt Street Mall, she was unaware she’d been performing for rapper Lil Nas X.
Taking to TikTok, an excited Shirina revealed that the Old Town Road hitmaker had even paid her a sweet compliment, in a video shoot moments after the chance encounter.
‘Oh my God, you guys,’ Shirina began the clip. ‘So I’m literally shaking right now.’
‘I was busking in the Pitt Street Mall – I’m literally still busing right now but I have to document this. I saw this guy and he had a face mask on and I was like I swear that guy looks like Lil Nas X.’
Shirina added that while she was performing a rendition of the Vance Joy hit Riptide, the rapper, who was disguised in a face mask, pulled out his phone to film.
A Sydney busker was left shocked after unknowingly performing for a US music superstar.
She was further shocked when the rapper walked up to her at the song’s conclusion to pay her a compliment.
‘[He had] a face mask on,’ she said.
‘Anyway he filmed a video of me and when I finished my song he clapped and he came up to me and he said, “you’re amazing” and then he walked away.’
Shirina went on to explain that her celebrity encounter was confirmed by a ‘random’ passer-by.
‘Then another random guy just came up to me and was like “that’s an awesome compliment to receive from Lil Nas X.”‘
‘Oh my f***ing God, I knew it was him,’ Shirina exclaimed. ‘I’m actually freaking out. I’m gonna cry. I’m actually gonna cry.’
It didn’t end there for the up-and-coming songwriter either, with Lil Nas X taking to his Instagram story to share his video of the performance.
The video showed a stellar rendition of the song by Shirina while Lil Nas could be heard gleefully singing along.
Singer Shirina Holmatova, took to social media this week to reveal that while busking in Sydney’s Pitt Street Mall, she was unknowingly performing for rapper Lil Nas X (pictured)
‘Oh my f***ing God, I knew it was him,’ Shirina exclaimed. ‘I’m actually freaking out. I’m gonna cry. I’m actually gonna cry.’
‘Oh my f***ing God, I knew it was him,’ Shirina exclaimed. ‘I’m actually freaking out. I’m gonna cry. I’m actually gonna cry.’ Lil Nas X is pictured with Camila Cabello
Prior to finding musical fame, Lil Nas X — born Montero Hill — was active on social media where he created memes and cultivated a following.
He landed mainstream media attention after the 2019 release of his hit Old Town Road, a genre-blending song that mixed country and trap elements.
Billy Ray Cyrus also hopped on the track via a remix, leading to the record gaining more popularity.
Lil Nas publicly came out as gay that June for Pride Month.
The fix-foot-two star later released his debut EP, 7, which featured hits like Panini and Rodeo.
In 2021, he was hit with controversy following the release of his self-titled track Montero that visualised identity, religious and LGBTQ+ themes.
At the time, we has under fire for selling 666 pairs of special edition ‘Satan Shoes’ that contained human blood.
The Nike sneakers sold out in ‘under a minute’ following conservative backlash against the rapper’s collaboration with the shoe giant.
It didn’t end there for the up-and-coming songwriter either, with Lil Nas X taking to his Instagram story to share his video of the performance
The video showed a stellar rendition of the Vance Joy hit Riptide by Shirina while Lil Nas could be heard gleefully singing along
In May, the Holiday rapper got candid with The Guardian about working on his self-love and prioritising himself.
When asked by the outlet who he most admires, he responded, ‘I have to say myself, because I know everything that he’s been through and still continues to go through. I admire him. So I vote me – I like him.’
Later in the interview, he claimed that his vehicle, a Jeep, is his most prized possession and said he would describe himself as ‘determined, emotional and hopeful.’
Lil Nas X also shared that ‘figuring out the best way to introduce the next version of myself’ keeps him awake at night.
