Grimes, the Canadian indie electro-pop singer, has taken to social media to make an urgent public plea to her ex-partner, billionaire Elon Musk, over their child's medical crisis. On February 20, 2025, she resorted to posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, after Musk appeared unresponsive to her private messages. The musician, whose real name is Claire Boucher, expressed her desperation to get Musk's attention, stating, "Plz respond about our child’s medical crisis. I am sorry to do this publicly but it is no longer acceptable to ignore this situation. This requires immediate attention."
Grimes shares three children with Musk: X Æ A-Xii, aged four, Exa Dark Sideræl, aged three, and Techno Mechanicus, aged two. Although she did not specify which child was facing medical issues, she made it clear to followers, "If you don’t want to talk to me can you please designate or hire someone who can so we can move forward on solving this. This is urgent, Elon." Her tone reflected the severity of the situation, as she warned, "our child will suffer lifelong impairment if he doesn’t respond as soon as possible."
The public acknowledgment of their parenting struggles has not been without previous disputes. Grimes has openly criticized Musk for using their son X Æ A-Xii, affectionately nicknamed Lil X, as a prop during public appearances, including when they became viral sensations at the White House with former President Donald Trump. Following this incident, Grimes commented, "He should not be in public like this," reflecting her concerns about the consequences of placing their children under the media spotlight.
Grimes' February 20 messages on X indicated her frustration boiling over. "I'm not giving any details but he won't respond to texts, calls or emails and has skipped every meeting," she wrote, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. "So I need him to f--king respond, and if I have to apply public pressure, then I guess that's where we're at." Her scathing acknowledgment of the drastic measures she felt forced to take shows how personal grievances have spilled over onto public platforms.
Following the media frenzy, Grimes deleted her original posts amid fears they were becoming part of "a media circus at the expense of the kids." She wrote, "I am deleting them now because if they're being shadow banned and not eliciting a response, then all it is is just sensationalism." Her decision reflects the delicate balance between raising concerns about serious issues and protecting her children's privacy, something she has navigated throughout her turbulent relationship with Musk.
The backdrop of this public plea stems from their complicated relationship, having started dating back in May 2018. They welcomed their first child together, X Æ A-Xii, before their relationship evolved, experiencing periods of breakups and reconciliations. Grimes described their relationship as fluid, indicating they remain on amicable terms for the sake of their children, but recent events highlight significant tensions.
Notably, issues like custody battles have also emerged as significant stressors. Grimes has previously criticized Musk for withholding their kids and has drawn attention to alleged obstacles she faced just to see her children. Her emotional struggle became evident when she stated, "Spent a year locked in battle in a state with terrible mothers rights, having my Instagram posts and modeling used as reasons I shouldn’t have my kids."
Their children's well-being threads throughout her impassioned posts, and the growing public curiosity about their family dynamic creates heightened scrutiny. With Musk possessing the resources and influence as one of the world’s richest men, concerns about involvement and responsiveness raise the stakes.
Celebrity culture increasingly intertwines with the reality of parenting, especially when the individuals are as prominent and public as Grimes and Musk. Grimes' public outcry encapsulates not just her personal frustrations but also broader conversations surrounding parenting, visibility, and the pressures many parents face. Musk has remained conspicuously quiet amid the urgency of Grimes’ pleas, with several followers pointing out her posts seemed to be ignored.
Grimes' messages highlight the tension of personal challenges clashing with public personas and the stakes involved when children are brought to the forefront of media coverage. The intersection of their public and private lives continues to captivate, with the severity of the medical crisis underscoring the importance of responsiveness and collaboration between the two parents.
Elon Musk, known for his numerous ventures and high-profile status, now finds himself at the center of this personal dilemma, illustrating how even the richest and most powerful can forge complex family dynamics fraught with challenges.