Lana Del Rey is no stranger to making headlines, given her penchant for making controversial Instagram posts and for appearing in public wearing what appeared to be a mesh mask during the pandemic .
When Lana recently shared the album art for her new record, Chemtrails Over The Country Club , she was probably hoping the headlines this time would be about the music, but that’s not the case.
Lana shared the album art to her Instagram, which depicts Lana with a group of her friends in a black and white photograph.
Seemingly trying to pre-emptively respond to criticism about the diversity or lack-thereof of the women on the cover, Lana wrote a comment saying, “I also want to say that with everything going on this year! And no this was not intended-these are my best friends, since you are asking today. And damn! As it happens when it comes to my amazing friends and this cover yes there are people of color on this records picture and that’s all I’ll say about that.”
“My beautiful friend Valerie from Del Rio Mexico, my dearest friend Alex and my gorgeous friend Dakota Rain as well as my sweetheart Tatiana,” Lana wrote, apparently listing which of her friends were POC.
“These are my friends this is my life. We are all a beautiful mix of everything- some more than others which is visible and celebrated in everything I do. In 11 years working I have always been extremely inclusive without even trying to,” Lana wrote.
“My best friends are rappers, my boyfriends have been rappers,” Lana added.
“My dearest friends have been from all over the place, so before you make comments again about a WOC/POC issue, I’m not the one storming the capital, I’m literally changing the world by putting my life and thoughts and love out there on the table 24 seven. Respect it,” Lana finished her comment.
Many fans felt that Lana identifying friends and boyfriends as “rappers” while talking about race was racist in itself.
“Lana del rey saying ‘some of my friends are rappers’ is the most racist ‘I’m not racist’ statement so far this year,” tweeted one fan.
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“Why is Lana Del Rey doing the “I got Black and POC friends and ex boyfriends, I cant be racist” thing unprovoked?” asked another.
“Girl, this comment is so bizarre,” one fan wrote on Instagram. “What are you talking about?”
“Such a messy comment. I’m honestly turned off. It’s like she’s adding more fuel to the fire she starter last May. Sometimes it’s better to not say anything at all,” one fan wrote .
Other fans came to her defense, claiming that she meant well.
“Lana Del Rey is under a lot of pressure and stress right now, this can’t be good for her mental health. her comment was bad. she should be held accountable. but i am just putting it out there that all of the body shaming and mean comments are probably getting to her,” tweeted one fan in Lana’s defense.
What do you think of Lana’s comment? Let us know how you feel in the comments!
