Lana Del Rey is at the center of a heated online discussion after a jaw-dropping transformation in her physique sparked tension with another rising artist.
The 40-year-old “Born to Die” singer has shed a significant amount of weight over the past year, bouncing back from the weight gain she experienced during the Covid pandemic.
But instead of universal praise, she recently found herself accusing fellow musician Ethel Cain of body-shaming.
Accusations Surface on Social Media
In a now-deleted Instagram comment, Lana opened up about her feelings toward Ethel Cain, 27, a transgender singer-songwriter.
She wrote that she first noticed side-by-side images comparing her to “unflattering creatures and cartoon characters,” accompanied by critical comments about her weight.
Lana added that hearing similar things from mutual friends and witnessing Ethel inserting herself into her personal life left her “definitely disturbed.”
Ethel responded to the drama via Instagram Stories, revealing that Lana had blocked her.
The exact origin of the tension remains unclear, but fans have long speculated about subtle jabs exchanged between the two over the years.
Fans Weigh In on the Feud
As the controversy went public, social media lit up with opinions.
Many fans expressed sympathy for Lana, criticizing the culture of body-shaming:
“I feel so so sorry for Lana Del Rey and all the comments on her weight that she had to face for years.
I swear to god I have no idea why people are so at ease to criticize her every single time,” one fan commented.
Others defended Ethel, noting a lack of clear evidence that she had ever body-shamed Lana:
“I wish I could find any evidence of body shaming. Lana stans please send them because…” one user said.
“I mean there’s no other evidence of Ethel body shaming Lana so people can’t say either way,” added another.
Lana’s Transformation Captivates Fans
Lana, who was known for her slender figure when she debuted in 2011, had gained weight during the pandemic and was often spotted indulging in fast food.
Her dramatic return to the spotlight with a slimmer physique, especially while headlining Coachella last year, has prompted speculation about how she achieved the look.
While some fans wondered if she used Ozempic, others point to her commitment to fitness.
Lana has a long history of strength training and has worked with renowned coach Kirk Myers, who also trains Taylor Swift.
Chiropractor Dr. Daniel Psaltis even went viral on TikTok praising her transformation as all-natural, saying, “Look at those quads.
That is not Ozempic, folks… That’s good old fashioned hard work in the gym. Her transformation is amazing, and doable for most people.”
Ethel Cain Emerges as a Rising Star
Ethel Cain, who broke into the music scene in 2022 with her debut album Preacher’s Daughter, quickly garnered critical acclaim and became the first openly transgender artist to land a top ten album on the Billboard 200.
Her sophomore record, Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You, was released on August 8. Cain’s indie-pop style has drawn comparisons to Lana Del Rey, which she has dismissed as “lazy” labeling.
Lana’s Ongoing Music Projects
Meanwhile, Lana has been focused on her tenth studio album over the last two years.
Initially envisioned as a country-inspired record titled Lasso, she scrapped it and later renamed it The Right Person Will Stay.
That title has also been abandoned, and the album currently has no confirmed release date.
The singer has recently wrapped up a sold-out stadium tour in the UK, keeping her busy while fans eagerly await her next musical chapter.