Lana Del Rey defends comments on female pop stars after backlash: ‘Don’t ever call me racist’

‘This is sad to make it about a WOC issue when I’m talking about my favorite singers’

Lana Del Rey has expanded on her controversial Instagram post after allegations of racism were made against her decision to call out a number of women of colour pop stars.

In her initial post, Del Rey complained that Doja Cat, Ariana Grande, Camila Cabello, Cardi B, Kehlani and Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé “have had number ones with songs about being sexy, wearing no clothes, f***ing, cheating etc”.

She continued: “Can I please go back to singing about being embodied, feeling beautiful by being in love even if the relationship is not perfect, or dancing for money – or whatever I want – without being crucified or saying that I’m glamourising abuse??????”

In a now deleted Instagram comment, Del Rey wrote: “I f***ing love these singers and know them. That is why I mentioned them I would also like to have some of the same freedom of expression without judgment of hysteria. There you go.”

Del Rey also addressed the fact that many of the female artists she mentioned in her original post are women of colour. “Bro. This is sad to make it about a WOC issue when I’m talking about my favorite singers."

“I could’ve literally said anyone but I picked my favorite f***ing people.” She continued: “And this is the problem with society today, not everything is about whatever you want it to be. It’s exactly the point of my post—there are certain women that culture doesn’t want to have a voice it may not have to do with race I don’t know what it has to do with. I don’t care anymore but don’t ever ever ever ever bro- call me racist because that is bullshit.”

Another comment from Del Rey echoed a similar sentiment: “By the way the singers I mentioned are my favorite singers so if you want to try and make a bone to pick out of that like you always do be my guest.

“It doesn’t change the fact that I haven’t had the same opportunity to express what I wanted to express without being completely decimated and if you want to say that that has something to do with race that’s your opinion but that’s not what I was saying.”

She added: “And my last and final note on everything—when I said people who look like me—I meant the people who don’t look strong or necessarily smart, or like they’re in control etc. it’s about advocating for a more delicate personality, not for white woman—thanks for the Karen comments tho. V helpful”

Del Rey also posted a video clip with the hashtag #f***off.