Lana Del Rey Faces Backlash Over New Album Cover

Lana Del Rey got backlash from fans over the album cover for her new album Chemtrails Over the Country Club. Del Rey posted the cover photo on her Instagram on Sunday. It features Del Rey and ten other women gathered around a table.

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“There’s always turmoil and upheaval and in the midst of it- there’s always beautiful music too introducing my new album chemtrails over the country club,” wrote Del Rey in the caption of her post.

Del Rey added a comment to the post clarifying that the women in the photo are her best friends. Del Rey explained that the group was made up of a mix of races.

“My beautiful friend Valerie from Del Rio Mexico, my dearest friend Alex and my gorgeous friend Dakota Rain as well as my sweetheart Tatiana,” wrote Del Rey. “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.”

Del Rey said she has been inclusive throughout her career.

“My best friends are rappers my boyfriends have been rappers,” she wrote. “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.”

Del Rey saw backlash from commenters regarding the problematic nature of her language. One commenter said the real issue is that Del Rey equated ‘rapper’ to ‘person of color.’ Another user reiterated this point saying it was “unbelievable tone deaf.”

A commenter said they understand her intentions, but don’t understand how she can get away with making problematic comments.

“If she’s going to breathe life into aesthetics of a time where racism was at one of its peaks and not use her platform in the same breath to advocate today’s issues properly, accurately, and tactfully. that’s an issue. I adore her, but I am so disappointed in her comment,” said the user.

Some fans defended Del Rey and claimed others were trying to villainize her.

“I’m so tired of this unreasonable and persecutory cancel culture. You don’t want her to evolve as a person, you just want to criminalize her so that you can feel superior,” said one commenter.

Del Rey faced similar backlash regarding race in May of 2020 after posting on Instagram.

“Now 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, (expletive), cheating, etc. — 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 glamorizing abuse?” wrote Del Rey.

Commenters said it wasn’t necessary to bring up the other female artists or to single out women of color. Del Rey defended herself saying the post was not about race and that she was simply defending the softer female personality.