Lana Del Rey has had many whirlwind romances.
They’re the subject of her critically-acclaimed albums, from Norman F**king Rockwell to Blue Banisters.
Her dating history ranges from lesser-known musicians to household names.
Axl Rose
In 2012, Lana was rumored to be dating the Guns ‘N Roses frontman after the two were spotted spending time together. It was never confirmed whether they were just friends or if they had a brief romance.
Barrie-James O’Neill
At the beginning of her career in 2011, she started dating singer-songwriter Barrie James O’Neill, who was in the band Kassidy. In 2012, she told Just Jared, “When I met my boyfriend … we always say that the entire time we were writing for each other, but we didn’t know it until we met each other. So, you feel like even though you didn’t know the person then all the songs are for them now.” They broke up in 2014.
She remains friends with Barrie-James.
They co-wrote various songs for her album Blue Banisters: “If You Lie Down With Me,” “Nectar of the Gods,” “Living Legend,” and “Cherry Blossom.”
Francesco Carrozzini
After parting ways with Barrie-James, Lana started dating photographer Francesco Carrozzini months later. They traveled around the globe together but their romance fizzled out by late 2015.
G- Eazy
Before the rapper dated Halsey, he was with Lana. They began their romance in April 2017 but only lasted together for a couple of months.
G-Eazy wrote a controversial song about their relationship.
In G-Eazy’s 2020 song “Moana,” he addressed their relationship, claiming that Lana tried to get back together with him: “I know a Keisha and I know Lana / They try to get me back, but I’m like, ‘No, nah, nah’ / I’m sorry, I don’t want no drama, nah / That’s a hard no, pass.”
Sean “Sticks” Larkin
Lana surprised everyone when she started dating someone who’s the polar opposite of her typical, artsy type: Sean “Sticks” Larkin. The police officer is the star of reality series Live PD. In Sept. 2019, they were photographed together in a park. Three months later, she made their relationship Instagram official in a since-deleted post. They broke up in March 2020.
Of all of Lana’s recent relationships, her breakup with Sean Larkin seemed to hit the hardest.
She wrote various songs about their relationship. One is “Tulsa Jesus Freak” off her album Chemtrails Over the Country Club, which references his home state. Another song that appears to be written about Sean is “Black Bathing Suit” from Blue Banisters, in which she sings about mourning the relationship while in quarantine at the height of the pandemic.
Clayton Johnson
After Sean, Lana started dating fellow musician Clayton Johnson in Aug. 2020. They reportedly met on a dating app. Fans speculated that the couple was engaged, but they split within less than two years together.
Jack Donoghue
While Lana often goes for musicians, Jack Donoghue was a surprising one for her to pursue, as his own work couldn’t be more different than hers. He’s the member of “witch house” electronic band Salem. In July 2022, they teased their relationship with since-deleted photos taken at Chicago’s Cook County Jail, which Lana captioned, “family visit.”
Jack had previously dated one of Lana’s friends
Before dating the “Ride” singer, Jack was in a relationship with her friend, Courtney Love. He was involved with the Hole frontwoman in 2011.
Lana’s engagement
In March, merely a month after parting ways with Jack, Billboard reported that Lana was engaged to musician and agent Evan Winiker.
They never made it to the altar.
The singer revealed that she and Evan called it quits in her cover story for Harper’s Bazaar.
The shocking reason behind the end of her engagement
Lana shared that Evan wasn’t a fan of her house. She explained, “I feel like even the most chill guy doesn’t really want to chill here. Sadly, part of you knows … that ain’t it. … That one shocked me. I won’t name names and whatever, but that one really shocked me, that person. That was actually the end of a relationship.”
A personality clash between Lana and Evan
Lana noted that Evan—whom she doesn’t refer to by name—had a “little bubble ego.” She said, “See, I don’t get to have one anymore. It’s been smashed to … what do you call it? Smithereens. I’m sure it’s somewhere in my toe. That’s it. I’d love to grow one. I’m learning how. I’m learning. I know what I want.”
The singer is back on the market.
When the interviewer asked if she’s currently in love with anyone, Lana responded, “Absolutely not in love. Have been, but no.”
Lana has no plans of starting a new relationship anytime soon.
She noted that it’s been a while since she’s craved romance. “It hasn’t crossed my mind in the last five months on the road or here yet. But give it a week. My history, sure, it’s coming for me at some point. Yeah. It would be interesting if it didn’t,” said Lana.
Lana has an interesting perspective on romance these days.
When asked if she can imagine going through life without the commitment to romantic love, Lana responded, “I think I would have to get my orientation toward where I want to be geographically stronger in my solar plexus, like a knowingness there, before I could tune into a stronger desire romantically. Because if you don’t feel a connection necessarily to the pavement you’re walking on, the love thing stays over there.”
Besides her romances, Lana Del Rey has a fascinating life.
Her unexpected beginnings
Despite her music’s close ties to California, she was actually born on the East Coast in New York City. When she was a year old, her family moved to Lake Placid, trading the big city for a quiet, small town.
Her name’s origins
Before adopting the stage name Lana Del Rey, she was known as Lizzie Grant. In an old interview, she said, I wanted a name I could shape the music towards. I was going to Miami quite a lot at the time, speaking a lot of Spanish with my friends from Cuba, Lana Del Rey reminded us of the glamor of the seaside.”
She started her music career in college—but didn’t study music.
Lana took a gap year after graduating high school, later deciding to attend Fordham University. Though she majored in philosophy, she was constantly writing songs. “There were these nights that I enjoyed so much, just staying up and writing songs,” she told Rolling Stone in 2014.
She’s not the only musician in the family.
Her dad Robert Grant was a businessman while Lana was growing up, but now he’s made a career switch. In 2023, he released his debut album, Lost at Sea.
She made her own music video for breakthrough single, “Video Games.”
It was uploaded on YouTube, and featured the singer singing directly into her webcam. The video also featured a collection of old Hollywood clips and paparazzi footage of Paz De La Huerta.
“Had I known so many people were going to watch the video, I’d have put some more effort into it. I would have got my hair and make-up done and tried not to be so pouty, seeing as everyone talks about my face all the time. And I’d have put more of a storyline into it,” she told The Quietus.
In 2017, Lana expressed her political views in a surprising way.
In February 2017, she claimed to have hexed President Donald Trump in a since-deleted tweet. She then confirmed she actually participated in a witchcraft, telling NME, “Yes, I did it. Why not? Look, I do a lot of shit.”
Regardless of her relationship status, Lana Del Rey’s life continues to be exciting.
