Lana Del Rey’s new relationship sparked a buzz online as fans reacted to her surprising choice of partner. Photos of the singer’s new boyfriend, a non-famous alligator tour guide, left many stunned.
Lana Del Rey, the enigmatic songstress known for her moody lyrics and vintage Hollywood persona, recently surprised many by stepping out with a new boyfriend after splitting up with her fiancé in 2021.
Lana Del Rey performing on day two of Reading Festival 2024 on August 24 in Reading, England. | Source: Getty Images
However, people were quick to criticize Del Rey’s new love interest, with some harshly commenting that he looked old enough to be her grandfather. Meet the singer’s new man, whose story is just as surprising as their romance.
Lana Del Rey performing during the Rock en Seine Festival on August 21, 2024, in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
Lana Del Rey’s Dating History
Lana Del Rey, known for her deeply personal and often melancholic lyrics, has kept her romantic life relatively private over the years. However, some of her relationships have inevitably made headlines.
One of her most publicized romances was with singer Clayton Johnson, whom she reportedly met through a dating app. The two quickly hit it off, and by August of that year, Del Rey and Johnson had started following each other on Instagram.
Their relationship reached a peak following their engagement in December 2020, a source confirmed. However, their love story was short-lived. By 2021, Del Rey and Johnson had gone their separate ways, a turn of events that left fans surprised.
Lana Del Rey at the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
“She’s been working on the new album. Lockdown had its struggles, and they have sadly gone their separate ways,” a source told The Mirror. The breakup seemed to have a profound impact on Del Rey, and traces of her feelings could be found in her music.
On her album “Blue Banisters,” she reflected on her struggles during lockdown, admitting that she had gained weight and was yearning for companionship. The singer also expressed her disillusionment with finding love.
Lana Del Rey at Variety’s Hitmakers Brunch on December 4, 2021, in Downtown Los Angeles. | Source: Getty Images
Lana Del Rey’s New Romance – Meet the Alligator Tour Guide Who Stole Her Heart
Del Rey’s latest romantic chapter has taken an unexpected turn, with the singer now linked to Jeremy Dufrene, a Louisiana-based alligator tour guide. Dufrene, known for his role as an airboat captain, guides tourists through the scenic swamps and marshes of Louisiana, offering an up-close experience with the local wildlife.
From alligators to egrets and countless bird species, his tours have captivated many, including Del Rey, who first crossed paths with him years ago. Dufrene’s journey to becoming an airboat captain was anything but conventional. Originally, he worked at a chemical plant, spending long hours on the job and shrimping on his rare days off.
But, after some encouragement from his family, Dufrene decided to make a change. He earned his captain’s license and joined Arthur’s Airboat Tours, where he quickly found his true calling. According to the company’s website, Dufrene never looked back on his previous career, fully embracing his new life on the water.
Away from the swamps, Dufrene is a dedicated father of three—two daughters and a son. He often shared sweet tributes to his children on social media, celebrating milestones and special occasions.
In May 2022, he marked his son’s 17th birthday with a heartfelt message on Facebook, saying, “Where all the time has gone [sic]? It felt like yesterday he was welcomed into this world.”
Just a year later, he paid tribute to his daughters on National Daughters’ Day, expressing his love for them “[to] the moon and back.” In October 2023, he commemorated his daughter’s 16th birthday with another touching post, showing the softer side of the man who spent his days navigating Louisiana’s wild waterways.
Del Rey and Dufrene’s connection appeared to go back several years. In 2019, Del Rey shared photos of an airboat tour she took with Dufrene, humorously captioning one of the images, “Jeremy lemme be captain at Arthur’s Air Boat Tours.”
The playful photos showed Del Rey steering the airboat with Dufrene’s guidance, hinting at the early spark between the two. Though relatively unknown in celebrity circles, Dufrene’s airboat tours have drawn notable attention in the past.
In 2015, actor Glen Powell shared a picture of himself and Dufrene on an airboat, joking in the caption about their friendship and swamp adventures. “J-Bone and G-Trash. We’re both single and ready to mingle,” the playful caption read in part.
In May 2024, Del Rey tagged Dufrene in an Instagram photo featuring her siblings, captioning the image, “Family w my guy @jeremy.dufrene @codyjay,” subtly acknowledging their relationship.
Public appearances have fueled the speculation further. In August 2024, the couple was spotted at the Leeds Festival in England, where Del Rey was headlining. While Del Rey wowed in a thin-strap dress, Dufrene kept it casual in a baseball cap and a dark outfit.
Lana Del Rey and Jeremy Dufrene spotted at the Leeds Festival in August 2024 in England. | Source: TikTok/chrislloydart
A TikToker captured a video of the two walking hand-in-hand, adding more fuel to the fire of their romance rumors. Earlier that month, another social media user snapped a candid photo of Del Rey and Dufrene enjoying lunch together in London, solidifying their status as a couple.
The singer and her new boyfriend’s relationship sparked significant online chatter. Many social media users were quick to comment on Dufrene’s appearance and the couple’s apparent age gap, as he appeared considerably older than Del Rey, 39.
“That’s her grandpa,” one person commented. Another person shared, “That’s her bf or her dad?” “Well…she’s into old guys again ig, (sic)” a third person wrote. “Grandpa friend” another person added.
More social media users shared the sentiment that Dufrene appeared much older than Del Rey, with one person commenting, “Hmm the boyfriend seems to be too old for her but…” Another social media user typed, “Bf too old,” and another said of Dufrene, “Is he homeless?” “He is very old. Like grandpa,” another social media user added.
Lana Del Rey’s new relationship with Jeremy Dufrene, a man seemingly from a completely different world, has caught many by surprise. As someone outside the celebrity sphere, Dufrene’s low-key lifestyle contrasts sharply with Del Rey’s high-profile life.
While some fans expressed reservations, particularly about his older appearance, the singer appeared content and happy in her new romance.