Lana Del Rey and Ethel Cain Beef: Timeline and Current Drama

The music world has been buzzing recently as Lana Del Rey seemingly escalates her ongoing tension with fellow singer Ethel Cain. Fans and media outlets have speculated on the origins of the feud, and the latest development comes via a snippet of a new song from Lana, which directly references Cain by name.

The Beginning: Admiration Turns Complicated

Interestingly, the tension between Lana Del Rey and Ethel Cain didn’t start as a feud. Early in her career, Ethel Cain was a huge fan of Lana Del Rey. Social media posts and old Tumblr accounts show Cain listing Del Rey as one of her favorite artists, alongside other alt-pop icons like Florence + the Machine and Marina and the Diamonds. She even covered Lana’s songs, including Born To Die and Mariners Apartment Complex, and credited Born To Die as the first album she ever bought.

However, as Ethel Cain’s career grew, critics began comparing her music to Lana’s, given their shared dark alt-pop style with Americana influences. Cain reportedly became frustrated with these comparisons, posting on social media that being continuously likened to Lana Del Rey was “lazy writing” and “a detriment to the expansive work of two female artists.” This tension laid the groundwork for later disagreements.

The Jack Donoghue Saga

The drama intensified due to a personal connection. Lana Del Rey dated Salem’s Jack Donoghue and famously posted a photo of the couple in front of the Cook County Jail in Chicago. Later, Ethel Cain posted a photo with Donoghue on social media, which was quickly deleted.

This incident seems to directly inspire lyrics in Lana’s new song snippet, where she sings:
“Ethel Cain hated my Instagram post / Think it’s cute reenacting my Chicago pose.”

The social media overlap and connection to a former partner appear to have further complicated their relationship.

Lana Del Rey’s Allegations

Lana Del Rey recently provided more context for her song on Instagram, explaining that she was disturbed after learning that Ethel Cain had allegedly posted “disturbing and graphic side-by-side images” of Lana next to unflattering creatures and cartoon characters, often accompanied by comments about her weight. Lana claims that Cain later began inserting herself into her personal life, which prompted her to address the situation through music.

These allegations add a more personal and emotional layer to the public feud, beyond just musical comparisons.

Ethel Cain’s Perspective

So far, Ethel Cain has had a limited public response. The only confirmed update from Cain is her Instagram story, noting that “Lana Del Rey has blocked Ethel Cain on Instagram.” Cain recently released her critically acclaimed sophomore album Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You, but has not commented further on the ongoing dispute.

Current Status and Music References

The feud reached the public ear most prominently with Lana Del Rey teasing a new song rumored to be titled All About Ethel, in which she explicitly references Cain. Lyrics include nods to Cain’s 2022 New York Times profile, “The Most Famous Girl at the Waffle House,” demonstrating how Lana is weaving the entire backstory—from online comparisons to personal grievances—into her music.

Fans are divided on the drama, but it is clear that this public airing of grievances marks a turning point in how both artists’ histories are viewed.

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A post shared by LANA DEL REY (@honeymoon)

What This Means for Fans

While the beef has drawn attention online, it’s important to separate the music from personal attacks. Her cinematic, narrative-driven lyrics, which often draw on personal experiences, are what Lana Del Rey is known for. Similarly, Ethel Cain’s music explores complex emotions and themes. Fans are encouraged to enjoy the artistry while respecting both artists, avoiding transphobic or abusive commentary online.

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