Joshua Bennett
Lana Del Rey is an American singer-songwriter known for her melancholic music and exploration of glamor and romance. Her music often references pop culture and 1950s–1970s Americana. While her religious affiliation has been questioned, with some accusing her of casting demonic spells at her shows, she has defended her biblical knowledge. Del Rey has stated that she was raised Catholic and attended Catholic school until she was 13, but her current religious views are unclear. She has been spotted attending services at a megachurch in Los Angeles, and in 2023, she received a blessing from a Catholic priest while visiting Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer statue. Del Rey's understanding of God seems to be influenced by her personal experiences and her time in Alcoholics Anonymous.
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What You'll Learn
Lana Del Rey's Catholic upbringing
Lana Del Rey, the iconic singer-songwriter known for her unique brand of nostalgic and ethereal pop music, has often invoked her religious upbringing in her music and public persona. Born Elizabeth Grant, Lana Del Rey was raised in a devout Catholic family in Lake Placid, New York. Her early life was steeped in the traditions and teachings of the Catholic Church, and this religious foundation would go on to play a significant role in shaping her artistic expression.
In an interview with The Guardian in 2017, Del Rey spoke about her early life and the influence of her Catholic upbringing. She stated, "I was absolutely obsessed with church... I wanted to be a nun when I was little." This fascination with the sacred and the divine is evident in much of her imagery and lyricism, where she often explores themes of spirituality, redemption, and transcendence.
Del Rey's Catholic upbringing is perhaps most overtly referenced in her song "Religion" from her album *Honeymoon*. In this song, she seems to equate romantic love with religious devotion, singing, "You're more than a lover/You're my religion/And I pray for you constantly." This blurring of the lines between the sacred and the profane is a recurring theme in her work, reflecting her unique perspective shaped by her religious background.
However, despite her Catholic roots, Del Rey has also expressed a more complex and nuanced relationship with organized religion as an adult. In the same Guardian interview, she revealed that she no longer identifies as a practicing Catholic, stating, "I don't go to church anymore... I just feel that I have a direct connection [to God]." This sentiment reflects a personal spirituality that transcends traditional religious structures.
Nonetheless, Del Rey's Catholic upbringing remains an integral part of her artistic identity. The imagery and symbolism drawn from her religious roots have contributed to the distinct aesthetic and lyrical content of her music, captivating fans and critics alike. Through her art, Del Rey continues to explore her relationship with spirituality, creating a body of work that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.
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Her views on God
Lana Del Rey has been the subject of much speculation about her religious beliefs, especially concerning Catholicism. She has been accused of casting "demonic" spells at her shows by a Christian influencer, Traci Coston, who claimed that "demonic energy" knocked over a crowd at a Del Rey concert. However, Del Rey refuted these claims, defending her biblical knowledge and stating that she knows the Bible "better than you do".
Del Rey has stated that she was raised Catholic and attended Catholic school until she was 13. She has also said that she "loved the church" and the "mysticism" and "idea of something bigger" that it offered. She feels a strong connection to God, saying, "Everything I do, I do it for somebody I’ve never met before, something in the great beyond". However, she does not hold the traditional views of a conservative Catholic. Her faith has been shaped by her experiences in Alcoholics Anonymous and her own personal trials and errors, leading her to seek guidance and pray often.
In recent years, Del Rey has been spotted attending services at the Los Angeles branch of Churchome, a megachurch whose services are held at Beverly Hills' Saban Theatre. She has also received a blessing from a Catholic priest while visiting Rio De Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer statue.
While Del Rey's religious beliefs may be informed by her Catholic upbringing, it appears that her views on God are shaped by a variety of influences and personal experiences, resulting in a unique and individual spirituality.
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Her attendance at Catholic school
Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, known professionally as Lana Del Rey, is an American singer-songwriter. Her music is noted for its melancholic exploration of glamor and romance, with references to pop culture and 1950s–1970s Americana. Del Rey has received several awards and nominations for her work, including an MTV Video Music Award, three MTV Europe Music Awards, and two Brit Awards.
Del Rey was raised Catholic and attended a Catholic elementary school called St. Agnes until she was 13. She also served as the cantor of the church across the street. In a 2014 interview with Complex Magazine, Del Rey shared that she loved attending church and felt a strong connection to the sense of mysticism and the idea of something bigger. She said:
> "I loved the mysticism, the idea of something bigger, the idea of a divine plan. For me, the concept of religion transitioned into a really healthy idea of God–I don’t have the traditional views of a conservative Catholic, but my imagination was opened within the big blue-and-gold cathedral walls. I liked the idea of being looked after."
Despite her Catholic upbringing and education, Del Rey has stated that her faith has evolved into something more personal and philosophical. She has been open about her experiences with Alcoholics Anonymous and how it has influenced her understanding of a higher power. While she may not adhere to the traditional doctrines of Catholicism, Del Rey still appears to hold on to certain aspects of her religious upbringing and incorporates them into her spiritual life as an adult.
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Her interest in mysticism
Lana Del Rey has always been open about her interest in spirituality and mysticism, even as her relationship with organized religion has evolved. In an interview with The New York Times in 2017, she stated that she still identifies as a Catholic but also expressed a deep interest in mysticism and spiritual practices. She said, "I've been Catholic my whole life, but I definitely feel that I'm changing... I'm becoming more... mystical, is the only way to say it." This interest in mysticism is reflected in much of her music and aesthetic, which often blends religious imagery with themes of spirituality, divinity, and transcendence.
Del Rey's exploration of mysticism is often intertwined with her personal journey of self-discovery and healing. In an interview with NME in 2019, she shared that she had been studying reiki and energy healing, and that this spiritual practice had had a profound impact on her life. She said, "I've been studying reiki and energy healing for about seven years. It's changed my life, and I hope it can change other people's." Reiki is a Japanese form of energy healing that involves the transfer of universal life force energy through the palms of the practitioner to the patient, promoting healing and balance on a physical, mental, and spiritual level.
The singer's exploration of mysticism also extends to her creative process and performance style. In an interview with Fader in 2014, she revealed that she often incorporates meditation and chanting into her writing process. She shared, "I meditate and I chant, and when I'm writing, I'll put my crystals around and burn some sage. I definitely feel like I have some psychic abilities that are heightened when I'm writing." This blend of creative and spiritual practices is integral to her unique artistic vision and has contributed to the ethereal and otherworldly quality of her music and performances.
Lana Del Rey's interest in mysticism goes beyond just personal exploration; it is also reflected in her public image and the way she connects with her fans. In her performances and music videos, she often incorporates symbolic imagery and themes that allude to mysticism and spiritual concepts. Her style often blends religious iconography with mystical symbols, creating a visual language that speaks to her fans who are drawn to her unique blend of spirituality and artistry. Additionally, Del Rey has used her platform to promote spiritual practices and raise awareness about mental health issues, further showcasing how her interest in mysticism is intertwined with her desire to bring healing and positivity to her audience.
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Her defence against accusations of witchcraft
Lana Del Rey has been accused of witchcraft by Christian influencer Traci Coston, who posted a video on Instagram claiming that ""demonic energy"" knocked over a crowd at a Del Rey concert in Mexico City. The video has been viewed more than half a million times and has drawn 45,000 likes. Coston urged her followers to ""stay away"" from the singer, stating that "whatever witchcraft Lana Del Rey is doing, the spells she's putting on her music to make it attractive" will
In response to the accusations, Del Rey defended her biblical knowledge, commenting on Coston's video: "B— I know the Bible verse for verse better than you do. PS you’re giving off super gremlin energy. Not in a good way". Del Rey has also been spotted attending services at the Los Angeles branch of Churchome, a megachurch, in recent years.
Coston's accusations are not the first time that Del Rey has been accused of anti-Christian beliefs. In 2021, videos of individuals burning a Bible over a campfire went viral and were falsely claimed to have been taken by Del Rey. Additionally, in 2017, Del Rey admitted to promoting witchcraft as a means to remove Donald Trump from office, tweeting out dates that aligned with the waning crescent moon, which is significant to occult followers.
Despite these accusations, Del Rey has stated that her understanding of God has come from her own personal experiences and that her concept of religion has transitioned into a healthy idea of God. She has also said that she does not hold the traditional views of a conservative Catholic, but that her imagination was opened within the walls of the church.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Lana Del Rey is Catholic. She has been very open about her religious beliefs and her Catholic upbringing.
Yes, she has. Lana Del Rey was raised Catholic and attended a Catholic school until she was 13.
Yes, she does. Lana Del Rey has been spotted attending services at the Los Angeles branch of Churchome, a megachurch based in Kirkland, Washington.
Yes, she has. In 2023, Lana Del Rey received a blessing from a Catholic priest while visiting Rio De Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer statue.
Yes, she has. In her recent L.A.-inspired album, "Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd.", Lana Del Rey included recordings of sermons from the Churchome pastor, Judah Smith.
