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30 Sep 2024

Lady Gaga Says It Was ‘Kind of Fun’ That French Prime Minister’s Office Accidentally Revealed Her Engagement

Lady Gaga loves a surprise, but even she wasn’t prepared when the world found out she was engaged to fiancé Michael Polansky in July thanks to an unexpected announcement. During an appearance on the Graham Norton Show last week to promote her role as Harley Quinn in Joker: Folie à Deux, Gaga revealed that she was not planning to tell the world the good news at the time.

Gaga, who was in Paris for her eye-popping performance during the opening ceremonies for the summer Olympics, accidentally spilled the beans in a video in which she introduced herself and her longtime love as her “fiancé” in a chat with French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal. The clip was then posted to Attal’s TikTok feed and suddenly the news was out.

“The prime minister actually had his people filming us while they were saying hello and they caught me saying, ‘Oh, this is my fiancé,’” Gaga told Norton. “And I was trying to keep it hidden, but then they announced it to everyone. But that was kind of fun.” She noted that Polansky had proposed on April 1st, which led her to suspect that it might have been an April Fools’ Day joke.

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“Actually, I thought he was joking and he was not. But it was really nice,” she said. Gaga and Polansky were first spotted kissing at a 2020 New Year’s Eve party and made their relationship Instagram official with a post that February, referring to Polansky as “the love of my life” in an interview later that year.

Gaga just released her Joker companion album, Harlequin, which features a mix of jazzy standards alongside the originals “Happy Mistake,” “The Joker,” and “Folie à Deux”; Joker: Folie à Deux is out on Friday (Oct. 4).

Watch Gaga talking engagement reveal on Graham Norton Show below.

30 Sep 2024

Ahead of Tuesday’s Vice Presidential Debate, Let’s Look Back on the Only No. 1 Hot 100 Hit Composed by a Future VP

As we await the only vice presidential debate of the 2024 campaign, a showdown between Democratic nominee Tim Walz and Republican nominee JD Vance on Tuesday (Oct. 1), let’s look back on the only No. 1 hit on the Hot 100 that was written or co-written by a future VP.

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The hit was Tommy Edwards’ “It’s All in the Game,” a philosophical romantic ballad which topped the Hot 100 for six weeks in the fall of 1958. Charles Gates Dawes, a self-taught pianist, flutist and composer, composed the melody in 1911 under the title “Melody in A Major.” Dawes later became an American diplomat and Republican politician, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and a TIME magazine cover subject. He served as the 30th VP of the U.S. from 1925-29 under Calvin Coolidge.

Dawes’ melody was not a major hit under its original title, but noted lyricist Carl Sigman remembered it and 40 years later added lyrics to it, transforming it into “It’s All in the Game.” Sigman’s most memorable lyric: “Once in a while he won’t call/ But it’s all in the game.” Edwards first recorded the song in 1951, the same year Sigman added lyrics to it. His pretty, but unremarkable, recording reached No. 18 on Billboard’s Disk Jockey and Best Sellers charts.

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The great Nat “King” Cole included the song on his 1957 album Love Is the Thing, which topped the Billboard 200 for eight consecutive weeks.

In 1958, Edwards re-recorded the song, giving it a light doo-wop flavor which made it compatible with pop playlists — which by that point included a lot of doo-wop and rock and roll. Leroy Holmes was the orchestra leader on both versions. Both versions were released on the same label (MGM Records). But the differences are stark. The earlier version is awash in strings; the update is leaner. And Edwards doesn’t rush through the lyrics. Inserting pauses on two key lines (“You have words/ With him” and “And he’ll kiss/ Your lips”) adds considerable drama.

A re-release of the 1951 “traditional pop” version would likely not have succeeded in 1958 – music had changed a lot in the intervening seven years – but the re-recording was a smash. It reached No. 1 on the Hot 100 in seven weeks, bumping Domenico Modugno’s “Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blue (Volare)” (which went on to win Grammys for record and song of the year) from the top spot in September 1958. “It’s All in the Game” remained on top for six consecutive weeks, before being replaced by Conway Twitty’s “It’s Only Make Believe.”

Unfortunately, Dawes died in April 1951, shortly before Sigman added lyrics to his tune, so he never knew that the little ditty he wrote 40 years earlier was about to become a hit, and later, a timeless classic.

Edwards returned to the top 20 on the Hot 100 three times by 1960, with “Love Is All We Need,” “Please Mr. Sun” and “I Really Don’t Want to Know.” He died in 1969 at age 47 due to complications from cirrhosis of the liver.

“It’s All in the Game” has returned to the top 30 on the Hot 100 twice. British pop singer Cliff Richard took it to No. 25 in 1964. Motown greats the Four Tops took it to No. 24 in 1970. In addition, Eddie Holman featured the song as the B-side of “Hey There Lonely Girl,” a No. 2 Hot 100 hit in 1970.

The Four Tops’ recording made the top 10 on what was then called Best Selling Soul Singles. The song was also a big country hit, making it a true multi-format smash. Tom T. Hall’s single reached No. 12 in 1977 on what was then called Hot Country Singles.

Numerous other artists have recorded the song, including Barry Manilow, on his Billboard 200-topping album The Greatest Songs of the Fifties (2006), and George Benson on his double-live album Weekend in L.A., which made the top five in 1978. The song also appeared on top 10 albums by pianist Roger Williams, bandleader Lawrence Welk and actor/singer George Maharis (a regular on Route 66).

Donny & Marie Osmond recorded the song in 1975. Earlier that year, they had a top 10 hit on the Hot 100 with “Morning Side of the Mountain,” which was Edwards’ first chart hit in 1951, right before “It’s All in the Game.”

Other artists to have recorded “It’s All in the Game” include Ricky Nelson, Keely Smith, Robert Goulet, Andy Williams, The Lettermen, Sandy Posey, Bobby Vinton, Bing Crosby, Brook Benton, Freddy Fender, Van Morrison, Issac Hayes, Glenn Jones, Merle Haggard & the Strangers and Johnny Mathis & Take 6.

In addition to being the only future VP to have written or co-written a No. 1 Hot 100 hit, Dawes is one of just two people credited with writing or co-writing a No. 1 hit who have also won a Nobel Prize. He shares that distinction with Bob Dylan, whose many hits include “Mr. Tambourine Man,” a No. 1 for The Byrds in 1965. Dawes was a co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1925 for his work on the Allied Reparations Commission, where he helped formulate the Dawes Plan to aid the struggling German economy. Dylan won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016.

Sigman, the lyricist of “It’s All in the Game,” wrote many famous songs over the course of his long career, including “Pennsylvania 6-5000,” “Crazy He Calls Me,” “Ebb Tide,” “What Now My Love,” “You’re My World” and “(Where Do I Begin) Love Story.” He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972 and died in 2000 at age 91.

CBS Evening News anchor Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan of CBS’ Face the Nation are set to moderate Tuesday’s VP debate.

30 Sep 2024

J Balvin & Peso Pluma Kick Off Western Expansion for Dear U’s Fan-Artist Communication App Bubble: Exclusive

A trailblazer in fan communication, Dear U has officially begun the expansion of its messaging platform, Bubble, into the Western market with J Balvin and Peso Pluma.

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Billboard can exclusively share that starting Sept. 30, the Latin music powerhouses will be the “first of many artists outside of Asia” to engage with fans through Dear U’s newly launched U.S. version of the platform. The duo joins a large number of K-pop artists using the Bubble platform (also known as “the bubble”) to share private messages, voice notes, video content, and behind-the-scenes moments with subscribers including chart-toppin acts like Stray Kids, (G)I-DLE, BLACKPINK‘s Jisoo and Lisa, as well as a handful of Korean actors, athletes and content creators.

Since launching its artist-to-fan messaging service in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic era of social distancing, Dear U’s various Bubble apps have become a top marketing and social tool in the K-pop and Asian entertainment industries, currently connecting more than 600 artists to communicate directly with some of their most dedicated fans. With the company reporting over 73 percent of its two million paid subscribers living outside of Korea, introducing these two chart-toppers mark a significant shift to expand its offerings to the Western landscape successfully.

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“While the entertainment market continues growing, the service industry leveraging fandoms has not received as much attention,” Chong-oh An, the CEO of Dear U, tells Billboard. “In Korea, where fandom culture is fully established, Dear U has built a business model to harness this culture. Our aim is to introduce a fresh perspective to the global entertainment landscape and bring new excitement to fans around the world.”

While platforms like HYBE’s Weverse launched services like Weverse DM as a paid messaging service in 2023, Bubble was first to market in 2020 in launching the service for a slate of artists under the SM Entertainment roster. Dear U’s major shareholders are SM Entertainment (home to groups and Bubble users like NCT, aespa and Lucas) and JYP Entertainment (J.Y. Park, TWICE and ITZY), with the companies also featuring some of their international acts like SM’s China-focused boy band WayV and JYP’s Japan-based girl group NiziU partaking in the platform.

With a combined 13 No. 1s on the Hot Latin Songs chart, 50 Billboard Hot 100 entries between them, as well as highly dedicated fan engagement across their social media accounts, J Balvin and Peso Pluma are seen as ideal partners for Dear U’s next phase with Bubble.

“For me, it has always been important to be connected to my fans, La Familia,” says current Billboard cover star, J Balvin, in a statement. “I love reading comments and conversations so it’s exciting to communicate with fans no matter what their first language might be. This is why the Bubble is the perfect platform to keep in touch.”

“Peso Pluma wouldn’t exist without our dedicated fans who have supported us since the very beginning,” the 25-year-old Mexican rapper-singer adds. “Even though we don’t speak the same language, our music is crossing borders and I’m always excited to find new ways, such as through this partnership with Bubble, to connect with them.”

Teasing that Bubble’s services will “continue expanding into different genres across Western markets with major superstars,” the international, U.S. app can be downloaded here or for Android here. Fans can subscribe to an artist’s Bubble platform, which costs $4.99 per month per artist. Read on for more insight into Bubble’s big moment from Dear U’s CEO Chong-oh An.

Billboard: Congratulations on the latest news about the expansion and new offerings with Dear U. What does this moment signify for the company?

Chong-oh An: This moment signifies Dear U’s global expansion to the Western market. While the entertainment market continues growing, the service industry leveraging fandoms has not received as much attention. In Korea, where fandom culture is fully established, Dear U has built a business model to harness this culture. Our aim is to introduce a fresh perspective to the global entertainment landscape and bring new excitement to fans around the world.

Why were J Balvin and Peso Pluma the right partners to kick off the expansion?

Both of these artists are extremely popular, beloved, and influential. But they also bring unique cultural significance and strong fan engagement to the table. J Balvin and Peso Pluma frequently interact with their followers on social media, creating a sense of community and loyalty that aligns perfectly with Dear U’s mission to enhance artist-fan communication.

J Balvin and Peso Pluma are huge names in the Latin market and community. Was there a specific reason you wanted to team with Latin artists after primarily focusing on Asian and K-pop talent?

Our goal is to help connect artists with their loyal fans around the world, regardless of genre or market. Latin music has truly gone global over the past few years, and we are providing a platform to connect these passionate fanbases. J Balvin’s contributions to the global reggaeton movement and Peso Pluma’s fresh influence in regional Mexican music will help the platform cater to not only a large number of fans, but also a wide array of music tastes, languages, and cultural backgrounds. They will help us break barriers with fan connection.

Dear U’s story is interesting because it launched Bubble in 2020 when the digital conversation was so prevalent, yet the company continues to expand today. What did the pandemic teach you? 

The pandemic required us to create innovative ways to connect artists and fans that we’ve continued to use today. Because artists have fans across the world and can’t always be physically present to engage with them, we’re proud to help bridge that gap and create connection.

In your opinion, what’s a very special or highly engaging moment an artist can have on their Bubble compared to traditional social media platforms?

Artists see their bubble subscribers as true superfans. With bubble, they can share intimate moments – from behind-the-scenes photos, selfies, and audio messages to polls about dinner or outfit choices. Even during [professional] breaks, artists can maintain this closeness by sharing personal snapshots, like photos from family trips. More than public social media, this exclusive content fosters a more personal and intimate connection, allowing fans to feel included in their favorite artist’s life.

30 Sep 2024

Oasis Announce Dates For North American Leg of 2025 Reunion Tour

Oasis warned fans to be “careful what you wish for” over the weekend, hinting that the long-awaited announcement of additional international dates for their reunion tour were on the horizon. Well, that tease became a reality on Monday morning (Sept. 30) when brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher revealed the first dates for the North American leg of their 2025 world tour.

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The run of shows will have the famously battling sibling playing a series of stadium shows in five North American cities beginning with an August 24 show at Rogers Stadium in Toronto, followed by an August 28 gig at Soldier Field in Chicago and an August 31 show at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

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The run of concerts is currently slated to wind down with a Sept. 6 show at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Los Angeles and a Sept. 12 stop at Estadio GNP Seguros in Mexico City. A press release noted that the gigs will be Oasis first in North America in 16 years, with the band saying, “America. Oasis is coming. You have one last chance to prove that you loved us all along.” Cage the Elephant — led by singer Matt Shultz and his brother, guitarist Brad Shultz — will open all the new dates.

Oasis shocked the world in August when they revealed that they would put their differences aside and reunite for one of the most anticipated rock get-backs of all time. The first round of 2025 shows across the U.K. instantly sold out for the tour that is slated to kick off with two shows at Principality Stadium in Cardiff on July 4-5, followed by a five-night stand at Heaton Park in their native Manchester (July 11, 12, 16, 19, 20) and another five-night run at Wembley Stadium in London (July 25, 26, 30, August 2, 3).

The swing will then hit Dublin, Ireland for two shows at Croke Park (August 16, 17) before hopping the Atlantic for the North American shows and returning to Wembley for two more sold-out gigs on Sept. 27, 28.

The last time Oasis played the U.S. in 2008 on the Dig Out Your Soul tour they performed in 10,000-20,000 capacity arenas. The stadiums on their upcoming North American swing will accommodate between 45,000-80,000+ fans. According to the release announcing the new shows, plans are still underway for Oasis Live ’25 to hit “other continents outside of Europe and North America later next year.

Registration for a presale for the North American dates is open here through Tuesday (Oct. 1) at 8 a.m. ET, with a general onsale slated to begin on Friday (Oct. 4) at 12 p.m. ET local time here.

30 Sep 2024

Chris Martin Plays Surprise Hits Set With Ed Sheeran at 2024 Global Citizen Festival

Chris Martin has been a longtime supporter of the Global Citizen Festival. Over the weekend, the Coldplay singer was slated to once again curate the New York festival, but the rain-soaked fans who turned up to see headliners Post Malone, Jelly Roll and Rauw Alejandro got way more than they expected at the event aimed at encouraging world leaders to end extreme poverty.

On Saturday (Sept. 28), Martin teamed up with Ed Sheeran to perform a surprise mini acoustic set, with Sheeran taking the lead on a version of Coldplay’s 2000 breakthrough hit “Yellow” while strumming an acoustic guitar as a smiling Martin provided backup on an electric piano and hopped in on the second verse. “That’s enough of that,” Martin laughed as they quickly moved on to Sheeran’s 2017 chart-topping juggernaut “Shape of You,” giving the song a jumpy, uptempo makeover.

The surprise jam ended with both men on acoustic guitar for a spirited run through Coldplay’s 2008 jam “Viva La Vida” before pivoting to Sheeran singing his “Thinking of You” along to Martin’s jazzy piano backing. While Martin was scheduled to speak at the event in his role as curator, Sheeran was not an announced performer and the crowd cheered them on enthusiastically as the two men shared a wam hug before walking off the stage.

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It was just one of many highlights at this weekend’s event, which also included BLACKPINK’s Lisa debuting the new song, “Moonlit Floor.”

Watch the performance and some rehearsal video below.

30 Sep 2024

BTS’ Suga Fined $11,500 Over Drunk Scootering Incident

BTS‘ Suga has reached a resolution in his drunk scootering incident. According to Reuters, the K-pop superstar was fined 15 million won ($11,500) by a South Korean court for driving an electric scooter while intoxicated after previously having his license suspended over the incident.

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A judge in the Seoul Western District Court issued the fine in a summary judgement last week after the case against the singer born Min Yoon-gi, 31, was referred to the prosecution, a court official revealed on Monday (Sept. 30). A summary indictment is used to discharge minor offenses through court fines or confiscation without going to a full trial. The singer was questioned by police after they reportedly observed him falling off his electric scooter in the Hannam neighborhood in the Yongsan district on August 6.

Days after the DWI stop, Suga confirmed that his license had been revoked and posted a pair of heartfelt apologies on Weverse, explaining that at first he didn’t realize he couldn’t ride the electric two-wheeled scooter after having drinks at dinner earlier in the evening. “In the process of setting up an electric kickboard at the front door of the house, I fell alone, and there was a police officer around me, so I took a breath test,” he wrote in the Aug. 7 post, apologizing to “everyone who was hurt by [his] careless and wrong actions.”

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BTS’ record label, BigHit, also issued a statement, apologizing “for the disappointment caused by the artist’s inappropriate behavior.” “As a social service agent during his military service, he is prepared to accept any disciplinary actions from his place of work for causing a social disturbance,” the label added. “We will take greater care to ensure that such incidents do not happen again in the future.”

In a second apology later in the month, Suga took responsibility for his actions again, writing to fans, “It’s all my fault. My carelessness is giving everyone who cares about me a hard time. I will try not to do anything wrong again and live with repentance. Due to this incident, I have greatly damaged the precious memories I made with the members and fans and put a lot of pressure on the name of the BTS.”

At press time a spokesperson for Suga had not returned Billboard‘s request for comment.

BTS have been on hiatus for two years as the members complete their mandatory South Korean military service and according to AFP, Seoul’s Military Manpower Administration said that Suga will be punished according to traffic laws, not military law, because the incident took place outside of the singer’s official military working hours.

30 Sep 2024

Five Weeks of Flavor: Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Taste’ Continues to Rule the U.K. Singles Chart

Sabrina Carpenter has done it again. Her latest hit, “Taste,” has claimed the No. 1 spot on the U.K. Official Singles Chart for the fifth consecutive week, marking 17 total weeks at the top in 2024.

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This chart domination is thanks to her three standout singles: “Espresso,” which spent seven weeks at No. 1, “Please Please Please,” with five weeks at the summit, and now “Taste,” with five weeks and counting. Her success with the catchy pop single is no small feat, showcasing her consistent appeal in a hugely competitive market.

Elsewhere on the chart, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars are inching closer to the top spot with their collaborative track “Die With A Smile,” which now sits at No. 4. Rising stars are also making their mark, with Chappell Roan’s kitschy camp hit “HOT TO GO!” sashaying its way up to No. 7, and Lana Del Rey-inspired “Pink Pony Club” by Roan also trotting, reaching No. 15.

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In other highlights, Sonny Fodera, Jazzy, and D.O.D.’s “Somedays” has cracked the Top 10, moving to No. 9, while Gigi Perez’s viral track “Sailor Song” has jumped two spots to No. 11. Teddy Swims’ “The Door” and Gracie Abrams’ “I Love You, I’m Sorry” also saw boosts, landing at Nos. 13 and 17, respectively.

TikTok continues to be a breeding ground for chart hits, as UK rapper NDOTZ celebrates his first Top 20 entry with “Embrace It,” climbing 16 places to No. 20. Billie Eilish’s “Wildflower” blooms with a new peak at No. 23, while Coldplay’s “feelslikeimfallinginlove” rebounds to No. 31.

Addison Rae also makes her Top 40 debut with “Diet Pepsi,” entering at No. 37. Meanwhile, BTS’s Jimin sees a resurgence with “Who,” re-entering the chart at No. 40 after a six-week absence.

With this chart success, Sabrina Carpenter has proven that 2024 is undeniably her year, and with new releases on the horizon, she might not be done dominating just yet.

30 Sep 2024

Blossoms Secure Fourth U.K. No. 1 Album With ‘Gary’

Blossoms have again proven their indie rock prowess, securing their fourth U.K. Official No. 1 album with Gary, their fifth studio release.

The British band’s latest effort topped the charts after a tight battle with chart-dominating pop princess Sabrina Carpenter’s Short N’ Sweet (No. 2) and Chappell Roan’s hugely popular The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess (No. 3).

With a whopping 86% of Gary‘s total sales coming from physical formats, the album not only claimed the top spot on the U.K. Official Albums Chart but also dominated both the Official Vinyl Albums Chart and the Official Record Store Chart.

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Celebrating their victory, Blossoms told Official Charts:  “Thank you to everyone who bought Gary this week. It’s our fourth No. 1, five albums in, it means a lot to us five and [Gary the Gorilla] – thank you!”

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This triumph adds another milestone to Blossoms’ successful discography, which includes previous No. 1 albums such as Blossoms (2016) and Cool Like You (2018).

The leader at the midweek point, Gary holds off some strong contenders. Scottish singer-songwriter Tom Walker’s highly anticipated second studio album I Am debuted at No. 4, while Jamie XX’s sophomore effort In Waves landed at No. 5. Not to be left out, pop powerhouse Katy Perry claimed her fifth U.K. Top 10 album with 143, debuting at No. 6.

Outside the Top 10, Future’s Mixtape Pluto (11) marked his 12th Top 40 U.K. collection, and Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish secured a No. 20 debut with Yesterwynde.

British post-punk band Ist Ist celebrated their career-best result with Light A Bigger Fire at No. 25, while veteran English rockers Terrorvision’s We Are Not Robots landed at No. 29, marking their fourth Top 40 album.

30 Sep 2024

Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire and More Remember Kris Kristofferson

Following news the death of Kris Kristofferson at the age of 88 on Sept. 28, tributes have poured in from some of the biggest names in the music industry, honoring the legendary songwriter and actor whose influence spanned decades.

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Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Eric Church, and more have shared personal reflections on the man they admired, loved, and called a friend.

Dolly shared a close friendship with Kristofferson, with the pair performing duets such as “From Here to the Moon and Back” and “Put It Off Until Tomorrow” over the years.

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“What a great loss,” Dolly said. “What a great writer. What a great actor. What a great friend. I will always love you.”

Country star Reba McEntire said, “What a gentleman, kind soul, and a lover of words. I am so glad I got to meet him and be around him. One of my favorite people. Rest in peace, Kris.”

Travis Tritt, who appeared in the spaghetti Western TV movie Outlaw Country alongside Kristofferson wrote, “Sad to hear of Kris Kristofferson’s passing. He was an inspiration to me and I was fortunate to get to know him on the set of Outlaw Justice that we filmed in Spain in 1998. My heartfelt condolences go out to Kris’s wife, Lisa and all of his family, friends and fans.”

For songwriter Diane Warren, Kristofferson was the epitome of a multi-talented artist.

She wrote, “Brilliant songwriter, Rhodes scholar, great actor, not to mention criminally handsome,” she noted in her tribute. “How often do U get all that in one human? Write in Power forever Kris Kristofferson. We are losing too many greats and we just lost another one.”

Country star Eric Church shared his admiration for Kristofferson as both a role model and a friend. “The ultimate life well lived. Thank you for being a beacon of light in a darkening world. You were my hero and my role model. And even then, you managed to exceed my expectations when you became my friend.”

“So long Captain. Till we meet again.”

Rosanne Cash, singer and daughter of legend Johnny Cash, said: “Here was a man. A man I knew most of my life. A piece of my heart and family history. I expected he’d leave the planet fairly soon, but it doesn’t change the magnitude of the loss.”

Cash’s words hold even more weight considering one of Kristofferson’s final public performances was with her. The two performed a heartfelt duet of “Lovin’ You Was Easier” at Willie Nelson’s 90th birthday celebration in April 2023.

She continued, “And yet we will always have him— his enormous legacy, his resonant spirit, the lasting power of his authenticity, his staggering gifts as a poet— in word, on screen, in his being. For the last several decades, there was no Kris without Lisa and her beauty and steadfastness is a constant inspiration. I send you all my love, Lisa.”

“Travel safe, dear brother. I will always love you.”

Barbra Streisand, who co-starred with Kristofferson in the 1976 version of A Star Is Born, also paid tribute to him earlier, recalling the first time she saw him perform at L.A.’s Troubadour. Their on-screen chemistry in A Star Is Born helped cement both actors’ status in Hollywood, with the film’s soundtrack—featuring their duet “Evergreen”—becoming a No. 1 hit on the Billboard 200.

30 Sep 2024

Lana Del Rey Wore Wedding Gown ‘Made Specifically for Her’ at Louisiana Ceremony

Lana Del Rey wore a custom-designed dress for her wedding with Jeremy Dufrene, Billboard can confirm.

The dress Del Rey wore on her wedding day was “a custom CINQ gown made specifically for her,” designer Macye Wysner tells Billboard.

No further details were provided, out of respect for the singer’s privacy.

Both a music idol and a style icon, the artist born Elizabeth Grant is known for weaving American nostalgia into her songwriting and fashion aesthetic. Curiosity about what Lana Del Rey would wear as a bride set in when reports of her wedding ceremony in Des Allemandes, Louisiana, circulated, with paparazzi photos taken from a distance published by The Daily Mail.

People confirmed the entertainer tied the knot with airboat captain and swamp tour guide Jeremy Dufrene on the bayou on Sept. 26. At press time, Del Rey has not publicly commented on their relationship or the private Louisiana celebration.

In the low-resolution glimpse of Del Rey’s attire for the occasion, she appeared to wear a white or ivory gown with a romantic ruffle neckline, a fitted bodice and a full skirt. Her hair was styled over her shoulder in loose curls, fastened to the side with a powder blue ribbon.

The silhouette of her dress has a resemblance to that of The River gown by CINQ, which has a scalloped lace ruffle neckline and silk tulle skirt.

As Del Rey’s design from CINQ was custom, her gown might have been loosely inspired by The River — but it presumably featured elements personal to the bride.

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CINQ, with heirloom designs that combine vintage silhouettes and modern details, “was created for the bride that connects on an emotional level to her gown,” the Los Angeles-based bridal collection states on its website. “It’s not just the dress .. it’s a precious, fleeting moment in time.. it’s the feeling when she’s wearing it.. it’s the moment of reflection.”

Del Rey crossed paths with Dufrene in 2019 on one of his boat tours, which are known to feature alligator encounters, and the couple seemingly reconnected and began dating earlier this year. (As Del Rey sings on the sweet ballad “Margaret,” penned for Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley ahead of their 2023 wedding, “When you know, you know.”)

She hinted at a relationship when she tagged Dufrene as “my guy” in an Instagram post in May, before the pair were seen holding hands at U.K. festival Reading & Leeds in August. Earlier this month, Del Rey and Dufrene were photographed hand-in-hand attending Karen Elson and Lee Foster’s wedding at New York City’s Electric Lady Studios.

Following 2023’s Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, the singer-songwriter is next expected to release an album titled Lasso. The project was first announced as a country record, but as she noted in an interview last month, “All my albums are somewhat rooted in Americana.” She said of Lasso, “I don’t think it will be a heavy departure.”

“If anything, it will just be a little lighter lyrically, and more pointed in a classic country, American or Southern Gothic production — which again, so many of my songs already are,” said Del Rey.