Rumors spread quickly online and often switch from rumors and conspiracy theories into facts for the many who believe them. The fantasies spread even faster when enabled by seemingly reliable websites casting doubt on those that argue of the unreliability of the rumors. Singer and songwriter Lorde has become the subject of one of these widespread tales. Fans of the singer have become split on the story that the amazing young woman is actually at least twice the age she claims.
The maturity of the songwriting and quality of the performances by Lorde when she first drew public attention for her craft at the age of 16 immediately caused some to question her age. Added controversy swarmed when the singer made an offhand and innocent joke at a Vanity Fair pre-Grammy’s party. The star introduced herself as Ella, age 45. The comment, thought by many to be a satirical reaction to the rumors, was seen as proof for the many who believed she was living a lie.
Other incidents helped to solidify the belief that Lorde was truly a middle-aged woman and not the young twentysomething she currently claims. In one magazine interview Lorde claimed the movie, The Virgin Suicides, “really resonated with me as a teenager,”. The interview was done at a time when the singer would have still been well within her teen years. Lorde quickly added “I mean, I am still a teenager”, but the writer of the piece quoted her in full. The slip of the tongue gave many people another statement to use as proof of their theory.
Lorde has always looked older than her given age and acted and performed with an unexpected maturity. Even as a woman in her early twenties, she continues to give off the vibe of someone much more experienced and mature. Given that many celebrities in the past have lied about their real names and ages, and even their ethnicities, it is not hard to imagine there is some truth to the rumors. Despite her talent, it would have proven much easier for Lorde to appeal to a fan base that is her age or slightly older than to encourage teens to listen to the recordings of a middle-aged woman.
The operators of the website The Hairpin attempted to dispel the rumors by sending funds to the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs for a copy of the singer’s birth certificate. The document revealed the singer, whose birth name is Ella Maria Lani Yelich-O’Connor, was born on the day and year she stated. The presence of the document has done nothing to silence doubters, however, as many claim the document is either a complete fraud or edited to look correct.
Through the chaos, Lorde remained on track with her career, although her online postings diminished. Most recently, the star announced a delay in her latest recording. The delay, she stated, would happen because of her need to pause and mourn for her dog, Pearl. Lorde shared that her beloved pet recently died in her arms from cardiac arrest.
