Naked and adorned with diamond jewellery and sultry make-up, Lana Del Rey graces this month’s GQ magazine cover, celebrating her Woman Of The Year award.
What prompted the magazine to honor her with this award?
While Video Games marked her emergence as a fully developed pop star, it is the combination of a No.1 album, an Ivor Novello award, and the GQ accolade that solidifies the captivating and voluptuous icon’s place in the industry.
Although “Pop star disrobes for magazine” might not raise many eyebrows, Del Rey’s GQ shoot has indeed sparked more curiosity and debate than typical. It presents a contrasting image compared to Natasha Khan’s naked pose on her upcoming Bat For Lashes album, Beyonce’s monochrome cover for ‘I Am… Sasha Fierce’, or the likes of Lady Gaga and Rihanna shedding their clothes. Perhaps it is due to her unique position between the pop and indie hipster realms; one wouldn’t anticipate Cat Power, Hayley from Paramore, or Sharon Van Etten engaging in similar displays.
It’s not that the images lack taste (even the one where she’s touching herself). Nor is it uncommon for serious artists to establish themselves as sex symbols (Prince, for instance). The question remains, Lana, what about the music? Currently, she appears more engaged in modeling and the prospect of writing for films than in crafting songs. If that brings her joy, then all the better—but it would be regrettable if we never hear tracks like ‘Video Games’ or ‘Blue Jeans’ again.
by Wallace McTavish
