MAP Forum

As a keen Lana Del Rey fan, I can categorically assure she has influenced a generation of young women through her music, fashion, and cinematic style. She has created an utterly unique and curated image, recognised by many. However, there is no getting around the question of whether this image is simply good branding, or if it has the potential to negatively influence listeners through the aestheticization of drug use and paedophilia.

[...]

This disturbing tale can be spotted consistently through Del Rey’s lyricism in songs such as Lolita, Carmen, Off to the Races, Diet Mountain Dew, and more. The controversy surrounding these songs is not that they are inspired by or make reference to Nabokov’s story, but rather the implication that they are written from the point of view of “Lolita” (a 12-year-old girl) in a sexual manner. Although Lana has explained that these songs serve as a record of her personal experience rather than a life to aim for, the romanticised images of extreme age gaps and essentially paedophilia produced alongside them seem somewhat careless.

Jim Burton wrote: Tue Sep 16, 2025 4:00 pm Many such examples where the word "paedophilia" launders vague bitching about a celebrity.

https://www.hercampus.com/school/dcu/la ... -drug-use/

As a keen Lana Del Rey fan, I can categorically assure she has influenced a generation of young women through her music, fashion, and cinematic style. She has created an utterly unique and curated image, recognised by many. However, there is no getting around the question of whether this image is simply good branding, or if it has the potential to negatively influence listeners through the aestheticization of drug use and paedophilia.

[...]

This disturbing tale can be spotted consistently through Del Rey’s lyricism in songs such as Lolita, Carmen, Off to the Races, Diet Mountain Dew, and more. The controversy surrounding these songs is not that they are inspired by or make reference to Nabokov’s story, but rather the implication that they are written from the point of view of “Lolita” (a 12-year-old girl) in a sexual manner. Although Lana has explained that these songs serve as a record of her personal experience rather than a life to aim for, the romanticised images of extreme age gaps and essentially paedophilia produced alongside them seem somewhat careless.

and essentially paedophilia

the question arises: is it the responsibility of the artist to foresee the potential naivety of their listeners?