Lorde Discusses Gender Identity in Recent Interview

Singer Lorde described her gender identity in a candid interview with Rolling Stone, stating she identifies as a woman, “except on the day I’m a man.” This revelation comes as part of her promotion for her upcoming album, “Virgin,” which features a track titled “Man of the Year.”

The 28-year-old New Zealand artist explained that her lyrics reflect a “gender-centric” perspective, a concept she explored in conversations with fellow musician Chapel Lawn.

“I was like, ‘I’m a woman except in my time as a man,’” Lorde shared. “I know that’s not a very satisfying answer, but there’s a part of me who really resists boxing it.” Her reflections have shifted since the release of her last album, “Solar Power,” in 2021. “My gender became much more vast when I gave my body more space,” she noted.

Interestingly, Lorde mentioned that at age 15, after choosing to stop using contraception, she felt as if she had severed ties with a certain “regulated femininity.” As she was writing “Man of the Year,” she envisioned trying on male clothing and accessories, yet felt a shock looking in the mirror, describing the experience as a kind of “explosion.” This process, as she explained, was integral to her emotional journey in crafting the new album.

While she continues to identify as a “cis” woman, Lorde expressed a desire to be considerate of those who navigate the complexities of gender in more nuanced ways. “I’m looking at these incredibly brave young people, and that’s complicated,” she said. “It’s one thing to express yourself personally, but I want to make it very clear that I’m not trying to take up space from people who are on the line more than I do.”