Lorde Opens Up About Gender Fluidity and New Album ‘Virgin’: ‘Some Days I’m a Man’
Lorde is making headlines with her candid discussion about gender identity and the creative journey that shaped her upcoming album, 'Virgin'. In a recent Rolling Stone cover story, she revealed a more expansive understanding of gender, describing herself as "in the middle gender-wise." This revelation, spurred by conversations with fellow artist Chappell Roan, has ignited conversations on social media and in the music community.
According to Lorde, this exploration of gender has been a profound part of her personal and artistic evolution since her 2021 album, 'Solar Power.' She shared that Chappell Roan directly asked if she identified as non-binary, to which Lorde responded, "I’m a woman except for the days when I’m a man." While acknowledging the complexity of gender identity, she expressed a reluctance to be strictly defined, adding, "I know that’s not a very satisfying answer but there’s a part of me that is really resistant to boxing it up."
This fluidity, hinted at in the opening track of 'Virgin' with the line, "Some days I’m a woman/ Some days I’m a man," is not seen as radical by Lorde, especially in the context of the broader LGBTQ+ rights landscape. She emphasized her awareness of her privileged position as a wealthy, cis, white woman, stating, "I see these incredibly brave young people, and it’s complicated. Making the expression privately is one thing, but I want to make very clear that I’m not trying to take any space from anyone who has more on the line than me.”
Lorde's journey involved significant changes, including discontinuing birth control after 15 years. She described feeling like she had "cut some sort of cord between myself and this regulated femininity,” which allowed her to open up creatively. A pivotal moment occurred in 2023 when she tried on men’s jeans and shared the photo with producer Jim-E Stack, who encouraged her to bring that version of herself into the music.
The song "Man of the Year" reflects this exploration, as Lorde envisioned herself in men's jeans, a gold chain, and duct tape on her chest -- a vision that initially startled her. She recreated the look and felt a powerful, almost violent, energy bursting out of her, echoing her unique style at the 2025 Met Gala.
Beyond gender identity, Lorde has also been candid about overcoming an eating disorder. She recounts a time when she was overly focused on calories and protein, recalling feeling "so hungry and so weak" and prioritizing a small tummy over nourishment. She says it was a "sucking of a life force or something." This period of turbulence coincided with her breakup with Justin Warren, which she described as painful but characterized by "real dignity."
With 'Virgin' slated for release in June, Lorde's open dialogue about gender and personal struggles is resonating deeply with fans. Her willingness to share her journey adds another layer of depth to her already compelling artistry. The album promises to be a revealing exploration of self-discovery and creative freedom.
What are your thoughts on Lorde's comments and the evolving conversation around gender identity in music? Share your views in the comments below!
