The internet has a weird way of inventing drama where there basically is none. If you were scrolling through TikTok or X in late 2024, you probably saw a screenshot that looked like a digital crime scene. It showed a brutal back-and-forth between Lana Del Rey and Lizzo.
On one side, you had a fake Lizzo telling Lana she’d love to see her "back on the charts." Then, a fake Lana supposedly clapped back with a comment about seeing Lizzo on a "treadmill." It was messy. It was mean. It was also completely, 100% fake.
The Viral Lie About Lana Del Rey and Lizzo
Honestly, the scariest part about that "beef" was how many people actually fell for it. The screenshots were posted by a parody account called Drop Pop. They even added a second slide where "Lizzo" told Lana she hoped an alligator would eat her—a low blow aimed at Lana’s 2024 wedding to alligator tour guide Jeremy Dufrene.
People were losing their minds.
The engagement numbers were staggering, with tens of millions of views. But if you actually looked at the accounts, nothing matched. Lana doesn't even have a public, official TikTok under her main name (she usually uses the @honeymoon handle on Instagram or the "Grants" account). She eventually had to step in herself to clear the air. She commented on an Instagram post, saying, "I don’t think I have an official TikTok... Very random."
It’s just another example of how quickly celebrity "wars" can be manufactured by a bored person with a Photoshop subscription and a dream of going viral.
Why Do People Keep Comparing Them?
Aside from the fake drama, these two artists represent totally different corners of pop culture.
Lana Del Rey is the queen of "Coquette" aesthetics and cinematic melancholy. Her music feels like a dusty vintage postcard found in a Malibu motel. On the other hand, Lizzo built her brand on high-energy flute solos and radical body positivity. They aren't really "competitors" in the traditional sense, but they both deal with a massive amount of public scrutiny regarding their bodies and their personal lives.
The 2020 Context
You've probably forgotten the "Question for the Culture" era, but that's where things actually got complicated for Lana. In May 2020, Lana posted a long note defending her music against claims that she "glamorizes abuse." She name-dropped artists like Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, and Kehlani.
While she didn't mention Lizzo specifically in that original post, it sparked a huge debate about which female artists are allowed to be "delicate" and which are expected to be "strong." Critics felt Lana was ignoring the fact that Black women in music often face much harsher backlash for being sexual or vulnerable than she does.
Real Stats vs. Internet Noise
If we're looking at the numbers, both of these women have massive footprints, but their "peaks" look very different.
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- Lana Del Rey: She's a slow-burn artist. She doesn't always have the #1 radio hit of the summer, but she sells out stadiums and has over 11 Grammy nominations. Her 2023 album Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd proved she’s still a critical darling after over a decade in the game.
- Lizzo: She hits the charts with a bang. Truth Hurts and About Damn Time weren't just songs; they were cultural shifts. She has four Grammys and a huge presence in the "Lifestyle" and "News" sectors, though her 2023 legal troubles with former backup dancers did shift the narrative around her brand.
They aren't fighting for the same spot on the Billboard Hot 100. They aren't even in the same lane.
The Reality of Celebrity Interactions
We live in an age where we expect celebrities to either be best friends or blood enemies. There is rarely an "in-between." In reality, Lana and Lizzo likely exist in the same orbit of high-profile events without having a deep personal connection.
There is no evidence they’ve ever had a real-life argument. In fact, most of the "tension" you see is just fan bases projecting their own insecurities onto the artists. Lana fans (Lana-stans) and Lizzo fans (Lizzbians) have very different online cultures, and sometimes those cultures clash in comment sections, creating the illusion of a celebrity feud.
How to Spot the Fake News Next Time
The next time you see a "leaked" screenshot of two major stars fighting, do a quick sanity check:
- Check the Handle: Most big stars have verified badges or very specific, known burner accounts.
- Look for the "Parody" Tag: Accounts like Drop Pop usually admit they are fake in their bio.
- Verify the Timing: If a comment says "2 minutes ago" and has 50,000 likes, it's probably a doctored image.
The internet wants you to be angry. It wants you to pick a side. But in the case of Lana Del Rey and Lizzo, there wasn't even a fight to begin with.
Moving Past the Rumors
Instead of focusing on fake TikTok beefs, it’s much more interesting to look at how both artists have survived a decade of intense fame. Lana has transitioned from an "indie" darling to a legendary songwriter who basically paved the way for Billie Eilish and Lorde. Lizzo changed the way the industry talks about body image, for better or worse.
Basically, they are both pioneers.
If you want to keep up with what's actually happening, follow their official Instagram accounts or wait for a reputable news outlet to confirm a story. Screenshots are easy to fake; careers like theirs are not.
Stop feeding the trolls and just listen to the music. You can appreciate the "Summertime Sadness" and "Special" at the same time without needing a winner.