
Lorde Opens Up About Gender Identity and Nonbinary Speculation in New Interview
Lorde is opening up about her evolving sense of gender identity. In a new Rolling Stone interview published on May 15, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter addressed recent speculation about whether she identifies as nonbinary, sparked by lyrics in her upcoming album Virgin.
The 28-year-old, known for hits like Royals and Green Light, explained how her experience of gender has changed over the years. In the first track of Virgin, she sings, “Some days I’m a woman / Some days I’m a man,” a line that raised questions from fans and even her friend and fellow artist Chappell Roan.
“She was like, ‘So, are you nonbinary now?’” Lorde recalled. “I was like, ‘I’m a woman except for the days when I’m a man.’ I know that’s not a very satisfying answer, but there’s a part of me that is really resistant to boxing it up.”
Lorde Describes Her Gender as “Expansive” but Still Identifies as a Cis Woman
Despite calling herself “in the middle gender-wise,” Lorde made it clear that she still identifies as a cisgender woman and has no current plans to change her pronouns. She was also careful to note that her personal exploration should not be mistaken as trying to represent or overshadow the trans and nonbinary community.
“I don’t think that [my identity] is radical, to be honest,” she said. “I see these incredibly brave young people, and it’s complicated.”
Lorde emphasized the privilege she holds, stating, “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. Because I’m, comparatively, in a very safe place as a wealthy, cis, white woman.”
How Mental Health and Lifestyle Changes Influenced Her Gender Journey
Lorde also shared how her recent focus on mental and physical health played a big role in shaping her understanding of herself. Part of that included her decision to stop taking birth control, which she had used for a decade.
“I felt like stopping taking my birth control, I had cut some sort of cord between myself and this regulated femininity,” she said. “It sounds crazy, but I felt that all of a sudden, I was off the map of femininity. And I totally believed that that allowed things to open up.”
She also credited the use of psychedelics as a tool for deep self-reflection, saying it helped her see life and identity in a more fluid, less defined way.
As she prepares to release her new album Virgin, Lorde continues to challenge expectations — not just with her music, but with her openness and vulnerability. Her candid reflections give fans a deeper understanding of her personal growth, while showing respect to the wider LGBTQ+ community and their lived experiences.
Stay tuned for more on Lorde’s upcoming album and personal journey.
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