Lorde Breaks Silence on 17-Year Gap Romance and Split
Here’s the thing about dating someone whose high school graduation predated your existence: it’s a guaranteed plot twist. Lorde recently lifted the curtain on her 17-year age-gap relationship with photographer Justin Warren and their subsequent breakup in a refreshingly frank chat. The “Royals” singer explained that when they met in 2019, she was just stepping into adulthood while he was well into his mid-30s—an imbalance that sometimes felt less “power couple” and more “senior seminar.” (
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, The Guardian)
From the outset, Lorde admitted that the relationship defied most rom-com tropes. She told Rolling Stone that differences in life experience occasionally left her Googling “What is a 35-year-old obsessed with?” and failing miserably. Of course, that was a few whiskeys down; in sober moments, she acknowledged how much Justin’s steadiness grounded her during the whirlwind of fame. But the dynamic also meant he remembered dial-up, while she thought dial-up was a yoga pose gone wrong. Every third line here: it’s the only way to roast yourself for being so extra.
Their romance spanned nearly three years, a timeline punctuated by quiet dinners, photoshoots on the Amalfi Coast, and at least one debate over whether he could text without accidentally live-tweeting. Lorde quipped that she learned more about film rolls and aperture than she ever wanted to, while Justin suddenly knew every lyric to “Solar Power.” Irony alert: nothing says midlife reflection quite like interpreting lyrics about sunscreen. (Source: Rolling Stone)
Breaking up in February 2022 was neither scandalous nor savage—it was amicable, if awkward. Lorde described the end of things as “less tearing off the band-aid and more gently untangling earbuds.” She emphasized that no one in this saga was the villain, although the tabloids certainly cast themselves in that role, popcorn in hand. Critics had a field day, with some accusing her of embarking on a “cougar trial run,” which she dismissed with the same deadpan wit that fuels her lyrics. (Source: The Guardian)
As for the fallout, Lorde insists there were no reality-TV traps or dramatic walk-out songs—just two people realizing their calendars and priorities were as misaligned as their Spotify Wrapped lists. She’s now channeling the experience into her next musical chapter, promising more mature themes (and fewer Kodak moments). Teen blogs might spin conspiracy theories, but the singer is focused on growth, not gossip.
Well, there you have it: a relationship that spanned generations, wrapped in irony and sprinkled with late-night Google searches. Stay tuned next time for more questionable life choices and the occasional emotional epiphany.
Sources: People Magazine, Rolling Stone, The Guardian
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
