LONDON: Pop sensation Lorde has opened up about her evolving relationship with femininity and gender identity following the release of her highly successful fourth studio album, Virgin, which recently topped multiple charts in both the UK and US.

In a candid interview with BBC Radio 1, the 28-year-old Royals singer revealed that despite her soaring career, she has often struggled with the restrictive expectations placed on her as a woman in the public eye.

“I feel so trapped and so tight in this very kind of straight-ahead femininity,” she admitted, speaking about the pressures she experiences around her appearance during photoshoots and public events.

Lorde shared that her discomfort with rigid gender norms first surfaced during a styling session, where she felt confined by the limitation of only wearing traditionally feminine clothing.

“Some days it just feels too tight. I feel stuck. Same with make-up — now I tell people, treat it like male grooming. Don’t overdo it,” she said, adding that too much styling makes her feel unable to express herself authentically.

A Subtle Statement at the Met Gala

The Green Light artist also reflected on her 2025 Met Gala appearance, where she wore a cummerbund — a typically masculine accessory — as a deliberate nod to her expanding view of beauty and identity.

“I feel a lot more expansive, a lot bigger. My definition of what’s beautiful is so different now. And I think it’s just going to keep evolving — and I welcome that.”

‘In the Middle Gender-Wise’

Lorde’s comments to the BBC echo sentiments she shared earlier with Rolling Stone, where she described herself as “a woman, except for the days when I’m a man.” She explained that she has always felt “in the middle” regarding gender and that her artistic expression increasingly reflects that fluidity.

Chart-Topping Success with Virgin

Amid these personal revelations, Lorde’s album Virgin continues her streak of critical and commercial success. Released in June 2025, the album reached #1 on Billboard’s Top Alternative Albums chart, making it her fourth consecutive chart-topping project. The record’s raw, introspective themes have resonated strongly with listeners, especially as the singer explores deeper aspects of identity, vulnerability, and freedom.

With Virgin, Lorde not only reaffirms her place in pop’s upper echelon but also invites fans to see beyond the surface — to an artist who is unafraid to challenge gender norms and embrace growth in all its complexity.