Ex-Fiancée of Lana Del Rey’s New Husband Says She Was 'Shocked' by Their Marriage, but Is 'Happy' for the Couple

Mar. 15, 2025

Lana Del Rey and Jeremy Dufrene.Photo:WavyPeter / BACKGRID

WavyPeter / BACKGRID

The ex-fiancée ofLana Del Rey’s new husband,Jeremy Dufrene, has well wishes for the newly married couple.

Kelli Welsh was engaged to Durfrene — whowedDel Rey, 39, on Sept. 26 in Des Allemandes, Louisiana — for 12 years, before they split in October 2023,The Daily Mailreported.

Speaking with the outlet, Welsh, 45, said that while she was “shocked” to learn of her former lover’s marriage news, she is “happy” for Dufrene and Del Rey.

“I am in shock because we were engaged for 12 years, and he got married after one month,” Welsh said. “But I am happy for him.”

“He is a very protective, hardworking, manly man. He needed to get out of his comfort zone. He was used to bayou life and being out on the swamp,” she added. “He is deserving of this blessing.”

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Lana Del Rey and Jeremy Dufrene.Jeremy Dufrene/Facebook

Jeremy Dufrene/Facebook

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Though Del Rey and Dufrene have not been publicly dating for long, their nuptials took place several years after the “Summertime Sadness” musician initially met her new beau.

Del Rey first shared photos with Dufrene onFacebookin 2019 after she took one of his wildlife tours.“Jeremy lemme be captain at Arthur’s Air Boat Tours,” she captioned a set of images at the time.

Lana Del Rey in August 2024.Joseph Okpako/Getty

Joseph Okpako/Getty

According toThe Daily Mail, Dufrene and Welsh started dating as teenagers, though they broke up after a year.

Dufrene then went on to marry his first wife Gina, with whom he shares three children, the outlet reported, though their marriage ended after a year. Dufrene eventually got back together with Welsh years later in 2011.

The following year,The Daily Mailsaid that Dufrene and Welsh began engaged, though they never wed.

“He has always been a giver, so to have someone give to him, he deserves it,” Welsh said of her former love to the outlet. “He is a very solid guy. I care about him deeply as a friend. His ability to love and care and protect people makes him so attractive.”

“I will say that he really does look happy with her,” she continued. “And she does with him, which is a good thing to see. It’s not a fake happy, he truly is in love with her.”

source: people.com