Lorde has spoken candidly about her gender identity and expression, explaining that there are times when wearing women’s clothing makes her feel disconnected from herself.
In an interview for the Autumn 2025 issue of Dazed, the New Zealand-born artist, born Ella Yelich-O’Connor, described her relationship with gender as fluid.
She clarified earlier remarks made to Rolling Stone in May, when she referred to herself as being “in the middle gender-wise.”
Although the “Current Affairs” singer identifies as a cis woman and continues to use she/her pronouns, she acknowledged that certain aspects of her appearance can feel unsettling.
“Some days, I can’t wear women’s clothes,” she said. “I had no idea there would be days when I felt totally out-of-body, and it was because I was wearing women’s clothes when it wasn’t the right thing.”
Lorde explained that she now approaches makeup as “male grooming” to avoid feeling restricted.
In 2023, she also taped her chest for the first time, an experience that inspired her single “Man of the Year.” She described seeing herself in jeans and tape instead of a bra and realising, “That’s me.”
Her latest album Virgin, continues to explore these themes. On the opening track “Hammer,” she sings, Some days I’m a woman/Some days I’m a man.
She told Dazed that gender remains a journey for her: “It’s all a journey. I have no idea where it’s gonna go; it doesn’t feel like I’ve arrived anywhere permanent at all.”
Despite the uncertainty, Lorde said she feels comfortable allowing her identity to unfold over time. “Your whole life, it keeps unfurling,” she said.
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