Lana Del Rey says she wishes her album went viral like Waffle House photos
Lana Del Rey's latest album didn't get the viral buzz she hoped for — at least not in comparison to her brief shift at Waffle House.
The artist behind "Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd" caused a stir in July after a video showed her working at a Waffle House and posing with fans in the small town of Florence, Texas. She was equipped with the breakfast spot's uniform and a name tag as she served coffee to locals.
Del Rey gave context to the moment in a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter published Wednesday, explaining that the opportunity took place on day seven of a trip with her brother and sister in the small town.
"I wish my album had gone as viral. I woke up to, like, 10,000 texts the next morning – some from folks I had not heard from for 10 years. 'Saw your picture at the Waffle House!'" she said. "I was like, 'Did you hear the new album?'"
The singer-songwriter's ninth studio album, which came out in March, pays homage to Americana. Florence, where the Waffle House is located, is name-dropped in track 10 "Paris, Texas."
"We were on our third hour (hanging out in Waffle House), and the servers asked, 'Do you guys want shirts?'" Del Rey said, adding that they "were thrilled."
Employees then encouraged her to bring a regular customer's order to him and she obliged. "I brought him a Coke. No ice. And an empty cup. … For dip," the musician said.
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Del Rey talked about much more than Waffle House in her interview. The "Say Yes to Heaven" singer also discussed the impact of being an influence to the next generation of stars like Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo.
"Billie and Olivia are such good people, it's awesome. I love them and their music," she gushed. "It's not like you have to be nice to be good (in music). But, if you happen to be nice and a great singer, it makes me happy for the culture."
Del Rey added that she loves it when other young female artists reach out to her to discuss the impact she's had on their music. "I always felt like the older sister to pretty much everyone I ever met," she said.
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