The world of alternative pop was set ablaze this August as two of its most enigmatic stars—Lana Del Rey and Ethel Cain—became embroiled in a public feud that quickly spilled from Instagram teasers to Twitter threads, pulling in fans, critics, and even rap superstar Nicki Minaj. What began as a cryptic song snippet posted by Del Rey has evolved into one of the most talked-about musical disputes of 2025, with layers of personal history, artistic ideology, and even past controversies coming to the fore.
It all started on August 13, 2025, when Lana Del Rey, in the midst of recording her tenth studio album, uploaded a video to Instagram. In it, she sat in a car, playing a snippet from an unreleased track she dubbed "Track 13"—and the lyrics wasted no time in naming names. “Ethel Cain hated my Instagram post / Think it’s cute reenacting my Chicago pose,” Del Rey crooned, her voice as haunting and melodic as ever. The reference was unmistakable: not only did it directly mention Ethel Cain, but it also nodded to a 2022 New York Times profile that had dubbed Cain “the most famous girl at the Waffle House.”
The internet, predictably, went into overdrive. Fans dissected every lyric, every Instagram caption, and every deleted comment, desperate to piece together the origins of this unexpected beef. Theories swirled about a shared romantic interest with musician Jack Donoghue, fueled by similarities between photos of both singers with him in Chicago. But Del Rey herself soon clarified her motivation in a since-deleted comment on Pop Base’s Instagram. “I didn’t know who Ethel was until a few years ago—when someone brought to my attention the disturbing and graphic side-by-side images she would often put up of me next to unflattering creatures and cartoon characters making constant comments about my weight,” Del Rey wrote. “Then when I heard what she was saying behind closed doors from mutual friends and started inserting herself into my personal life I was definitely disturbed.”
Cain’s response was swift and pointed. She posted an Instagram Story that read: “Update: Lana Del Rey has blocked Ethel Cain on Instagram.” It was a message that left little room for ambiguity—and it was soon echoed across fan accounts, memes, and even official merchandise pages. The block, for many, confirmed that this was more than just a lyrical jab; it was personal.
Yet, the roots of tension between the two artists run deeper than a single diss track. Back in 2021, Cain had already begun to distance herself from Del Rey, despite previously being an outspoken fan. In an interview with Hero Magazine, Cain drew a clear line between their artistic visions. “I love Lana, I love her older music,” she said. “Her newer stuff doesn’t really resonate with me, but I’d be a liar to say I never loved Lana.” She went on to explain, “But here’s the line between Lana and me. Lana is all façade; she is glamour, she is old Hollywood, she is the peak opulence of the American Dream. That’s just not what America is to me. I think America is the bottom line—it’s the poor people, the people who have been the most affected by the government, by the system. People who are constantly spat on.”
While Cain’s critique was philosophical, Del Rey’s diss was pointedly personal. The resulting friction became the talk of social media, with fans of both camps debating the merits and motivations behind each artist’s stance. But just when the discourse seemed to reach a fever pitch, a new voice entered the chat—Nicki Minaj. The rapper, never one to shy away from pop culture drama, tweeted on August 15, “I’ve been singing ‘Ethel Cain hated my Instagram post’ all morning. Help!!!!! And something about the Waffle House & a picture w/some boy? But how can a melody & instruments & background vocals & the mixing be so good that I’m walking around all day talking about a person named Ethel who I do not know hating an Instagram post I never even posted? HELP MEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!”
Minaj’s tweets, equal parts amused and admiring, praised Del Rey’s vocals and production, calling the unreleased track “so good” that she couldn’t get it out of her head. Yet, she was careful not to take sides, later tweeting, “I’m sure Ethel is a nice person. *hums the melody again & drifts off into this somber state whilst looking off into the horizon.” She even discovered a photo of Cain with a Barb flag—a nod to Minaj’s fanbase—and tweeted, “Wtf? Is this real? Thank you, Ethel.” Still, her heart seemed to remain with the music, as she continued to gush about Lana’s “DOPE melody, vocal & instrumentation.”
Meanwhile, Del Rey’s own musical plans have been subject to the kind of uncertainty that’s become almost expected from the star. Her tenth studio album, originally slated for release on May 21, 2025, has been delayed indefinitely. This isn’t new territory for Del Rey, whose previous albums—including Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, Chemtrails Over the Country Club, and Blue Banisters—were all postponed from their original release dates. To keep fans engaged, she dropped the lead single “Henry, Come On” and a promotional track, “Bluebird,” back in April, but the full album remains shrouded in mystery.
As for Cain, the feud with Del Rey is only the latest in a string of controversies. In July 2025, she faced significant backlash when old online posts from when she was 19 resurfaced. The posts, which included racial slurs, jokes about sexual assault, fat-shaming, and even a photo of her wearing a shirt emblazoned with “LEGALIZE INCEST,” were widely condemned. Cain admitted to making the posts, attributing them to a phase where she sought attention through shock value after being outspoken about progressive issues in high school. “There was no excuse,” she said, expressing shame and apologizing for her past actions. She also claimed that the resurfacing of the posts was part of a targeted campaign against her, alleging her accounts had been hacked and her family harassed. Addressing further criticism about her artistic work, Cain explained that her exploration of themes like incest and trauma was a way to process her own experiences, not to glorify or fetishize sensitive topics.
All the while, the internet has continued to buzz with speculation, memes, and heated debates. For many, the feud between Del Rey and Cain is more than just celebrity drama—it’s a clash of artistic visions, generational attitudes, and personal boundaries in an era where every lyric and tweet is scrutinized. With Nicki Minaj’s playful commentary adding fuel to the fire, and both singers remaining steadfast in their positions, it’s clear this saga isn’t fading from the cultural conversation any time soon.
As the dust settles—for now—fans are left wondering what’s next for these two artists. Will Del Rey’s album finally see the light of day? Can Cain move past her controversies and reclaim her narrative? One thing’s certain: in the world of sad-girl pop, the drama is as compelling as the music itself.
