Lana Del Rey's new beau, Jeremy Dufrene, was reportedly kept in the dark about her true identity after they first met in 2019.
The new couple recently confirmed their romance as they stepped out hand-in-hand for Karen Elson's star-studded wedding in New York City.
However, a source revealed that Lana Del Rey's pals were initially skeptical of their relationship as they feared he was using her.
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Jeremy Dufrene Had 'No Idea' Who Lana Del Rey Was
According to the Daily Mail, the "Say Yes To Heaven" singer initially kept her life shrouded in mystery with her new boyfriend, alligator airboat tour guide Jeremy Dufrene.
An insider has disclosed that she found it "refreshing" that he had "no idea" who she was and wasn't in any rush to reveal herself.
"They've known each other for years, but only started dating a few months ago," the source told the news outlet. "Lana first met Justin in 2019 and they kept in touch."
"He had no idea who she was at the time which was refreshing to her and she didn't explain immediately," they continued. "She wanted to go on a boat tour because it's a big thing in Louisiana, but she never expected to fall for a gator boat captain."
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When Did The Couple Meet?
The pair first met in March 2019 when she performed at the Buku Music + Art Project in Louisiana.
Since then, the Arthur's Air Boat Tours employee has been featured several times on her social media posts, including one she shared of him kissing an alligator. In another post, she posed with her friends while on an airboat expedition, and Dufrene was also in the snap.
In the caption, she wrote, "Jeremy lemme be captain at Arthur's Air Boat Tours x" as she promoted his business heavily.
Dufrene also shared a photo with Del Rey on his Instagram page in which he was all smiles as he posed beside her, writing in the caption, "I never know who I can run across on my tours but always a pleasure @lanadelrey."
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"When Lana revisited the area in May to perform at Hangout Fest, they were both single and they reconnected," the source explained. "He saw his golden opportunity and asked her out and they have been together since. She loves older men."
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Lana Del Rey's Friends Were Concerned About Her New Romance
The 39-year-old singer's romance with Dufrene allegedly raised eyebrows among her close pals, who feared the alligator enthusiast was "using" her.
They then tried to do a background check on him as they suspected they might find something fishy, only to realize he checked out well and gave Del Rey what she "needs" in a partner.
"Her friends and team did some digging on him over fears he could be using her, but his business is lucrative and he doesn't need or want Lana's money," the source said. "They can see he treats her right and he's very, very low maintenance. He gives her what she is seeking in a man and is romantic."
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The Lovebirds Attended A Wedding Together
The "Cinnamon Girl" singer made her relationship with the swamp-skimming captain public on August 25 when they lightly engaged in PDA and enjoyed a romantic meal in London after she performed at the Leeds festival.
"She brought him to her most recent string of shows in the UK which was a big step," a source told the Daily Mail. "He is a good guy and she is wildly attracted to him. He is a good father and no one who knows him has anything bad to say about him."
Del Rey and Dufrene further confirmed that they are an item as they attended Karen Elson's star-studded wedding on Saturday.
The couple held hands as they left the venue of the event. Del Rey looked stunning in a plunging halter-neck baby blue dress, which she paired with pink ballet flats, while Dufrene wore a blue suit and white button-up shirt.
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Lana Del Rey's Past Romances
The singer's dating history has been quite interesting. After previously dating a cop and a rapper, Del Rey began dating Scottish singer-songwriter Barrie-James O'Neill in 2011.
In 2013, she sparked engagement rumors with O'Neill after she was spotted with a huge diamond ring, but the pair broke up the following year.
By 2014, Del Rey started dating Italian director and photographer Francesco Carrozzini, who was the editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia. They were spotted taking a romantic trip to St. Barts; however, their relationship didn't last long, with insiders saying they broke up in November 2015.
Del Rey has also been linked to rapper G-Eazy, cop and reality TV star Sean Larkin, and musician Evan Winiker, although the exact timeline of their relationship remains unknown.