Lana Del Rey turns 41: Lesser known facts about the singer

From her dreamy ballads to her vintage Hollywood-inspired aesthetic, Lana Del Rey has built one of the most distinctive careers in modern music. As the singer celebrates her 41st birthday, here are six fascinating facts about her journey, many of which come from her own interviews and early career experiences. (Source: Photo by wikimedia commons )

Lana Del Rey Wasn't Her First Stage Name: Born Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, she experimented with several stage names before settling on Lana Del Rey. Among her earlier aliases were May Jailer, Lizzy Grant, and even the quirky Sparkle Jump Rope Queen. (Source: Photo by wikimedia commons )

The Name Lana Del Rey Came During a Miami Trip: The singer revealed that she chose the name during a trip to Miami with her sister. She wanted something that sounded exotic and evoked the glamour of Florida's seaside culture. (Source: Photo by wikimedia commons )

She Studied Metaphysics at University: At Fordham University, Lana majored in metaphysics and philosophy. She has said she was fascinated by questions about God, existence, and humanity's place in the universe, ideas that often surface in her song writing. (Source: Photo by wikimedia commons )

She Started Out in the Same Music Scene as Lady Gaga: Before either artist became a global superstar, Lana and Lady Gaga were part of New York City's emerging music scene. They even shared industry connections, although they never actually met during those early years. (Source: Photo by wikimedia commons )

She Once Lived in a Trailer Park: After securing an early record deal, Lana used part of her advance to buy a trailer in New Jersey. At the time, she was intentionally distancing herself from mainstream culture while trying to establish her identity as an artist. (Source: Photo by wikimedia commons )

She Records Interviews for Her Own Protection: Following several experiences where she felt her comments were misrepresented in the media, Lana began recording her interviews. She has described it as a way to ensure accuracy and protect herself from being quoted out of context. (Source: Photo by wikimedia commons )