Although feminism is often regarded as a great advocate of gender equality, it can also act as a paradoxical prison for women. Its rigid forms impose limited definitions of “empowered” or “liberation,” creating expectations that are suffocating. Women are compelled to embrace a certain brand of activism or make personal choices that are overly simplistic.

It is at these intersections that one becomes frustrated and stuck in trying to fit into a certain box and identity. Many, however, use art as a powerful form of expression to rebel and redefine feminism to encompass freedom, complexity, and the beautiful chaos of true liberation.

One of these artists is Lana Del Rey. In May of 2020, she posted an Instagram story that sparked praise and backlash alike. The post, to her 17 million followers, was as much about feminism as it was about vulnerability and the multi-faceted life of women in front of the camera and public eye.

So, what did she say? Let's decode together.

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The Post and Its Criticism

At the centre of the controversy were two differing perceptions of Lana’s message. Some saw her as being open and vulnerable which is refreshing in a world where women are expected to be callous, assertive, and unfeeling. On the other hand, many saw her post as an affront to more “empowered” women, especially women of colour, and to Doja Cat, Ariana Grande and Cardi B, accusing her of misjudging their success and independence.

Lana's words certainly sounded critical, and even resentful. Did she mean to mock those women for being too brave by sexualizing their femininity in pop culture? Was she trying to be “authentic” by exposing her tenderness to the public?”

In my view, though, Del Rey’s invitation was not an assault— it was an opportunity to reevaluate our understanding of feminism. She cared about many women’s experiences being in the public eye and having to manage their vulnerability and strength, soft femininity and hard power. Too many people, however, rushed to judge the post before going deep into the subject and exploring the layers of complexity that shaped her words.

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Feminism And The Expectation of Having Strength

''Let this be clear, I'm not not a feminist but there has to be a place in feminism for women who look and act like me the kind - of woman who says no but men hear yes the kind of women who are slated mercilessly for being their authentic, delicate selves, The kind of women who get their own stories and voices taken away from them by stronger women or by men who hate women.''

Lana did not state that women are incapable of being strong or independent. She just made it clear that women can also be fragile, emotional, and imperfect, and that this is just as valid. This rebuttal to the perfect feminist model of feminism is quite profound, and in many ways, there is a conversation that has not been fully explored.

If the feature of feminism is to allow women to be multifaceted, then why is there vulnerability that elicits shame or judgment? This is how Del Rey’s post becomes a critique not just of the music industry’s commercialization and stigmatization of femininity, but also of the societal expectations that compel women to fit into a defined box.

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Vulnerability as a Feminist Act

''I'm fed up with female writers and alt singers saying that I glamorize abuse when in reality I'm just a glamorous person singing about the realities of what we are all now seeing are very prevalent emotionally abusive relationships all over the world.''

Lana’s post makes many notable points, one of which is "It’s okay to feel everything." Feminism, at its core, is about exercising one's choice and freedom as it allows a person to embrace every aspect of themselves without facing judgment.

Yet, this also demonstrates a contradiction within modern feminism. Mainstream feminist narratives tend to describe feminism as a woman’s independence, power, and unyielding endurance, while often negating the emotional, fragile, and broken sides of a woman. The prominence of the words “fragile” and “human,” to describe someone as feministic is a reminder by Lana that these sentiments are just as essential to the conversation and equally as valid alongside strength.

Furthermore, to expose one’s vulnerability in a society which expects unwavering fortitude is, by any means, a feminist act. Women are particularly socialized to hide their feelings, to be emotionally rigid, and to exercise some form of strength. Lana’s acknowledgement of her struggles, and her admission of not being “perfectly strong,” gives us a new model of feminism, one in which emotional honesty is equally as powerful as claiming independence or attaining success.

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Contextualizing Lana’s Post: Feminism in the 21st Century

“With all of the topics women are finally allowed to explore I just want to say over the last ten years I think it's pathetic that my minor lyrical exploration detailing my sometimes submissive or passive roles in my relationships has often made people say Ive set women back hundreds of years."

Over the past few years, the feminist movement has broadened its scope. In other words, what used to be considered the stereotypical self-expression of women became a rebellion against masculinity. Feminists began to celebrate Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion and Doja Cat for such bold and self-loving actions. This new wave of feminism icons was almost always branded with the image of fiercely independent stern femininity who did not shy away from being successful and equally domineering in public.

Lana, in this case, has never met such expectations. Her music and public persona have always had a more pensive, melancholic spirit. She had been critiqued for embodying a more passive and submissive archetype of femininity in her songs and not alongside the sass of her contemporaries.

Lana states she is just one of the numerous women “slated mercilessly for being their genuine, soft selves.” This, as complex as it is, represents authenticity. Lana never pretended to be someone else- she was always being herself. For me, this is an encouragement to women to be unapologetic about simply existing without having to act tough all the time.

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Five Years Later: A New Feminist Paradigm

The post still sparks some level of controversy regarding its core message, however, the context surely changed over the span of five years. Appreciated or not, many decided to come back to the ‘feminine’ paradigm they previously rejected to look at in a different way.

Lana Del Rey’s Instagram post is still deeply important in feminist discussions today because it encouraged women to break free from the expectations set upon them as public figures. By vulnerably confessing to not always being strong and grappling with a range of emotions, she reshaped the framework within which we view feminism. Lana created space for other narratives of femininity—ones that embrace frailty, weakness, and imperfection.