Ten fun facts about Lana Del Rey

Fact 1
Her real name is Elizabeth Woolridge Grant.

Fact 2
She started writing at the age of 18 and signed her first recording contract when she was 22 years old.

Fact 3
An acclaimed musician and cinematographer, she has won the Q Award for “Best New Thing”, a GQ Award for “Woman of the Year”, a BRIT Award for “International Breakthrough Act” and another for “International Pop Female Solo Artist”, and an EMA for “Best Alternative Act”.

Fact 4
The Born to Die album has sold over 5 million copies worldwide to date, and was the fifth best-selling album of 2012.

Fact 5
Del Rey's music has been praised for its cinematic sound and its references to various aspects of pop culture, especially that of the 1950s and 1960s Americana.

Fact 6
She began singing in the church choir when she was a girl.

Fact 7
Rolling Stone noted that Del Rey enjoys playing the role of lounge singer.

Fact 8
After she released her debut single “Video Games” in June 2011, a music video created by Del Rey for the song was uploaded on YouTube in August 2011. After the song became a viral internet hit with over 20 million views, her second studio album, Born to Die, was released in January 2012.

Fact 9
The singer has described herself as a “self-styled gangsta Nancy Sinatra.”

Fact 10
She draws musical influence from what she considers to be the masters of each genre, including Elvis Presley, Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin, Nirvana, Eminem, Bruce Springsteen, and Britney Spears, as well as from poetry and film noir.