Updated: February 28, 2026
Lana Del Rey has always had a knack for turning heads with her dreamy music and mysterious personal life. But when news broke recently that her ex-fiancé, Clayton Johnson, is stepping into the spotlight on the new season of The Bachelorette, fans couldn’t help but revisit one of her most talked-about past relationships. The country singer-songwriter from Nashville is now competing for love on reality TV, years after his brief but intense engagement to the “Summertime Sadness” icon. Let’s dive into the story that’s got everyone buzzing.
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How Lana Del Rey and Clayton Johnson Met and Got Engaged
It all started in the summer of 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic. Lana and Clayton connected on a dating app shortly after her split from Live PD star Sean “Sticks” Larkin. Sparks flew quickly—they began following each other on Instagram in August 2020, and by December, things got serious.
Lana appeared on The Tonight Show sporting a stunning diamond ring, sparking immediate engagement rumors. Sources confirmed to outlets like PEOPLE that the pair was indeed engaged. They even lived together for a time on his parents’ farm in Northern California, blending her Hollywood world with his more grounded, country roots. Clayton, a singer-songwriter himself, seemed like a sweet match for Lana’s nostalgic, romantic vibe.
- Met on a dating app in mid-2020
- Engagement revealed publicly around December 2020/early 2021
- Shared a low-key life, including time on a family farm
- Both creatives: Lana’s ethereal pop meets Clayton’s country tunes
The romance felt like something out of one of her songs—intimate, cinematic, and a little bittersweet from the start.
The Breakup: Why the Engagement Ended
Sadly, the fairy tale didn’t last. By mid-2021—some reports point to June or September—the couple called it quits. Insiders cited the challenges of lockdown life as a factor, with one source telling media that “they have sadly gone their separate ways.” There was no dramatic public fallout; it just quietly fizzled out.
Lana moved on to other relationships, including a romance with rocker Jack Donoghue in 2022, an engagement to music manager Evan Winiker in 2023 (which also ended), and ultimately marrying alligator tour guide Jeremy Dufrene in a surprise Louisiana swamp wedding in September 2024. As of 2026, Lana and Jeremy are still going strong, with recent PDA sightings at events like the Ralph Lauren fashion show.
Clayton, meanwhile, kept a lower profile for a while but stayed connected to music, releasing his debut EP Live to Learn in recent years.
Clayton Johnson’s New Chapter on ‘The Bachelorette’
Fast-forward to 2026, and Clayton is back in the headlines—this time as one of the 22 contestants on season 22 of The Bachelorette, starring Taylor Frankie Paul (known from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives). ABC revealed the cast recently, and fans immediately spotted the Lana connection.
In his intro clip, Clayton shared a sweet line: “People say they want to grow old with somebody. I want to stay young with somebody.” It’s clear he’s ready to find love again after the high-profile split.
Here’s a quick overview of the key details:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Ex-Fiancé Name | Clayton Johnson |
| Age (approx.) | 37 |
| Profession | Singer/Songwriter from Nashville, TN |
| Engagement Period | 2020–2021 |
| How They Met | Dating app |
| Split Date | Around mid-2021 |
| Current Spotlight | Contestant on The Bachelorette Season 22 (2026) |
| Lana’s Current Status | Married to Jeremy Dufrene (since 2024) |
This table sums up the timeline and facts that keep popping up in searches.
What This Means for Lana’s Legacy of Love Songs
Lana Del Rey’s relationships have always inspired her art—think moody ballads about love, loss, and longing. Her time with Clayton was short but memorable, adding another layer to her story of chasing (and sometimes losing) that old-school romance.
Now, with Clayton putting himself out there on national TV, it’s a full-circle moment. Will he find his match? And how does Lana feel about her ex in the Bachelorette mansion? She hasn’t commented publicly, staying true to her private style.
In the end, life goes on for both. Lana’s happily married in her swamp-side world, while Clayton’s chasing new beginnings. It’s a reminder that even the most glamorous love stories can take unexpected turns—and sometimes, they lead right back to reality TV.