Watch CBS News

Lana Del Rey's Ex on Surprise Break Up

By E. Parker

Lana Del Rey's ex-boyfriend, Barrie-James O'Neill, is still smarting about their split. O'Neill, who was once a member of the band Kassidy, is now saying he found out that he got dumped by Del Rey in an unusual manner.

In a recent interview with The Scottish Sun (via NME) O'Neill said that he got wind of their breakup from his cousin who had read an interview with Del Rey.

"It all happened when I went to London, as she was staying for a few days," O'Neill said. "But she couldn't stay as she had to do a big interview in America for her new album which was coming out. I was just chilling out in the hotel and out the blue, I got a message."

He says he was blindsided by the news.

"Sorry that you and the missus have broken up," his cousin's text message read.

Related: Lana Del Rey Talks Fear of Death, Panic Attacks

"I was like 'That's news to me–where did you hear that?' And it was on this website. I'm thinking, It's a load of s--- and gossip. But it wasn't. That's how I found out."

While O'Neill said was caught off guard by Del Rey's public announcement, he understood why she would want to separate.

"Looking back, it was probably wasn't easy living with me," he said. "I'm an insomniac and I have depression. I understand why she did it."

There was also a financial dependency that strained their relationship.

"I had saved up a bit but I felt like a burden on Lana, as she was having to take care of me," he said. "And I don't like that, I like to provide for myself. How I felt about the whole thing was, as her partner, I had to protect her."

The two exes are busy with their separate careers. O'Neill is working on his solo debut, Cold Coffee, while Del Rey is out working on new music after this year's Honeymoon.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.