Lana Del Rey Explains Why She's Rarely Performed on TV Since Infamous 'SNL' Debacle: 'I Didn't Feel Confident'

The musician reflected on backlash she received after a lackluster 2012 performance of "Blue Jeans" and "Video Games" on 'Saturday Night Live'

Ever since Lana Del Rey's infamously lackluster 2012 Saturday Night Live performance, she's rarely performed on television. Now, she's opening up about why.

In a new cover story interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Del Rey reflected on choosing to stay away from live TV performances after she received backlash for not sounding great while delivering renditions of "Blue Jeans" and "Video Games" on the hit variety series.

The 38-year-old singer-songwriter explained that she's received offers to return to the small screen after SNL but only accepted one — to sing "Let Me Love You Like a Woman" from her Chemtrails Over the Country Club album on The Tonight Show in 2020, which was not in front of a live audience due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Maybe [performing on TV is] something else I’ll grow into more, like touring. And don’t get me wrong. I toured for nine years of my life. It was nonstop. It was tough. But you know in your heart when it’s the right time. And it’s never been the right time," Del Rey told the outlet.

"Maybe now, even if I didn’t feel confident, I would do it anyway," she added, before seeming to hint that the SNL debacle harmed her courage: "But there was a reason not to feel confident."

Following her performance on SNL, the star was heavily criticized for her vocal abilities and even parodied in a later episode of the series.

Del Rey admitted she wasn't sure another live performance on TV would be embraced by viewers. "I didn’t know if it would be received well," she said. "But there’s a lot of weirdos out there now, so, we’re fine. We’re in good company."

The Grammy-nominated artist spoke about how the industry has changed since she came on the scene. "I started at a time when things were very much one way. Little by little, there’s a lot more room for storytelling and saying different stuff," said Del Rey. "You’re seeing a lot more good girl songwriters, too. Well, who am I to say that? I like a lot of the singers out right now."

Since May, Del Rey has been touring the world in support of her latest album, Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd. Elsewhere in the THR interview, she spoke about preparing for shows and how it feels different today than previously in her career.

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"I get nervous. [But] this is a totally different tour," said Del Rey. "The stage production is bigger. There are more people on that stage with me, so I’m more comfortable. But even if it was just a one-off show and it was just me in the spotlight, I’d be much more equipped now."

She continued, "I have experience. I’ve toured just off of YouTube [music] since before I had an album. But right now, I’m excited. I don’t feel nervous to tour."

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