The opening riff of Metallica’s Seek & Destroy blares as a man in a camouflage cap takes position at a shooting range. He raises a semi-automatic rifle and fires repeatedly at a target.
The scene might resemble a Hollywood action movie, but the shooter is Jeremy Dufrene, Lana Del Rey’s husband.
“Shot the zombie guy in the head,” the Louisiana alligator-tour guide wrote over the Instagram video, just weeks after celebrating the couple’s second wedding anniversary.
The footage is the latest indication that Dufrene is moving beyond his wife’s shadow—and increasingly embracing the role of her protector.
The 51-year-old has recently pushed back against infidelity rumors and confronted Ricky Q, a Del Rey fan whose behavior has prompted concern among some of the singer’s followers.
With Del Rey, 41, preparing to unveil new music, a promotional campaign could take the couple beyond their quiet Louisiana life. Insiders tell Our News Outlet that Dufrene’s protective instincts are likely to become even more pronounced.
“Jeremy is absolutely a protector—a bodyguard-like man. He is always deeply protective of the people close to him and their feelings. Protecting Lana is simply in his nature,” said a source familiar with Dufrene.
A source told Our News Outlet that Lana Del Rey’s husband, Jeremy Dufrene, is stepping out of her shadow and taking on a more protective role (pictured together in January)
Fans quickly cast Dufrene as Del Rey’s protector after he shared footage from a shooting range (pictured) (Source: Jeremy Dufrene/Instagram)
According to a music-industry source, that is precisely the dynamic Del Rey wants.
“Lana loves Jeremy’s protective nature. He is like a big bear who can frighten away anyone with bad intentions. He would take a bullet for her.”
Their romance sounds like a story lifted from one of Del Rey’s own songs.
The couple first met in 2019, when Del Rey joined one of Dufrene’s swamp tours. They reconnected five years later, prompting romance speculation, and married in September 2024 at the Louisiana bayou where their relationship began.
Dufrene, who was married previously, is also a father of three: two daughters and a son.
Although Del Rey seldom speaks publicly about her marriage, she once told W Magazine that Dufrene was “the most impactful person in my life.” She also revealed that her song Stars Fell on Alabama was inspired by him.
Still, life as Lana Del Rey’s husband has brought its share of online hostility.
Recently, Dufrene has responded directly, beginning with a forceful denial after unverified claims circulated that he had cheated.
Dufrene responded to Ricky Q after the fan criticized the couple beneath an anniversary photograph posted by Del Rey’s father, Rob Grant
An influencer repeated the allegation while acknowledging that it had not been verified. Dufrene then entered the comments, writing: “Who is this rumor spreading b!+(h?” He added a message for Del Rey’s supporters: “Y’all don’t believe this.”
He claimed he was “with Lana 24-7 or she knows exactly where or what I’m doing,” adding that she had seen the post and called it “bull s***.” He then told the woman who shared it to “go fly a kite if you know how.”
The source close to Dufrene supported his account, saying: “He doesn’t leave her side. Lana appreciates that he is available to be with her. She wanted someone who could always be by her side.”
Despite the public response, the source said Dufrene is not naturally confrontational and speaks out mainly when Del Rey is targeted.
“He would rather stay quiet unless he needs to intervene,” the source said. “He is a private person. If he does respond, it is usually to protect Lana or someone else he cares about. He would do whatever it takes for the people he loves.”
The same source also rejected the idea that the shooting-range video reflected a volatile temperament.
“He is not aggressive. He would never start a fight, but he would not be afraid to stand up to someone if they started one. He would not back down.”
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That attitude was on display several weeks ago, when Dufrene answered back after Ricky Q criticized the couple beneath an anniversary image shared by Rob Grant.
“Jeremy is absolutely a protector—a bodyguard-like man,” said a source close to Dufrene, pictured with Del Rey. “He is always protective of the people close to him, and protecting Lana is in his nature.” (Source: Lana Del Rey/ Instagram)
Ricky Q, who uses the handle dat1guitarguy, wrote: “Shame dat she settled for da lowest of the barrel hah but hey let her do her thang.”
Dufrene replied without softening his words: “@dat1guitarguy it’s a shame that someone like you talk s*** all the time. For someone that’s been stalking her for years. Maybe we can meet up one day and see what you have to say. Till then bring your bulls*** somewhere else.”
The exchange was aggressive, but the music insider said Dufrene believes he has reason to be wary. “He wants her to be more careful about who she engages with and to create a protective barrier around herself, because so many people believe they know her,” the insider said.
Dufrene’s concerns may be linked to Ricky Q’s alleged history of following the singer. The fan has reportedly spent years tracking Del Rey and has shared video of himself with his arms around her at Coachella.
The footage has unsettled some of Del Rey’s supporters.
One clip from 2022 appears to show Ricky Q approaching Del Rey as she gets into a car outside a venue, while security personnel tell him off.
Reddit users have also circulated comments apparently posted by Ricky Q on the Instagram page of Del Rey’s sister, photographer Caroline “Chuck” Grant. In a post dated July 20, 2025, he allegedly wrote: “Well Chuck you’re a c*** u already know that! But tell you sister that she is the worst type of woman bc she ghosts.”
That day, he also shared a picture of himself with Del Rey’s father and captioned it: “maybe you should tell your daughter to do better.”
Dufrene’s concerns may stem from Ricky Q’s reported history of following Del Rey, including footage the fan posted showing himself with his arms around her at Coachella (pictured) (Source: Ricky Q/Instagram)
Ricky Q also shared a photograph with Del Rey’s father, Rob Grant, before later writing on the businessman’s Instagram page: “maybe you should tell your daughter to do better” (Source: Ricky Q/Instagram)
The alleged conduct has reportedly heightened Dufrene’s concerns. “Lana has some extremely devoted fans, and that worries him. She has listened to him and pulled back,” the source said.
Del Rey appeared to follow that advice in July 2025, when she blocked Ricky Q after he commented on a photograph showing Dufrene’s tanned forearm and joked that it needed sunscreen.
Ricky Q reacted angrily on social media, writing: “I’ve said so much worse s*** in her dms and posts. I’ve trolled each of her dozen exes since 2019. Imma shake my f**ing head Blocking me over that r**** redneck of a last min husband.”
The outburst may help explain why Dufrene remains vigilant. Del Rey has experienced frightening encounters with alleged stalkers in the past.
In February 2018, police arrested Michael Shawn Hunt a block from Del Rey’s Orlando concert after receiving a tip about threatening Facebook posts. He was carrying tickets to the show and a three-inch folding knife.
Several days later, Del Rey became emotional onstage in Atlanta while telling fans about the incident.
Hunt later pleaded no contest to stalking charges and served a year in jail.
“He is very old-fashioned and believes a man should look out for his wife. He always puts Lana first,” the source said of Dufrene, pictured with Del Rey in February
People close to Dufrene say he is determined to prevent a similar situation from happening again.
As Del Rey prepares to release two albums—Stove and a companion project reportedly titled Spyda—she appears set to have her husband beside her.
“She is madly in love and has told friends that he is her ‘rock,’” the music insider said.
“He is very old-fashioned and believes a man should protect his wife. He always puts her first. He is also a Southern gentleman who listens to her and gives her an enormous amount of love and security.”
Our News Outlet has contacted Ricky Q, Dufrene’s representatives and Del Rey’s representatives for comment.
