Ex-Fiancée of Lana Del Rey’s New Husband Says She Was 'Shocked' by Their Marriage, but Is 'Happy' for the Couple

"He is deserving of this blessing," Kelli Welsh said of ex Jeremy Dufrene

The ex-fiancée of Lana Del Rey's new husband, Jeremy Dufrene, has well wishes for the newly married couple.

Kelli Welsh was engaged to Durfrene — who wed Del Rey, 39, on Sept. 26 in Des Allemandes, Louisiana — for 12 years, before they split in October 2023, The Daily Mail reported.

Speaking with the outlet, Welsh, 45, said that while she was "shocked" to learn of her former lover's marriage news, she is "happy" for Dufrene and Del Rey.

"I am in shock because we were engaged for 12 years, and he got married after one month," Welsh said. "But I am happy for him."

"He is a very protective, hardworking, manly man. He needed to get out of his comfort zone. He was used to bayou life and being out on the swamp," she added. "He is deserving of this blessing."

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Related: Lana Del Rey's Husband 'Is Different' from Other Men She's Met. Why That Fueled Their 'Whirlwind Romance' (Exclusive Source)

Del Rey exchanged vows with Dufrene at the public bayou where he works as a captain at Airboat Tours by Arthur.

In the photos published by The Daily Mail, the singer-songwriter wore a floor-length white gown with a scooped, ruffled neckline.

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Though Del Rey and Dufrene have not been publicly dating for long, their nuptials took place several years after the “Summertime Sadness” musician initially met her new beau.

Del Rey first shared photos with Dufrene on Facebook in 2019 after she took one of his wildlife tours. 
"Jeremy lemme be captain at Arthur’s Air Boat Tours," she captioned a set of images at the time.

Related: Inside Lana Del Rey and Jeremy Dufrene's 'Relaxed, Family-Focused' Wedding on the Bayou (Exclusive Source)

According to The Daily Mail, Dufrene and Welsh started dating as teenagers, though they broke up after a year.

Dufrene then went on to marry his first wife Gina, with whom he shares three children, the outlet reported, though their marriage ended after a year. Dufrene eventually got back together with Welsh years later in 2011.

The following year, The Daily Mail said that Dufrene and Welsh began engaged, though they never wed.

"He has always been a giver, so to have someone give to him, he deserves it," Welsh said of her former love to the outlet. "He is a very solid guy. I care about him deeply as a friend. His ability to love and care and protect people makes him so attractive."

"I will say that he really does look happy with her," she continued. "And she does with him, which is a good thing to see. It's not a fake happy, he truly is in love with her."

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