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Lorde Reveals Why She Really Deleted Everything From Social Media

In a rare interview, Lorde says, "[I was] feeling like I was losing my free will."

Since 2018, pop star Lorde has been relatively MIA from social media. In fact, she's deleted all posts prior to that year on Instagram and she has eliminated comments from her account. She also hasn't tweeted since 2017. Fans have been wondering why the star removed herself from the virtual world—and the real world as well, seeing as she has rarely been spotted out in public for the last 18 months. In a new feature in Interview, the 23-year-old Kiwi singer opens up in a Q&A with writer Cazzie David about her decision to take a hiatus from social media. Read on to find out her reasoning, and for other recent celebrity news, check out This Beloved Child Star Is Now Going by a Surprising New Name.

"Part of what made me peace out on social media, apart from feeling like I was losing my free will, was the massive amounts of stress I was feeling about our planet, about systemic racism, and about police brutality in this country," Lorde told David, who admitted that social media (and media in general) is "like candy" to her. "I don't know how you, someone I would describe as being reasonably neurotic, cope with that."

Lorde, who revealed in May that she has been working on a new album, continued, explaining that scrolling through social media feeds literally gets in the way of her work and her sanity. "I think you're able to make evaluations about society because of how voraciously you consume the culture of social media, which is obviously very different to what I do. Doing that, for me, destroys the part of my brain that can make work," she admitted.

Lorde isn't the only star who has quit—or taken a much-needed break—from social media in recent years. Take a look at other stars who opted to part ways with Instagram, Twitter or Facebook. And for another recent revelation from Hollywood, check out These "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Stars Originally Said No to the Show.

Read the original article on Best Life.

1
Lizzo

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Lizzo has always been an open book on social media, sharing candid thoughts and photos. However, in early 2020, she got tired of dealing with online trolls and announced she was quitting Twitter on Jan. 5. "I quit Twitter. I'm off it. All social media is not created equal," she said during an Instagram Live session. "I would love to be on Twitter 'cause I could connect with you people who positively support me… not to mention spreading my own positive messages. But now I've gotten to a point where I'm not just dealing with internet bullies, I'm dealing with seeing a lot of negativity on the internet dealing with everyone." While she allowed her management to keep her account running for awhile, it now appears that the singer is back at it. And for more on stars who don't love attention, check out 17 Major Celebrities Who Actually Hate the Spotlight.

2
Pete Davidson

Pete Davidson arrives for the Netflix 'The Dirt' Premiere on March 18, 2019 in Hollywood, CA
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In July 2018, Cazzie David's former boyfriend Pete Davidson cleared the photos off his social media account. "No there's nothing wrong … I just don't wanna be on Instagram anymore. Or on any social media platform," he wrote. "The internet is an evil place and it doesn't make me feel good … I love you all and I'm sure I'll be back at some point. Your neighborhood goon, Pete."

He returned, but not for long. In Dec. 2018, after a very public split with fiancée Ariana Grande, the star shared a cryptic message before deleting his account altogether. "I really don't want to be on this earth anymore. I'm doing my best to stay here for you but I actually don't know how much longer I can last," he wrote in his last post. "All I've ever tried to do was help people. Just remember I told you so." While Davidson, who's been open about his depression, recovered, he has yet to return to social media. And for more on the messiness between Grande and Davidson, check out Ariana Grande May Have Just Shaded Pete Davidson With Her New Song.

3
Daisy Ridley

Daisy Ridley wears a red dress as the premiere of "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" in 2019
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Daisy Ridley soared to stardom in the Star Wars franchise. However, she didn't embrace the attention she received on social media quite like other celebrities. In Aug. 2016, she opted to delete her Instagram account after being the target of trolls for sharing an anti-gun violence post. She briefly returned the next year, but left shortly thereafter.

In a 2017 interview with Radio Times, she revealed that her decision was rooted in preserving her mental health. "The more I read about teenage anxiety, the more I think it's highly unhealthy for people's mental health," she said. "It's such a weird thing for young people to look at distorted images of things they should be." And for more Instagram drama with a happier ending, check out Eva Mendes Defends Partner Ryan Gosling With a Sweet Instagram Comment.

4
Keira Knightley

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Once upon a time, Pirates of the Caribbean star Keira Knightley was on social media. But her presence was short lived. "I had a [Twitter] account for about five seconds. I watched it accumulate, like, 100 followers in 3 seconds and I got so freaked out that I turned it off straight away," she told The Observer in 2019. "And then Facebook. I was on for a day 10 years ago, and never posted anything on it, but it still emails me all the time as if I am a member or whatever." And for more celebrity news delivered to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.

5
Mila Kunis

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You might find Mila Kunis fan pages on social media, but none of them actually belong to the actor. In 2018, Kunis removed herself from social media, explaining to Cosmopolitan she left because of the negativity, despite her husband, Ashton Kutcher's, earlier experience. "He used to be incredibly forward-thinking with social media, when the intent was to connect to people," she said. "It took an ugly turn and became all about who can be the loudest, who can be the angriest and the most negative. Then it's just not a fun game to play." And for more on Kutcher and Kunis's That '70s Show days, check out The Biggest '00s TV Teen Idols, Then and Now.

Leah Groth
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related. Read more
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