Jeremy Dufrene’s ex-fiancée has revealed she was completely blindsided by his wedding to Lana Del Rey, and only learned he had tied the knot when she was shown pictures the following morning.
The singer-songwriter, 39, married the 49-year-old gator guide in an intimate ceremony by the water in Des Allemandes, Louisiana on Thursday, just one month after the pair went public with their romance, and five years after they first met.
Kelli Welsh, 45, who was engaged to Dufrene for 12 years before they split in October 2023, told DailyMail.com she was in ‘shock’ at how quickly they said, ‘I do.’
‘I am in shock because we were engaged for 12 years, and he got married after one month,’ she 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. He is deserving of this blessing.’
Jeremy Dufrene’s ex-fiancée Kelli Welsh revealed she was blindsided and only learned of his wedding to Lana Del Rey when she was shown pictures the following morning
The singer, 39, married the 49-year-old gator guide by the water in Des Allemandes, Louisiana on Thursday, just one month after the pair went public with their romance
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EXCLUSIVE
Lana Del Rey kept her identity a SECRET from new man Jeremy Dufrene
Welsh and Dufrene started dating as teenagers when she was 16 and he was 19, but they broke up after a year.
He went on to marry his first wife Gina, with whom he has three children, two sons and a daughter.
Within a year of their marriage ending, he rekindled with Welsh in 2011 having maintained contact over the years.
He proposed in 2012, but the teenage sweethearts never married and eventually split last October. Dufrene also raised Welsh’s daughter Alana, now 20, as his own. She still lives with him, while Welsh is now based in Texas.
‘I will say that he really does look happy with her,’ she said. ‘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.’
Welsh said she still cares ‘deeply’ for Dufrene who ‘deserves’ to find happiness.
‘He has always been a giver so to have someone give to him, he deserves it,’ she continued. ‘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.’
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Kelli Welsh, 45, who was engaged to Dufrene for 12 years before they split in October 2023, told DailyMail.com she was in ‘shock’ at how quickly they said, ‘I do’
Welsh said she still cares ‘deeply’ for Dufrene who ‘deserves’ to find happiness (pictured with Del Rey on one of his tours)
Dufrene pictured with Welsh’s daughter Alana, 20, who lives with him in the childhood home he rebuilt
Lana went public with Jeremy on August 25, when the pair were spotted holding hands and having a romantic meal together in London after performing at Leeds Festival.
The pair then attended Karen Elson’s wedding earlier this month alongside Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
On Monday, TMZ reported that the unlikely couple had picked up a marriage license.
By Thursday, Del Rey was being walked down the aisle by her father Robert Grant at the same bayou where Dufrene operates his popular swamp boat tours.
The Summertime Sadness singer – who is worth a reported $30million – looked ethereal in a white wedding gown with a billowing skirt as she carried a small bouquet.
Dufrene swapped his go-to trucker hat for a black suit, white dress shirt and brown leather shoes.
The newlyweds first met when she performed at the Buku Music + Art Project in Louisiana in March 2019. She went on one of his tours and shared a photo of him kissing an alligator.
At the time, both Del Rey and Dufrene – who is part owner of Airboat Tours by Arthur – were in relationships.
Dufrene (pictured with his ex Welsh) and Del Rey have known each other since 2019 when she booked a gator boat tour and shared a picture
DailyMail.com previously revealed that the Grammy nominee didn’t immediately divulge who she was to Dufrene as she found it ‘refreshing’ that he had ‘no idea’ who she was
DailyMail.com previously revealed that the Grammy nominee didn’t immediately divulge who she was to Dufrene as she found it ‘refreshing’ that the alligator enthusiast had ‘no idea’ who she was.
The source said: ‘When Lana revisited the area in May to perform at Hangout Fest, they were both single and they reconnected.
‘He saw his golden opportunity and asked her out and they have been together since. She loves older men.’
Her relationship with Dufrene initially worried friends who were convinced they would dig up something suspect about the divorced father-of-four.
But they soon realized he treats her well and gives her what she ‘needs’ from a partner.
Del Rey dated Live PD hunk Sean Larkin, 52, following her first meeting with Dufrene.
She then started dating Clayton Johnson, who she got engaged to, before later calling it off.
She then had rumored flings with Salem rocker Jack Donoghue and, most recently, musician Evan Winiker.