Lorde's heartbreaking update to fans: ‘I ache all the time’

The Kiwi pop star, 26, has spent her fair share of time in the spotlight since releasing her career-launching song Royals in 2012, and it seems to be taking its toll on her.

Addressing the months of speculation that she is releasing new music – something that fans believed was confirmed when her website went down this week – the star has released a lengthy heartfelt newsletter revealing she is “living with heartbreak again”.

Lorde, who has been out of New Zealand since May, also addresses her current relationship status, appearing to confirm her split from longtime music executive boyfriend Justin Warren, 42.

She is living in London and while “things feel clear here”, she said she is mostly alone with her thoughts and is “starting to miss my friends and family, like a vitamin I’m deficient in”.

“It’s different but the same. I ache all the time, I forget why and then remember. I’m not trying to hide from the pain, I understand now that pain isn’t something to hide from, that there’s actually great beauty in moving with it. But sometimes I’m sick of being with myself.”

Sharing her love for Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, she said she loved engaging from London and raised awareness for The Kindness Institute - a mental health resource for Māori rangatahi - asking fans to donate if possible as it recently lost government funding. “I know the cost of living is cooked for Kiwis right now and pop stars asking people to donate sux, but if you work at a good-sized company maybe you can wrangle a donation from your employers?! I’m gonna email my record company about it.”

Finally, the singer signed off her post telling fans, “don’t worry about me”, and admits, “I still laugh every day, it’s all moving, even when it goes slow. I’ve accepted the mission — I have a self to recover.”

Bree and Clint, unleashed every arvo on ZM!