The woman whose heart was pledged to Jeremy Dufrene, a seasoned alligator tour guide, for over a decade prior to his sudden union with the enigmatic Lana Del Rey, has finally spoken out, following their whirlwind wedding. "I'm reeling in disbelief," Kelli Welsh confided to the Daily Mail on Saturday, "We were engaged for a dozen years, and then he tied the knot within a month."
Despite the abrupt turn of events leaving her stunned, the 45-year-old ex-fiancée professed her genuine happiness for Dufrene. "He's a man of immense strength, unwavering dedication, and a protective nature," Welsh gushed, her voice laced with admiration. "He's always been a selfless giver, so it's only fitting that someone should now pour into him. He's a rock-solid individual, deserving of all the joy that comes his way."
Further extolling his virtues, she added, "His capacity to love, nurture, and safeguard those around him is what makes him so irresistibly charming." Acknowledging the significant lifestyle shift Dufrene would now embark upon as the husband of a musical sensation, Welsh believed he "needed a breath of fresh air, to step outside his comfort zone."
"He was accustomed to the simplicity of bayou life, traversing the murky swamps," Welsh noted with a touch of nostalgia. "But he's earned this blessing, and I'm thrilled for him." Despite their disparate paths, Welsh saw a harmonious union between Dufrene and Del Rey, observing, "They radiate an authentic happiness that cannot be feigned. He's truly smitten with her."
Their love story spans back to their teenage years, though it wasn't until after Dufrene's divorce from Gina, with whom he shares three children, that their romance rekindled in earnest in 2011. They got engaged the following year and shared a life together until their amicable separation last October.
Now, with her own 20-year-old daughter from a previous relationship, Welsh has seemingly found solace, clarifying that while her feelings for Dufrene remain "deep and genuine, they're confined to the realm of friendship."
Page Six sought comment from Del Rey's representatives regarding Welsh's sentiments but received no response. The "Summertime Sadness" crooner, 39, exchanged vows with Dufrene in a intimate ceremony held in Des Allemandes, Louisiana, on Thursday, attended by a select few family members and close friends.
Del Rey, born Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, looked ethereal in a flowing white gown as she gracefully walked down the aisle, escorted by her father, Robert Grant. Dufrene, on the other hand, opted for a dapper ensemble of a dark suit, vest, and brown leather shoes, perfectly suited for the outdoor wedding.
The couple's 'I do's' came just a month after they were first romantically linked, sparking a flurry of speculations given their vastly different backgrounds. However, it seems the duo has known each other for quite some time, with Del Rey posting pictures from an outing with Dufrene on Facebook as far back as 2019, captioned, "Jeremy lemme be captain at Arthur's Air Boat Tours x."
