Photographer James K Lowe — best known as, let's face it, Lorde's boyfriend — has written a lengthy blog post about his life on the fringe of the spotlight.
Aside from feeling bittersweet about the conclusion of 'True Detective' — "In the previous post I was getting excited to watch a new series," he writes, "and now that show has come and gone" — Lowe opens up about the surreal ride he's been taken on since Lorde (aka Ella Yelich-O'Connor) blew up.
"Since originally sitting down to write this post, Ella has become a two time grammy winner. She has taken home a Brit too. Currently she is on the opposite side of the world on tour. As much as I miss her, I couldn't be prouder of what she has achieved so far. If you are lucky enough to attend one of her shows on this current tour, you'll experience more than just her voice. The production she has dreamt up looks incredible... I can't wait to see it myself next month."
Naturally, Lowe has taken comfort in the wisdom of bearded shaman Jared Leto.
"Jared Leto said that fame doesn't change you, it changes everyone around you," Lowe writes. "While I'm not the centre of attention here (and fuck, the times I have, it's never been fun), I do become aware of the people around me and their transparency. They fail to hide it. I've experienced being a target of the tabloids, finding moments I thought I was in safe hands splattered all over the internet, being pushed and shoved, or watching others get pushed and shoved by paparazzi just to get what they think they're entitled to."
It's not all bad, of course — it turns out being a talented artist in your own right and the boyfriend of one of the world's biggest stars has its perks, too.
"There is a bright, shining silver lining to this thing I've been exposed to," Lowe admits. "I've had the privilege to sit on an aircraft for 12 hours, cramped, exhausted but happy (like Louis CK once said, "YOU'RE FLYING. YOU'RE SITTING IN A CHAR IN THE SKY!"). I've been able to tell tales of the many amazing people I've met along the way — from fellow photographers, to artists I've always admired and never thought I'd get to meet, let alone have a simple thing like coffee with...
"People who seem to scramble the words within your brain and the only thing you end up doing is blurting out 'HILSKDFLKWELK' (at some point it's a verbal greeting, but ends up a flurry of sweat mixed with spit). More importantly, I've found a little inspiration from new faces. People I look up to. People whose work I admire so much. For all of this I have to thank the one I look up to the most. Who I admire the most. Who still fills the little voids I try to avoid."
There's much, much more over at Lowe's blog; you can also check out his portfolio here.
