2012's Brightest New Star... (So Far)

Lana Del Rey (the artist formerly known as Lizzy Grant) caught a lot of grief in 2012 -- questions about her authenticity and ability to perform live was blogger fodder for months -- but there's no doubt that she is one of the year's most talked-about new artists and remains a force to be reckoned.

Her debut album "Born To Die" debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and was also an international hit, reaching No. 1 in many countries such as France, the U.K. and Australia.

The "Gangsta Nancy Sinatra," as she's been called, has been rocking the international festival circuit this summer and will continue to do so throughout July.

And with her gorgeous new video for "National Anthem" (starring rap phenom A$AP Rocky as a blunt-smoking JFK), Del Rey is back on America's radar in all the right ways.

Source