Lana Del Rey and Jennifer Lawrence kissing: The real story behind the viral photograph

At first glance, it looks like the genuine article. The real story behind the image, however, reveals an even more controversial truth

“Lana Del Rey and Jennifer Lawrence kissing might just be the best thing I’ve ever seen,” one Twitter user wrote, following up his post with a series of heart-eyed emoticons and a jaw-dropped mouth.

“My dreams just came true, Lana Del Rey and Jennifer Lawrence…” another added lustily. He didn’t need to add any more detail than that, as for the zillionth time in about a year, a familiar photograph of the pair locking lips did the viral rounds on the internet and promptly trended worldwide.

And at first glance, it certainly looks like the genuine article. The real story behind the image, however, reveals a different – and potentially more controversial – truth.

The girl on the right hand side there? Unsurprisingly, not actually Jennifer Lawrence.

But it is Lana Del Rey’s sister, who is also the photographer behind the shot.

The picture isn’t recent at all, but was actually taken back in April 2012.

“Getting a lot of messages about looking like Jennifer Lawrence, but this takes it a bit too far, don’t you think? Lana del Rey and Jennifer Lawrence,” Lana’s sister, Chuck Grant (yes, a girl called Chuck), said when she first shared it.

“Comforting to think that if my photography were to fail I could probably work as Jennifer Lawrence’s stand-in… #sisters,” Chuck posted in an attempt to clear up the rumours regarding her sister and the actress that promptly circa-navigated the internet.

But try as she may, the web legend had already been born. And as with all virtual old wives tales, this one has refused to die, even two years after the initial fact.