Artist of the Week: Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey might face criticisms regarding her performance on "Saturday Night Live", but it didn't stop her star from shining. The singer, who claimed her fame through single "Video Games", broke record with her first major-label album "Born to Die".

Amidst the harsh words she received due to the "SNL" gig, Del Rey beat the odd by debuting at No. 2 on Billboard Hot 200. She became the first female artist, since Jackie Evancho, to have the highest entry on the U.S. album chart through a full-length major label debut.

She additionally climbed up to No. 1 on the album charts outside the United States. "Thank you for making the record #1 in 11 countries. Your sweet words have softened the effect of even the harshest reviews. I adore you," she graciously thanked her fans for their support.

She might not be "a natural performer," but she's not a quitter when it comes to reaching her goal. "You have to be brave and try to start again. It might be a little scary. Not many people say 'Let's start life over and do it again' [like] the way I want to," she said.

Though she repeatedly said that she's "not by nature a showstopper" when it came to a live performance, Del Rey proved she deserved the fame she enjoyed. Hot on the heels of her success on the chart, Del Rey redeemed her underwhelming gig on the "SNL" with an improved one on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!".

© AceShowbiz.com