Don't Believe Lorde is 17? Here's the Proof

Because people are crazy and no one seems to believe that a teenager could actually do something impressive, two-time Grammy winner Lorde's birth certificate revealed online on Wednesday, all in the name of dispelling rumors about her age. Apparently, this was a necessary thing, and many people are relieved to "finally" know the truth about Lorde's birth date. Again, crazy.

It all started a few months ago, when the singer first started giving interviews and appearing on talk shows to promote her album, Pure Heroine. Lorde's mature views on things like feminism and sexuality apparently threw off a lot of people, and when combined with her unique looks and clothing style, it was enough to convince some fans that the "Royals" singer wasn't really 17. Their numbers only multiplied after Lorde's Grammy wins this weekend, which caused a scarily large number of people to tweet theories about Lorde's "real" age, which they approximated to be about 40-years-old.

Thankfully, The Hairpin decided to quell the rumors once and for all, ordering a copy of the singer's birth certificate. One conversation with the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs and $17 dollars later, and the truth was revealed: Lorde, it seems, is actually 17. Shocker.

All joking aside, it's kind of rude of people to make such a big deal out of Lorde's age, because her comments about "being an old soul" and "looking back on childhood" are only a small part of the equation. It's the singer's looks, along with her gender, that likely prompted most conspiracists' doubts; how could an unconventional looking, awkward-dancing, teenage girl be that successful?

Lorde has worked hard for her success; she's made that clear in every interview, as well as her intention to turn her status as breakout star into a long-lasting career. She's talented, innovative, and professional, keenly aware of what the industry needs and what audiences want to hear. Even if you're not a fan of her music, her thoughts on subjects like fame, sexism, and power are undeniably admirable. All of this would be impressive for any artist, regardless of age, but the fact that Lorde is doing it all at 17 is even more remarkable — and more important.

Teenagers have always had a bad rap in the media, with far too many of them portrayed as snotty, spoiled kids undeserving of their success. In some cases, there's reason (see: Bieber), but for a whole lot more, the criticism is undeserved. Thanks to people like Lorde and her friend/ Rookie editor Tavi Gevinson, a new attitude is starting to form: teens, at least some of them, are capable of doing good, and doing it well.

By calling their ages into question, though, it's saying that it's impossible for someone young — and female — to accomplish something big. In order for someone like Lorde to reach all the goals she has (winning Grammys, selling out tours, covering Rolling Stone ), it's saying, she has to be 40, not 17, and that's simply just not the case.