Global pop star Dua Lipa has spoken openly about the emotional challenges of maintaining a long-distance relationship, admitting that while time helps, it “never stops being hard.” Her reflections come after spending nearly a year on the road during her massive Radical Optimism world tour, which kept her away from her London-based fiancé Callum Turner and her family.
Taking on a new role as an advice columnist for her lifestyle platform Service 95, the 30-year-old singer responded to a fan seeking guidance on staying connected with loved ones while living abroad for work. Drawing from personal experience, Dua acknowledged that distance can deeply affect relationships — even strong ones.
“This is something I’ve had to get pretty good at over the years, especially during touring seasons,” she shared. “It does get easier with time, but it never stops being hard.”
The pop icon explained that being away from family and partners isn’t only about missing major milestones or celebrations. Often, it’s the accumulation of small, everyday moments that creates emotional distance. She described how those little missed experiences can leave people feeling out of sync with one another.
Despite the difficulties, Dua maintained an optimistic perspective. “Yes, relationships do change with distance, but love doesn’t,” she wrote. “If anything, it can feel even stronger when you don’t get to see each other all the time.”
Her reflections come shortly after completing her global Radical Optimism tour, which concluded in Mexico City in December following 92 shows across Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America. The tour, named after her latest studio album Radical Optimism, grossed an impressive $112.3 million and sold nearly 960,000 tickets during its first 44 performances alone.
Marking the end of the tour, Dua shared an emotional message with fans, expressing gratitude for what she described as “the most fulfilling year and a half.” She thanked audiences worldwide for their energy and support, calling the experience unforgettable.
Beyond discussing long-distance love, Dua also offered thoughtful advice about heartbreak. Responding to another fan concerned about a sibling struggling after a breakup, the singer emphasized the importance of emotional presence over quick-fix affirmations.
“Break-ups are never easy — I know that firsthand,” she admitted. Dua, who previously dated model Anwar Hadid and chef Isaac Carew before finding lasting love with Turner, suggested that sometimes the best support is simply being reliable and allowing someone to feel their emotions without trying to immediately “fix” them.
“Break-ups are disorienting,” she noted. “Having the space to feel the weight of that can actually be really healing.”
Dua and Callum first began dating in January 2024 and confirmed their engagement in June this year. Callum has also spoken warmly about their relationship, describing Dua as “the most beautiful woman in the world.” In a recent interview, he recalled their first meaningful connection during drinks for a mutual friend’s birthday. Sitting side by side, they discovered they were both reading the same novel — Trust by Hernan Diaz — a coincidence he described as feeling like a sign from the universe.
As they navigate busy careers and global commitments, the couple reportedly follows certain personal “rules” to protect their relationship amid travel and time apart.
For Dua Lipa, balancing superstardom and personal life may be challenging, but her message remains clear: while distance can test relationships, genuine love has the strength to endure — and sometimes even grow stronger — across continents.
