Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga is a pop star and a queer icon. Through her music and her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, she stands for diversity and self-acceptance.
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Lady Gaga
Posture
Lady Gaga is a public advocate for the rights of LGBTQ+ people. She speaks openly about her own bisexuality and rejects the idea that people should be marginalised because of their sexual orientation.
Her performances also send a message: clothing, make-up and role models do not have to conform to what others expect of a pop star. Gaga constantly changes her style and uses the stage to play with such expectations.
As well as her music, she is committed to helping young people. Through the Born This Way Foundation, she supports projects that tackle bullying and promote an open approach to mental health.
Who is Lady Gaga?
Lady Gaga’s real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. She was born in New York in 1986 and is a singer, songwriter and actress. She rose to international fame in 2008 with her album *The Fame*. As well as dance-pop, she has also released jazz music and taken on roles in film and television. She is a public advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and for the mental health of young people.
Effect
Combining music and images
Gaga creates eye-catching looks, videos and stage shows to accompany her songs. She refuses to be pigeonholed into any one style.
Exploring new musical horizons
As well as recording electronic pop music, she released jazz albums in collaboration with Tony Bennett and also made a name for herself as an actress.
Taking a stand against exclusion
Gaga speaks out publicly in support of LGBTQ+ rights. Through her charity, she also supports young people and anti-bullying initiatives.
Moments
Key milestones in Lady Gaga’s life and career.
Born in New York
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta was born on 28 March in New York City.
The breakthrough
Her first album, *The Fame*, is released. With *Just Dance* and *Poker Face*, she reaches a huge international audience.
Born This Way
The song and the album of the same name are released. The title track becomes particularly well known within the LGBTQ+ community.
A foundation for young people
Lady Gaga is launching the Born This Way Foundation. Among other things, the organisation is committed to combating bullying.
Success at the cinema
In 2018, Gaga starred in *A Star Is Born*. In 2019, she won an Oscar for the song ‘Shallow’, alongside the other songwriters.
Mayhem
Lady Gaga has released the album *Mayhem*, marking a stronger return to electronic-influenced pop music.
Community
Lady Gaga speaks openly about her bisexuality. The support she received from gay fans played an important role early on in her career. Later on, she repeatedly used her fame to publicly champion LGBTQ+ rights.
'Born This Way' was released in 2011. The song is about embracing one’s own identity. It became an important song for many people in the LGBTQ+ community. Gaga combines this message with stage performances that often deliberately defy expectations regarding gender and appearance.
Gaga calls her fans ‘Little Monsters’. As well as her music, she is committed to helping young people through the Born This Way Foundation, which she launched in 2012. Among other things, the foundation works on issues such as bullying, community and mental health.
Meaning
Lady Gaga’s pop career is characterised by a blend of music, eye-catching performances and social activism.
Pop music
Songs such as ‘Poker Face’, ‘Bad Romance’ and ‘Born This Way’ made her famous worldwide.
Theatre and Fashion
Her ever-changing looks and elaborately staged performances are an integral part of her artistic work.
LGBTQ+ visibility
As an openly bisexual artist, Gaga speaks out publicly in support of LGBTQ+ rights and against exclusion.
Social commitment
Through the Born This Way Foundation, she supports initiatives that promote respectful coexistence and mental health amongst young people.
Easy language
Lady Gaga is a singer and actress from the USA. She was born in New York in 1986. Her real name is Stefani Germanotta.
Lady Gaga makes pop music. She writes songs and appears in films. Some of her best-known songs are ‘Poker Face’ and ‘Born This Way’.
Lady Gaga is bisexual. This means she can be attracted to people of different genders. She supports the LGBTQ+ community.
Lady Gaga campaigns against exclusion and bullying. She wants people to be able to live as they are.
Lady Gaga is famous all over the world. Many queer people consider her music and her activism to be important.
Frequently asked questions about Lady Gaga
Answers to questions about Lady Gaga’s life, music and her support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Who is Lady Gaga?
Lady Gaga is a singer, songwriter and actress from the USA. She rose to international fame in 2008 with the album *The Fame*.
What is Lady Gaga’s real name?
Her full birth name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta.
When was Lady Gaga born?
She was born on 28 March 1986 in New York City.
Which songs made Lady Gaga famous?
Her best-known songs include ‘Just Dance’, ‘Poker Face’, ‘Bad Romance’, ‘Born This Way’ and ‘Shallow’.
Is Lady Gaga bisexual?
Yes. Lady Gaga has spoken publicly about her bisexuality and is an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
What does ‘Born This Way’ mean?
The song, released in 2011, deals with accepting one’s own identity. It is particularly well known within the LGBTQ+ community.
What does the Born This Way Foundation do?
The foundation, launched by Lady Gaga in 2012, supports young people and, amongst other things, campaigns against bullying and promotes mental health.
Did Lady Gaga win an Oscar?
Yes. In 2019, she won an Oscar, along with the other songwriters, for ‘Shallow’ from the film *A Star Is Born*.
