Fame changes everything. And even though Lady Gaga appears to be riding the fame wave her own way and on her terms, the wear and tear of pleasing millions and millions of people around the world is beginning to show.
Shedding her usual outrageously decorated headpieces and accessories, Lady Gaga wore pin-curled hair and a minimalist, all-black ensemble reminiscent of Madonna's "True Blue" era for an in-depth interview with SHOWstudio.com, a fashion web site based in London. This interview was unique in that it was crowd-sourced, featuring questions entirely from fans, both famous and non-famous. Below are some of the quotables and highlights from her interview. SOURCE: ONTD
On feminism
Alexander Fury: Your looks are so extreme. Is this a reaction to something? Are you questioning or altering the status quo of women's rights?
Lady Gaga: Yes. Yes, I am. I am a feminist. I reject wholeheartedly the way we are taught to perceive women. The beauty of women, how a woman should act or behave. Women are strong and fragile. Women are beautiful and ugly. We are soft-spoken and loud. All at once. There is something mind-controlling about the way we're taught to view women and my work, both visually and musically, is a rejection of all those things. But more importantly, a quest. It's exciting because all of the avant-garde clothing and the lyric and the musical style which at a certain time considered weird, or odd, unattractive, uncomfortable, shocking...it's now trendy. Perhaps we can make women's rights trendy. Make women's rights, feminism, strength, security, the wisdom of the woman, let' make that trendy.
On Madonna and forming friendships with other music vets
Alexander Fury: Warhol is such a big influence in your work, and Madonna is as well. How is it having a personal relationship with her now?
Lady Gaga: Madonna is a wonderful, wonderful person. She is so full of the most wonderful freedom and spirit, and is so kind. Working with her has always been very exciting and very fun. We have shared some wonderful honest moments together. She comes to my shows, I've asked her questions, she give me advice. It's been my experience in the industry that I've connected on a much deeper level with the more iconic and legendary people that I have admired, and not with any of my contemporaries. The one things the legends all; have in common are that they are the nicest human beings I have ever met. As a segue-way from knowing, and meeting and loving Madonna it has allowed me to meet amazing, wonderful iconic people. By meeting these people, I have discovered myself. My freedom. My security. Myself.
On whether Lady Gaga is a character or not
Alexander Fury: What do you think is the biggest misconception about you?
Lady Gaga: That I'm a character. Or that Gaga is separate from Stefani. We are one and the same, there is no difference. I am exactly who I say I am, and I am exactly who you say I am.
On Beyonce and her contemporary peers
Alexander Fury: What is your attitude towards collaboration with peers in the pop music scene? Is it an idea which scares, excites, or even interests you?
Lady Gaga: At this very moment, I really don't want to do any collaborations, especially contemporary ones because I want to really stand on my own two feet. This new album is my moment to create what will later be perceived in 20 years as my iconic moment. That's what you should always aim at. Today, collaborations are about appealing to a wider market and gaining radio plays and album sales, above artistic integrity.
The only reason I did that collaboration with Beyonce, is because I genuinely love her and I genuinely wanted to collaborate with her. There's no other reason to collaborate with someone. She is a real good person, Beyonce. I would say she is my favorite contemporary person in pop music. She is my favorite. She is a lovely, lovely person and she is so kind. I don't know how anyone could ever say one bad thing about her, to be honest.
Alexander Fury: Name one song when it comes on the radio you sing along to, but you are embarrassed that you like it, so nobody knows?
Lady Gaga:That Taylor Swift song - 'You Belong To Me' - I sing it so loud, and I'm so embarrassed! Because I sing it so loud. But it's a great song!
On who inspired Gaga
Alexander Fury: Did you miss having a 'Lady Gaga' in the 90s, while you were a teenager, to be a fan of and to identify with?
Lady Gaga: No. I suppose I didn't know what a Lady Gaga was. I always knew it was my destiny to be an entertainer, but I was ready to be the new thing. I admired the women I grew up watching, the pop stars - Britney, Christina, Madonna, Blondie and Patti Smith. And Linda Perry, and 4 Non Blondes. I could go on and on. Around when I was 13 I started to listen to older music, like Zepplin, Queen, Pink Floyd. I was much more obsessed with male rock stars - Bowie in particular.
The full interview can be viewed here. Gaga touched on several questions about her legacy and her perception of herself as a celebrity. And for those who've been engaged in the Christina Aguilera vs. Lady Gaga wars, she admitted that she grew up admiring the singer. Her new album is also, according to her, "pretty much finished," which means there will be no break from the spotlight for the pop starlet in the near future.
Though the screen captures from the interview show Gaga looking especially worn, she fares a little better in the video. Admittedly, she talks about being stressed out about her Grandfather's ailment and wanting to be home with her family, but at the same time, not wanting to disappoint her "little monsters" who've purchased tickets to see her perform. So perhaps the bags under her eyes and distraught look on her face can be attributed solely to her worrying about a sick relative.
Even though her critics may blast her as nothing more than a gimmicky, flash in the pan, Madonna wannabe, there's no denying Gaga's commitment to her fans. It appears that there's little, if anything, she wouldn't sacrifice to please and the feed the ever-expanding troops of little monsters.
