by Lady Gaga is one of the biggest pop stars in the world, known for her over-the-top fashion, chart-topping dance hits, and powerful voice. But there’s so much more to Gaga than just her music and stage persona. When she’s not touring or in the studio, Gaga has a wide range of interests and hobbies that she pursues with the same passion and dedication as her art.
Family & Friends
First and foremost, Lady Gaga cherishes time spent with her family and closest friends. She has a very tight bond with her parents, Joe and Cynthia, as well as her sister Natali. Gaga credits her family for always supporting her dreams and for keeping her grounded. Even at the height of her fame, she makes an effort to spend quality time with them, whether it’s having dinner together, taking a family vacation, or just talking on the phone.
Gaga also has a circle of close friends both in and out of the entertainment industry that she’s kept since before she was famous. These are the people she turns to for advice, laughs with, and feels she can be herself around. She often praises her friends for their loyalty and for treating her the same even after she became a celebrity. It’s clear that for Gaga, her family and friendships are a top priority.
Cooking & Entertaining
Believe it or not, Lady Gaga loves to cook! She has said that cooking and entertaining guests is a creative outlet for her outside of music. Gaga especially enjoys making Italian food like pasta, pizza, and seafood dishes as a nod to her family’s heritage. She likes trying out new recipes and experimenting in the kitchen to come up with her own twists.
Of course, Gaga always cooks with flair – she’s been known to wear a meat dress while preparing meatballs! When she hosts dinner parties at her house, Gaga goes all out. She sets a gorgeous tablescape, decorates with beautiful flowers, and creates a relaxed, fun atmosphere. Cooking brings out Gaga’s domestic side and allows her to take care of and nourish the people she cares about.
Fashion & Beauty
It’s obvious that Lady Gaga has a bold, unique sense of style. What most people don’t know is that she’s been a fashion junkie since she was a young girl experimenting with makeup and clothing. She studied fashion in school and remains fascinated by the history, symbolism, and transformative power of garments.
Even when she’s not performing, Gaga loves browsing vintage shops and up-and-coming designer boutiques to discover one-of-a-kind pieces. She’s a big fan of Alexander McQueen, Christian Siriano, and Gianni Versace, often wearing their glam creations in her everyday life. Gaga also studies the hair, makeup and fashion of iconic women like Grace Jones, David Bowie, and Cher. For her, fashion is another form of art and self-expression.
Of course, Lady Gaga is famous for her outrageous beauty looks – from the massive bow dress to the meat dress to hair bows aplenty. She comes up with many of her wildest styles herself and works closely with her glam squad of stylists and makeup artists to bring her vision to life. Even when she’s going for a more natural look, Gaga clearly has fun with beauty – like the time she matched her hair & lipstick to a gown perfectly.
Yoga & Fitness
To handle the vocal and physical demands of her performances and world tours, Lady Gaga is an avid exerciser. She credits yoga, Pilates, and dance for keeping her in shape mentally and physically. Gaga has been doing yoga since she was a teenager and finds it calming and energizing. She works yoga into her schedule regularly, whether she’s on the road or at home in L.A.
Gaga also swears by high-intensity Pilates workouts at Studio Metamorphosis to build core strength and tone her muscles. And she loves to dance – anything from jazz to ballet – for cardio. Gaga has said movement keeps her grounded and focused. She even has a dance studio in her home so she can get her sweat on whenever she wants! Fans love seeing glimpses of Gaga’s fitness routines on Instagram because she clearly has such joy and passion for physical activity.
Songwriting & Playing Instruments
It’s obvious Gaga has major talent as a singer and performer. But she’s also an accomplished songwriter and instrumentalist – skills that aren’t as widely known. Gaga has written or co-written nearly all of her hit songs. She excels at writing catchy pop melodies and meaningful lyrics that tell a story. Gaga says songwriting is like therapy for her – a way to express herself creatively.
In addition to singing, Gaga can play piano, which she studied classically growing up. She also taught herself guitar and spends time practicing both instruments when working on new songs. Gaga hopes to someday transition into a singer-songwriter focused more on the craft of songwriting itself. She admires artists like Carole King and Bob Dylan who are mainly known for their musicality. For Gaga, writing songs will always be a core passion.
Art & Photography
What many Little Monsters don’t know is that Lady Gaga attended New York University’s renowned art school. She’s passionate about avant-garde modern art and pop art, like Andy Warhol’s work. Gaga incorporates artistic references and techniques in her music videos and stage productions. She also creates legitimate art pieces – from large paintings to conceptual sculptures – as a creative outlet.
Gaga is an advocate for building a more compassionate, equitable world through art. In 2013, she and renowned contemporary artist Marina Abramović worked together on a Kickstarter campaign for the Marina Abramović Institute to make immersive performance art more accessible. Gaga also enjoys photography, usually shooting artsy nature scenes and self-portraits when she travels. Fans love getting a glimpse of her unique perspective through the lens.
Horseback Riding
Ever since she was a little girl, Lady Gaga has loved horses. She began riding horses competitively in high school and still rides whenever she gets the chance. Gaga finds that being around horses and riding calms her – it’s almost a form of meditation. She owns a horse ranch in Malibu that she retreats to for some quiet time with her beloved horses when she needs a break from work.
Gaga has said caring for the horses gives her routine and purpose. She names all of her horses after her favorite artists like Bowie and Amadeus in honor of Mozart. Horseback riding remains a cherished pastime for Gaga through all of her success. She hopes to someday open a nonprofit ranch that uses equine therapy to support at-risk youth. It just shows her passion for horses runs deep.
Activism & Philanthropy
Of course, Lady Gaga is about more than just art and entertainment – she’s also a committed activist and philanthropist. She founded the Born This Way Foundation in 2012 to empower youth and inspire bravery. The foundation has partnered with several organizations to promote mental health support and resources for young people. In 2015, she worked closely with the Elton John AIDS Foundation to raise over $300 million for HIV/AIDS research.
Gaga has been a devoted supporter of the LGBTQ+ community since the start of her career. From speaking at Pride events to protesting Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, she uses her platform to advocate for equal rights. Gaga volunteered during the 2020 election to increase voter turnout in marginalized communities. She performed at President Biden’s inauguration in 2021 as well. Clearly, fostering positive social change is extremely important to Gaga.
Travel & New Experiences
Lady Gaga’s life as an international superstar involves near-constant travel and new experiences. She has toured the world six times over, performing in hundreds of cities. Gaga has given concerts in the U.K., France, Germany, Canada, Japan, Australia – the list goes on and on. She loves exploring different destinations and said travel expands her worldview.
Some of Gaga’s favorite travel experiences include riding camels in Morocco, shopping local markets in Mexico, and taking a scenic drive down Australia’s Gold Coast. She tries to immerse herself in the culture, food, and music wherever she goes. Gaga also travels for fun outside of touring, like ski trips to Switzerland and yacht vacations with friends in the Mediterranean. She values travel as an opportunity for adventure and new perspectives.
Reading & Learning
For someone as creative and curious as Lady Gaga, reading and learning are lifelong passions. Even at the peak of her fame, she makes time for reading in order to grow. Gaga has said she reads a wide range of literature – from Greek mythology to Shakespeare to modern sci-fi novels. Reading exercises her mind and provides endless inspiration.
In addition to reading fiction, Gaga stays up-to-date on news, psychology, art history, and pop culture. She takes continuing education courses at Harvard Business School to challenge herself intellectually. Gaga has taken up meditation and studied eastern philosophers like Rumi to deepen her spirituality. She also researches whatever she’s creatively working on, like studying the history of cabaret for her Jazz & Piano Las Vegas residency. For Gaga, learning is one of life’s greatest joys.
Supporting Other Artists
While Lady Gaga’s own career keeps her enormously busy, she goes out of her way to support emerging artists, especially those from marginalized communities. She vocally promotes artists signed to her Haus Labs record label like duo AmaLou. Gaga empowered Christina Aguilera by recording a duet with her and posting about Aguilera’s talents on social media. She has featured artists including Ariana Grande, Elton John, and Blackpink on her albums.
Gaga also shares career advice with up-and-comers about believing in yourself and dealing with rejection. She posted an inspirational note on Instagram to Billie Eilish calling her “an incredibly talented young woman.” Gaga uplifts artists she admires like Adele and Tony Bennett by fangirling over them in interviews. And she attends shows, private concerts, and theater performances regularly to experience new talent firsthand. Lady Gaga using her status to highlight other artists shows her giving spirit.
Hanging with Dogs & Pet Care
It’s no secret Lady Gaga is a major dog lover and mom to her beloved French bulldogs. She has had dogs most of her life and calls them her “babies.” Gaga is extremely hands-on when it comes to caring for her pups – she picks out their outfits, cooks homemade food, and even takes her dogs with her backstage at concerts.
Fans love seeing her snuggle and play with her pooches at home. She has created social media accounts for her dogs so people can keep up with their daily adventures. Gaga also dotes on her friend’s and family’s dogs like her parents’ dog Charlotte. Rescuing dogs, donating to shelters, and volunteering are very important to her. She even co-founded her own charity called the Born This Way Foundation, which aids rescued animals. For Lady Gaga, affection from her furry friends is the ultimate comfort.
Catching Live Music Performances
Given her musical abilities and fame, it’s natural that Lady Gaga loves attending live concerts and shows. She tries to catch both legendary heritage acts like the Rolling Stones and newer buzzworthy artists in concert whenever she can. Gaga has been spotted rocking out in the audience at shows by James Taylor, U2, Beyonce, and Tony Bennett. She loves the energy of live music and observing how talented musicians connect with crowds.
Gaga also makes an effort to check out up-and-coming local bands at more intimate club venues when she’s touring. She’ll put on a hat and sneak in just to support grassroots music and get inspired. Of course, Gaga goes all-out when she attends events like Broadway shows, cabarets, and theater performances. For her, live entertainment is uplifting and helps her grow as an artist herself. Even as a spectator, Lady Gaga remains passionate about the magic of live music.
NBA Games & Sports
It may surprise some people that Lady Gaga is a huge sports fan, especially when it comes to basketball. She’s a devoted follower of the Los Angeles Lakers and regularly attends their games courtside. Gaga loves the fast-paced energy and competition. She’ll enthusiastically cheer, wave towels, and high-five other fans.
Gaga has become friends with many NBA players like Kobe Bryant, who she said taught her a lot about work ethic and perseverance. She performed at the 2016 Super Bowl and sang the national anthem at the game when her close friend Tony Bennett’s team the San Francisco 49ers played. Gaga also enjoys playing pickup basketball herself and has been spotted playing baseball too. For her, sports are a great escape and way to connect with people.
Volunteering & Community Service
Although Lady Gaga has reached massive pop stardom, she remains dedicated to hands-on community service and volunteering. She has served meals at homeless shelters, volunteered at animal rescues, and visited sick children in hospitals. Gaga often shows up unannounced to support causes she believes in. For example, she secretly visited a domestic violence shelter to help sort donations and raise awareness.
Gaga believes we all have a responsibility to help others in need. She often encourages her fans to donate their time or money to charity too. Recently, Gaga volunteered as part of Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign by phone banking and distributing food. She cherishes opportunities to connect with people and make a tangible difference. Despite her immense fame, Gaga stays grounded through volunteering.
Conclusion
Lady Gaga is the epitome of a multi-hyphenate – chart topping singer, avant-garde artist, philanthropist, activist, and powerhouse performer. But she’s also a normal woman with a diverse range of interests, hobbies, and passions outside of music. From cooking Italian cuisine to riding horses to cheering on the Lakers, Gaga embraces life with curiosity and joy. She never stops learning and credits her varied pursuits with helping her stay creative.
Most of all, Lady Gaga prioritizes family, friendships, giving back, and standing up for positive change. She uses her celebrity as a force for good. For all her flashy fashion and theatricality, Gaga is down-to-earth and remarkably driven. That’s what truly makes her a role model – she stays grounded by nurturing her spirit, challenging her mind, and uplifting others. Gaga inspires us all to live passionately, authentically and, most of all, kindly.
