by Beyond the Meat Dress: Unveiling Lady Gaga’s Lesser-Known Sides
Lady Gaga is one of the most famous pop stars in the world. Known for her flamboyant costumes, catchy dance hits, and theatrical music videos, Gaga is a true icon of pop culture. However, there is far more to Stefani Germanotta, the woman behind Lady Gaga, than her outrageous public persona may suggest. While Gaga’s flamboyant fashion and boundary-pushing artistry are certainly attention-grabbing, she possesses a multitude of talents, passions, and accomplishments that exist beyond the realm of spectacle. In this article, we will delve deeper into some of Lady Gaga’s lesser-known sides to gain a more well-rounded understanding of who she is as an artist and as a person.
The Classically Trained Musician
Before she embraced her inner pop diva and shocked the world with her outrageous style, Lady Gaga cultivated a foundation in classical piano from a very young age. Born in 1986 in New York City, Gaga showed an early affinity for music and began playing the piano at just four years old. She studied classical piano at the prestigious Juilliard School’s pre-college division and was composing her own music by the time she reached her early teens. At 13 years old, Gaga had already written what she describes as her first “piano ballad.” This formative musical training had a profound influence on Gaga’s artistry and is evident not only in her vocal prowess but also in her skillful songwriting. Beneath the surface of her radio-friendly pop tunes lies a sophistication that stems from her roots in classical composition and theory. While Gaga’s pop persona may seem antithetical to the discipline of classical music, her formative training in that domain laid the groundwork for her to become the remarkably talented, vocally dexterous performer she is today.
The Activist
Beyond making chart-topping hits, Lady Gaga is a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and mental health awareness. In 2012, she co-founded the Born This Way Foundation with her mother, Cynthia Germanotta. Focusing on issues like self-confidence, well-being, and kindness, particularly among youth, the foundation strives “to make the world a little braver.” Gaga has been a vocal ally of the LGBTQ+ community since the beginning of her career and has used her platform to speak out against discrimination and advocate for equality. She marched with protestors at the 2016 New York City Pride parade and has openly supported same-sex marriage. In addition to her philanthropic work with the Born This Way Foundation, Gaga has partnered with organizations like the Elton John AIDS Foundation to raise money and awareness for important causes. Her commitment to social activism demonstrates that beneath her flamboyant pop star persona lies a conscientious individual dedicated to empowering and uplifting marginalized groups.
The Thespian
While Lady Gaga is best known for her accomplishments in the music industry, her talents extend far beyond singing and songwriting. She has proven herself a capable actress through roles in television and film. In 2015, Gaga starred as The Countess in the fourth season of the anthology series American Horror Story, titled “Hotel.” Her seductive and unhinged portrayal of the vampire brothel owner received widespread critical acclaim, earning her a Golden Globe award for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film. This marked her first Golden Globe win and demonstrated her acting chops to the world. She further cemented her acting abilities in 2018 with her starring role in the acclaimed musical drama A Star Is Born, opposite Bradley Cooper. Gaga earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her nuanced portrayal of rising singer Ally. While music will likely remain her primary artistic medium, Gaga has shown that she is a multi-hyphenate talent capable of compelling performances on screen as well as on stage. Her roles in American Horror Story and A Star Is Born revealed hidden acting depths beneath her larger-than-life pop star image.
The Entrepreneur
In addition to her talents as a musician and actress, Lady Gaga is a savvy businesswoman who understands how to leverage her brand and maximize her earning potential. In September 2019, Gaga launched her own beauty line called Haus Laboratories. Marketed as an “artistry brand” focused on self-expression, the line includes lipsticks, liners, and multi-use color products. Within just five hours of pre-orders going live on Amazon, Haus Laboratories became one of the top beauty brands on the site. Gaga owns the brand herself and serves as its Chief Executive Creative Officer, demonstrating her entrepreneurial acumen. She also owns a production company called Haus of Gaga, through which she manages both her music and other creative projects. In addition, Gaga’s Las Vegas residency show “Enigma” at the Park MGM, which began in 2018, has been a huge commercial success, pulling in over $100 million to date. Her business savvy has enabled her to maintain control over her artistic output while also achieving financial success on her own terms. Beneath the surface of her pop persona lies a shrewd self-made businesswoman.
The Philanthropist
While Lady Gaga’s on-stage antics and extreme fashion may lead some to view her as attention-seeking, she demonstrates time and again that her kindness extends far beyond performative gestures. Gaga frequently makes surprise hospital visits to bring cheer to pediatric patients. She has visited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, and others to spend time with ill children, who light up at the sight of their pop idol. Gaga also supports various charitable foundations through donations and fundraising efforts. After visiting with victims of natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy and the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, she donated $1 million to relief efforts in both cases. Her dedicated philanthropic work and selfless hospital visits reveal the caring soul beneath her bold outer persona. For Gaga, giving back seems to give her as much joy as her lavish performances. She understands the power of using her celebrity for good and brightening the lives of those most in need.
These glimpses into Lady Gaga’s lesser-known sides show that beneath the wigs, bodysuits, and avant-garde costumes lies a remarkably talented and multifaceted woman. While her bombastic pop star image will likely remain her brand and calling card, Gaga possesses a depth of skills, passions, and accomplishments that extend far beyond the realm of spectacle. She is a classically trained musician, a passionate activist and advocate, a skilled actress, a savvy businesswoman, and a genuinely kind philanthropist. Gaga proves that an artist can still surprise and reveal new layers of complexity, even after achieving global fame. There is always more to uncover about the complex individual behind the outlandish persona of Lady Gaga. Her continued evolution as both an artist and a public figure promises to unveil still more new sides to this singular pop culture icon.
