by There are a couple contenders for the most life-changing phone call in Lady Gaga’s career.
After years of hustling in downtown New York City, Gaga was dropped by her record label Def Jam in 2007. Disheartened but determined to continue pursuing her dreams of being a successful recording artist, she went to a showcase performance with her then-boyfriend Luc Carl. A representative from Interscope Records named Troy Carter was in the audience that night and was impressed by Gaga’s unique performance style and vocal talents.
Later, Carter called Gaga with an offer to sign with Interscope. For Gaga, who had been struggling to break through in the music industry, this phone call was nothing short of momentous. After years of hard work and setbacks, a major record label was interested in her. Carter saw her potential to become a global superstar and was willing to take a chance on her. Gaga has said that signing with Interscope and working with Carter was life-changing. “That phone call changed my destiny,” she told Billboard.
While at the Interscope showcase, Gaga was still developing her image and sound. She was known more for her eclectic fashion sense and performances in downtown New York clubs than for her pop music abilities. Carter recognized she had star quality and was willing to invest in helping her refine her artistry. Under Interscope and Carter’s guidance, Gaga began working with top producers to hone in on a commercial pop sound while still maintaining her avant-garde edge. This proved to be the right formula for success.
Another pivotal phone call came earlier in 2007 from Akon, who saw Gaga performing at a burlesque show. Impressed by her raw talent and stage presence, Akon introduced Gaga to music producer RedOne. RedOne would go on to produce and co-write some of Gaga’s biggest hits, including “Just Dance” and “Bad Romance,” which helped launch her into superstardom. Gaga has said meeting RedOne through Akon was “divine intervention” and another career-defining moment.
It’s difficult to say definitively which phone call was more impactful as both played instrumental roles in Gaga’s rise to fame. The call from Carter got the ball rolling by signing her to a major label deal. But without the introduction to RedOne from Akon, she may never have recorded the smash hits that turned her into a global pop phenomenon. Both men saw something special in Gaga before the rest of the world knew her name. They took gambles on an unknown artist and their belief in her potential paid off exponentially.
After signing with Interscope, Gaga worked tirelessly in the studio with RedOne to hone her craft and develop her sound. Her debut single “Just Dance” was an instant success when released in April 2008, topping charts worldwide including number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Its massive popularity was a surprise even to Gaga and her team. “Just Dance” introduced Gaga with a catchy, danceable club song that highlighted her powerful voice and catchy melodies and hooks. It was an auspicious beginning.
Throughout 2008 and 2009, Gaga released a string of inescapable hit singles from her debut album The Fame, including “Poker Face,” “LoveGame,” “Paparazzi,” and “Bad Romance.” Each song further cemented her status as a unique new pop star, pushing creative boundaries with over-the-top music videos and provocative fashion. By mixing pop music with elements of glam rock, electronic, and dance, Gaga created her own genre she called “pop monster music.” Her blend of talents gave her a distinctive style unlike any other artist at the time.
The Fame was a commercial and critical success, selling over 15 million copies worldwide. It won Gaga several awards including Grammys for Best Dance Recording for “Poker Face” and Best Electronic/Dance Album. She had officially shattered into the mainstream and was one of the biggest pop stars on the planet. Gaga used her new platform to spread messages of empowerment, self-acceptance, and individuality to her rapidly growing fanbase, dubbed “Little Monsters.”
Building on the momentum from The Fame, Gaga released her second album The Fame Monster in 2009 featuring the lead singles “Bad Romance,” “Telephone” (featuring Beyoncé), and “Dance in the Dark.” The album continued her commercial dominance and won her two more Grammys. By this point, Gaga was a global icon known for her outrageous fashion, catchy dance-pop anthems, and boundary-pushing music videos. She had become the first artist born in the ’80s to top Forbes Magazine’s list of highest-earning women in music.
In 2011, Gaga released her third studio album Born This Way, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and has sold over one million copies in the U.S. alone. Its title track became her third number one single on the Hot 100. The album consolidated her status as the reigning Queen of Pop with songs celebrating self-empowerment, individuality, and inclusiveness for all people. She toured the album on her iconic Born This Way Ball tour, cementing her status as one of the top touring artists in the world.
Gaga took a brief hiatus after the Born This Way era to focus on acting, making her film debut in 2013’s critically acclaimed American Horror Story: Hotel. She earned a Golden Globe nomination for her role. In 2014, she returned to music with her jazz and Tony Bennett collaboration album Cheek to Cheek, which won the Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. That year she also released her fifth studio album Joanne, named after her late aunt. Its lead single “Perfect Illusion” reached number one on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart.
Throughout her career, Gaga has overcome prejudice and adversity to become one of the most successful entertainers and influential activists of all time. She’s sold over 150 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists. She’s won twelve Grammys, two Golden Globes, a BAFTA, and an Oscar for her original song “Shallow” from A Star Is Born. Beyond her artistic accomplishments, Gaga has been a tireless advocate for LGBTQ rights, mental health awareness, and inclusiveness for all people. She’s visited war zones and refugee camps to bring hope through music.
Looking back, it’s remarkable to think how two pivotal phone calls changed the entire trajectory of Lady Gaga’s life and career. Had Troy Carter or Akon not seen her potential and made those calls, the world may never have known her incredible talents. But they recognized a star in the making and took chances that paid off immensely. Gaga’s talent, drive, and vision took her the rest of the way to superstardom. She proved herself to be one of the defining artists of her generation through her music, activism, and unapologetic celebration of individuality. Those life-changing phone calls set the stage for Gaga to leave her indelible mark on pop culture history.
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