Who Is Lady Gaga, and What Message Does She Speak?

Stefani Germanotta, aka Lady Gaga

“My sense is that most women today often unconsciously long for the kind of life that God wishes to give them.”Rose-Marie Miller, From Fear to Freedom

We have two more blogs on bearing Christ to the world’s women. Today, I’ll share with you what I learned about Lady Gaga by doing a little internet research and listening in to a 60 Minutes Interview.

Her real name is Stefani Germanotta, and she is a self-described master of the art of fame. She openly admits to manipulating people and using her vast array of costumes to create mystique and to deflect attention from her ‘self.’ She is a ‘creation all her own.’ Quote: “I was able to leave a massive amount of insecurities behind me..by leaving that name…”

A good student and classically trained pianist who never felt that she fit in, she sees herself as a woman with a message of good news – an ‘uplifting mantra of self-empowerment and self-acceptance.’ In her newest single (“Born this Way”), she encourages listeners to come out of hiding: “Don’t hide yourself in regret/Just love yourself and you’re set…” (Ironically, in that same song, she uses words for different people groups that are considered racist by those groups…see http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctentertainment/2011/04/lady-gagas-inclusion-problems-1.html for more on that.)

In the 60 Minutes interview, she sat on the steps of her former apartment building and wept, apparently in awe and humility, at where she’s been and where she is now. The interview closes with these words:

“In the end, what Lady Gaga says she cares about most is her music. The clothes and the costumes, even the controversies, are all just a part of her artistry, part of the performance her life has become.” Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/02/10/60minutes/main7337078.shtml#ixzz1QPIsSY18

For Reflection:

1. As you read about Lady Gaga, what similarities do you see between her message and the message of the gospel?
2. What, if anything, do you or people you know, have in common with Lady Gaga?
3. Where do you see the reality of her sin nature expressed? (What idolatry do you see?)
4. What parts of her life do you think would be very hard?
5. With this information, imagine a conversation you might have with a Lady Gaga fan about the gospel.