In a World of Kardashians, Do You Dare to be a Gaga?
Author’s Note: This blog was originally written and published January 2, 2021.
A few months ago, I watched Lady Gaga's documentary on Netflix. It was everything I hoped it would be and more. Her fans, known as "little monsters", have always known the truth and vulnerability that goes into her music. But, this was the first time the world at large saw the truth behind the glitter (myself, somewhat included).
I knew of Gaga's passion for marriage equality (meat dress, anyone?), incredible talent (I mean, the girl studied music at NYU), and dedication to her fans (just watch how she surprises them on a regular basis). Her documentary took all of this to the next level. A level only Gaga could have taken it to.
We saw Gaga fight with heartbreak and power through debilitating physical pain. I, for one, was wildly impressed with the freedom she gave the film's director to portray her life how he saw fit. In an Instagram post, Gaga revealed she didn't pre-screen the documentary. She watched it alongside fans at the Toronto Film Festival. That takes guts. To trust someone completely to tell the story of your life for the world to see. I'm impressed.
When today's society is filled with superficiality, what role does vulnerability play? What lessons can we learn from Lady Gaga?
We can learn that everything is not what it seems. Gaga showed us, in an hour and 40 minutes, that fame isn't all it's cracked up to be. That the pressures of being 'everything to everyone' have the potential to crack even the strongest of wills. She gave casual music fans an inside look at the sheer quantity of hours, tears, repetitions, outfit changes it takes to make an album. I think sometimes we envy the other side of the fence, let ourselves get carried away in the "what ifs" of life. Gaga teaches us to embrace our lives as they are, and work to be the best versions of ourselves.
We can learn that there's more to life than work. When her friend, Sonja, calls in the middle of a meeting, Gaga answers. A conversation occurs. Tears fall. A promise is made. We see Gaga celebrate a baptism with her family, laugh joyously with Mark Ronson and Florence Welch. We spend half of our waking hours each day at work, but there's more to life than an eight-to-five. Relationships matter. Family matters. Friends matter. Gaga shows us how you can balance a successful career with those that matter.
We can learn that being open and honest helps us heal. Gaga tells the story of writing and producing her most recent album, Joanne, throughout the documentary. The title track is both a tribute to and memorial for her late aunt, who left life at too young of an age. We see Gaga wrestle with emotions and embrace uncertainty through her art. She talks with friends and family members about what she feels. No, it's not perfect, but it helps. Gaga uses her platform of fame for good. Her social media posts are unedited, raw: reflecting the artist and person she has morphed into over the last nine years. I think if we take the lead from Gaga we'll find our own "little monsters", and might even emerge triumphant.
Thank you, Lady Gaga, for being a breath of fresh air in a world of pollution.