Lady Gaga's Battle: A Star's Descent and Rise
It's hard to imagine, but even global superstars like Lady Gaga face incredibly difficult personal battles. In a raw and candid interview, Gaga revealed a harrowing experience: a psychotic break that occurred after filming the hit movie 'A Star is Born.'
This revelation, shared in a recent Rolling Stone interview, offers a rare glimpse into the singer's struggles. She bravely discussed her use of lithium, a medication used to manage and prevent episodes of mania, during the filming of the Oscar-nominated film.
The Turning Point: The 'Joanne' Tour and the Break
But here's where it gets controversial... or at least, deeply personal. The pressures of fame, combined with the emotional intensity of her role, led to a crisis. Following the completion of filming, Gaga embarked on her 'Joanne' world tour. It was during this time that she experienced what she describes as a psychotic break. She recounts a moment when her sister poignantly told her, "I don’t see my sister anymore." This led to the cancellation of the tour and a period of psychiatric care.
Gaga shared, "There was one day I went to the hospital for psychiatric care. I needed to take a break. I couldn’t do anything I completely crashed. It was really scary. There was a time where I didn’t think I could get better. I feel really lucky to be alive. I know that might sound dramatic, but we know how this can go.”
The Perfect Storm: A Whirlwind of Success and Stress
And this is the part most people miss... This period was one of the busiest in Lady Gaga's career. She was not only starring in 'A Star is Born' alongside Bradley Cooper, which earned her two Oscar nominations, but she also headlined the Super Bowl Halftime Show and released her 'Joanne' album. Add to that a relentless press tour, including the Oscars in February 2019, where she won for best original song, and it's easy to see how the pressure could become overwhelming.
Finding Healing and New Beginnings
Time and healing have passed, and Gaga has found love with her fiancé, Michael Polansky. She is now a "healthy, whole person." She credits her relationship with Polansky, whom she began dating in 2020, for making a "very big difference."
'Joker: Folie a Deux' and Artistic Rebellion
Following her recovery, Gaga took on the role in 'Joker: Folie a Deux,' the sequel to the Oscar-winning 'Joker.' While the 2024 film didn't meet expectations, Gaga channeled the negativity surrounding the project into her art. She says, “I was feeling artistically rebellious at the time.”
She poured her energy into the music video for "Disease," the first single from her new album, "Mayhem." She explained, "I put so much of that energy into that video. I was in that place, you know, I was like, ‘I’ll show you who I am, and I’ll show you what this fight is like.’”
A Resilient Comeback
Now, as the 2026 Grammys approach, Gaga is the second-most-nominated artist with seven nods. "Mayhem" is nominated for album of the year, and the hit single "Abracadabra" is up for record and song of the year.
Final Thoughts
What do you think about Lady Gaga's openness about her mental health struggles? Do you believe the pressures of fame can significantly impact an artist's well-being? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
