September 19

Authentic Lady Gaga

Authentic Lady Gaga

By Deborah Johnson

September 19, 2018

creativity, Fear, mindsets, persistence, positive self talk

A Star is Born

Lady Gaga is the new star of this year’s  A Star is Born. In many ways, the character Ally replicates Gaga's own life. Stripped from her makeup, costumes and stage persona, she reverted back to just Stefani Germanotta. She wanted to play the part previously played by Janet Gaynor, Judy Garland and Barbara Streisand before her, but she had to completely let go and trust the director, Bradley Cooper, in order to get it.

With the camera zooming in to capture Lady Gaga only wearing chapstick and eight-hour cream, she became the vulnerable girl who was told by music producers that she had the right sound, but not the right look. In the movie, she plays the character Ally who has given up on herself, overwhelmed by the odds. In real life, Lady Gaga overcame those odds by hitting the concrete running. She believed in herself so strongly that she wasn’t going to stop until she made it.

Table For One-Stuck

I'm So Insecure

However, making it doesn’t make one feel beautiful or secure. When the character Ally speaks how ugly she feels in the movie, it was the real, authentic Lady Gaga saying those lines. I’m so insecure, she says. I like to preach, but I don’t always practice what I preach. Surrounded by wealth, a $23 million, 6-acre estate with a two-lane bowling alley, dressing ring and safe room doesn’t make one feel beautiful or secure.

There is a certain loneliness to being a performer. Even with other performers joining one on a stage, the responsibility and weight is carried by the headliner. It’s very similar to being the CEO of a corporation or business. No matter how large the company is, it can still be very lonely at the top, sitting at a table for one as written about in Stuck is Not a Four-Letter Word. (pg. 171)

What Makes Gaga Feel Beautiful?

So what makes Lady Gaga feel beautiful? I loved her response to this question. I think what makes me feel beautiful is when I see happiness in my fans. I understand this statement so well. When something is said, played or sung that touches an audience member, all the work and sweat pays off.

According to Gaga, When I see or hear from them that the music that I’ve made has changed their life in some way, that’s what makes me feel beautiful. Everyone makes music in their own way. It may be a coaching program, a product, or yes, even a song. 

Hollywood Star-Michael Jackson

Here are three steps to take away from Lady Gaga and A Star is Born

Step one: Don’t be afraid to be you. You are your own person, with gifts and abilities uniquely yours.

Step two: Don’t give up. If you don’t have the inner strength to keep your dream alive, find a trusted coach or mentor to help you.

Step three: Give generously. What is given away never comes back void. There is such joy, purpose and fulfillment to be found in this step.

Lady Gaga grew up as the little girl Stefani who in her world of imagination accepted a fake Oscar on a crate in front of her television. Who knows what A Star is Born will do for her at this point in her career. However, we do see a little more of the authentic Gaga who overcame her own insecurities and obstacles to be the mega star she is today.

Amy Kaufman, “Lady Gaga Learns to Let Go,” Los Angeles Times, (Sept. 2, 2018), E6

Deborah Johnson

About the author

Deborah Johnson, M.A. has not only written multiple books and albums, but hundreds of songs, three full-length musicals and is the producer of the popular podcast, Women at Halftime. She was past president of the National Speakers Association, Los Angeles and has written & produced multiple online courses. She enjoys being outside and traveling with her husband and also loves spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Up for multiple GRAMMY Awards and spending over 20 years in the entertainment industry, she's built multiple self-driven businesses and is an expert on how to constantly reinvent yourself in a gig-economy. Deborah speaks and performs for both live and virtual events.

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