Paula Johanson - Lady Gaga

A Biography

Paula Johanson

Copyright 2012 by ABC-CLIO, LLC

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Johanson, Paula.

Lady Gaga : a biography / Paula Johanson.

p. cm. (Greenwood biographies)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-4408-0109-9 (hardcopy : alk. paper) ISBN 978-1-4408-0110-5 (ebook) 1. Lady Gaga. 2. SingersUnited StatesBiography. I. Title.

ML420.L185J64 2012

782.42164092dc23 2011043427

ISBN: 978-1-4408-0109-9
EISBN: 978-1-4408-0110-5

16 15 14 13 12 1 2 3 4 5

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This book is printed on acid-free paper

Manufactured in the United States of America

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In response to school and library needs, ABC-CLIO publishes this distinguished series of full-length biographies specifically for student use. Prepared by field experts and professionals, these engaging biographies are tailored for students who need challenging yet accessible biographies. Ideal for school assignments and student research, the length, format, and subject areas are designed to meet educators requirements and students interests.

ABC-CLIO offers an extensive selection of biographies spanning all curriculum-related subject areas including social studies, the sciences, literature and the arts, history and politics, and popular culture, covering public figures and famous personalities from all time periods and backgrounds, both historic and contemporary, who have made an impact on American and/or world culture. The subjects of these biographies were chosen based on comprehensive feedback from librarians and educators. Consideration was given to both curriculum relevance and inherent interest. Readers will find a wide array of subject choices from fascinating entertainers like Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga to inspiring leaders like John F. Kennedy and Nelson Mandela, from the greatest athletes of our time like Michael Jordan and Lance Armstrong to the most amazing success stories of our day like J. K. Rowling and Oprah.

While the emphasis is on fact, not glorification, the books are meant to be fun to read. Each volume provides in-depth information about the subjects life from birth through childhood, the teen years, and adulthood. A thorough account relates family background and education, traces personal and professional influences, and explores struggles, accomplishments, and contributions. A timeline highlights the most significant life events against a historical perspective. Bibliographies supplement the reference value of each volume.

Welcome to Lady Gagapop singing superstar and fashion icon. She writes her own songs, plays in her band, and is a promotional machine. She is a media darling for writers with a deadline, editors with pages to fill, and especially for photographers. There is always something to say about Gaga. Shes always promoting a new release, or speaking at a rally. Theres always some new costume to photograph, or some outrageous or inflammatory comment to quote.

The most trivial of changes in her kaleidoscope of costumes evokes questions. Otherwise sensible journalists have been known to ask Gaga when her hair bow accessory will be back. The hair bow never left. She just goes to sleep sometimes, says a tweeta note that Gaga sent out on Twitter in 2011. Shes very serious and methodic about her reinventions.

Gaga is serious and methodical herself about her own reinventions. Among all the studied oddities in her repertoire, Gaga has played at more than one piano elevated several feet above the stage. The most recent of these elevated keyboards is based on a sculpture made by Gagas younger sister, now an art student. The sculpture is made of coiled wire in the shape of a high-heeled shoe with the top of the heel some eight feet above the floor. An art piano like that could be isolating for the performer. But when its time to get down, Gaga holds out her hands to the players in her band, and that connection brings her down safely.

Gaga is connected to everybody. Forget about the games Six Degrees of Separation or Five Degrees of Kevin Bacon, because her connections are direct. In 2011, Gaga told shock radio host Howard Stern that her first piano teacher was also a stripper. Stern was fascinated to learn that the woman had danced at Scores, one of his favorite New York clubs. The story got Stern wondering if back in the day, he had ever had a lap dance from Gagas piano teacher.

Of all the people to give a testimonial to Gaga, Sir Elton John is an unexpected ally. They became friends when they performed together at the Grammy Awards in 2010. What I like about Gaga the most is that shes amazingly polite and respectful to everyone around her.... But the greatest thing about her is that she manages to let everyone think they know everything about her but no one knows anything, said Sir Elton. When the animated feature film Gnomeo and Juliet needed a duet, Elton John and Gaga recorded a song together. Their friendship has continued. Shes a phenomenal stardefinitely someone who will be taking on the old sods like me, McCartney and Rod Stewart doing big tours for years to come. Pure genius. He has considerable admiration for her marketing and promotion skills, as well as her performing talent.

Even Oprah Winfrey has come to love Gaga. I fell in love with Lady Gaga during a moment on my show when someone stood up and said, Thank you for being who you are because you being who you are has made me proud to be myself, Oprah told a writer for Vogue magazine. Listen: I teared up over that. And so did she. It gave me goose bumps. When you being who you are makes somebody else proud to be his or herself? I dont think you can do any better than that. Shes not just eccentric. She makes a lot of people accept their own differencesand other peoples. Its real for her.

Everyone has something to say about Lady Gaga. The controversial documentary maker Michael Moore wrote on his website in 2009 that he didnt know this Lady Gaga, but he found her performance on