Are you Goo-goo for Gaga?

“I never thought I’d be asking Cher to hold my meat purse,” stated singer Lady Gaga while accepting the “Video of the Year” Award from Cher at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. The purse completed a surprising outfit of meaty high heels and a dress made entirely of slabs of raw meat.

Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, better known as the catchier name Lady Gaga, is known for hit singles such as “Poker Face” and “Just Dance” which both topped the Billboard Hot 100.
Lady Gaga has changed her style much throughout her career including changing her hair color from brown to blonde after being constantly mistaken for Amy Winehouse. Her early style was described as “a refugee from Jersey Shore” with “big black hair, heavy eye makeup and tight, revealing clothes.”

She finally settled on being as over-the-top and off-the-wall as possible. In fact, the singer/songwriter might be known more for her “notice-me” outfits than her music. Jared F., a Creekview junior, commented, “She does whatever she wants and doesn’t care what people think. I respect that.”

It was hard to ignore Gaga onstage live at the VMA’s in her outfit of meat, but this was not her only exposure of her unconventional fashion sense. She has also been seen in a red lace dress and face mask combination after an onstage performance in which Gaga was covered in fake blood. Other outfits include a dress of strategically placed bubbles and a dress of many Kermit the Frog puppets. The artist explains that she tries to blend pop music, performance art, and fashion, saying, “When I’m writing music, I’m thinking about the clothes I want to wear on stage. It’s all about everything altogether…”

Influenced by legends such as Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, and David Bowie, Gaga’s music reflects 80’s pop style with her own flair. Gaga has been compared to artists like Madonna, Gwen Stefani, and Christina Aguilera but is looking to create her own musical revolution.
Lady Gaga is all about catchy dance tunes with provocative lyrics and despite her controversial style, America seems to be on her side. Her first album, The Fame, reached number two on the Billboard 200 Chart in the US, earning Gaga six Grammy nominations and winning two awards: Best Electronic/Dance Album and Best Dance Recording. In June 2010, Forbes magazine listed Gaga fourth of 100 Most Powerful and Influential Celebrities in the World, second Most Powerful Musician in the World, and she was ranked number seven on Forbes’ annual list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women.

Gaga is no stranger to the stage. After learning piano by ear at age four, she was writing songs and performing at open mic nights by 14. The teenager’s talent even earned her early entrance to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts at 17. Later on, she climbed to the top of the charts the old-fashioned way by gaining admirers playing in New York City’s Lower East Side rock music scene.

Gaga now has a large fan base, having sold over 15 million albums and 51 million singles. Gaga endearingly calls her fans “Little Monsters” and even showed her appreciation by getting a tattoo of these words. Claiming she wanted to write a pop song that rockers could also enjoy, she even brings a little rock flavor in her song “Boys Boys Boys”, a female version of Mötley Crüe’s “Girls Girls Girls” mashed with AC/DC’s “T.N.T.”

Lady Gaga is everywhere. Her style is controversial and keeps everyone wondering what she will do next. So, are you goo-goo for Gaga?

Written by: Gwen Kirby