Gaga Media
Lady Gaga recently talked with El País about A Star is Born, her future, her career and mental health. Read the interview below!
The interview was translated.
When did you feel you were a star for the first time?
The first time was when I lived in Lower Manhattan as part of a subculture of artists and friends who always talked about art. I felt like a star, though it was not. But the real moment was when I looked into my fans’ eyes and found myself reflected.
Will the rumours of an Oscar next year be a dream come true?
As a child, I dreamed of being an actress, so I was born a star, it’s not a step in my career anymore. It has nothing to do with ‘I’ve done television and now I make movies’, which I’ve read so many times. I have nothing to prove. When the talent has been developing for so long, the result is an explosion. And this is just another beginning.
Where is the new Lady Gaga pointing?
First of all, my Las Vegas residence, where I want to reinvent the idea of a show in that city. I want to give it my all. I can not tell you anything about my next album, because I want it to be a surprise. But of my other dreams, the most important thing is to be a mother. Have a family. Of course, I’ll do more movies and music, but I’m not obsessed with my career.
Those who are obsessed with you are your fans. Especially in the transsexual community. Is imitation a form of worship?
I do not care about the prizes. I do not believe there is a greater honor in my career than being imitated by a drag queen. I would not be here if it were not for my transsexual friends.
How was your first meeting with Bradley Cooper? He says he has not thought of any other actress for the role.
We met at my home in California, and from the first moment the connection was palpable. We’re both from the east coast of the United States. We both had Italian blood, and before long we were eating leftovers of pasta that I had at home. In the musical part, we had no problem. You have an incredible voice. The hardest thing was to get me into Ally’s skin, to return to her innocence, and forget about any ambition to be her.
Have you ever felt rejected by your physique?
They suggested a rhinoplasty before my first video, before my first single came out, and I said no. I have always been faithful to who I am. I like to say what I have to say, not what others think. And I’m telling you, I’m not done yet.
Can you give an example of what you have to say?
Being famous does not mean that you are not human, and sometimes you do not need a hug. With fame, you belong to the world and you lose a freedom that can affect your mental health. Besides, everyone blames you, they say you searched for it because you wanted to be a star. I do not believe this. How can I explain that wanting to sing and be an actress is something I’ve had inside me since I was a girl?
You talked about resuming innocence. Have you reconsidered the importance or need to be an ambitious woman?
My beginning was one of continual rejection, and ambition was the oxygen that kept the flame burning. Without her, I would not be where I am. Having that firmness brought wonderful aspects to my career. And others less. My challenge today is to be able to help as many people as possible. Beginning with the Born This Way Foundation, which fights against bullying in the networks and empowers young people to be who they want to be.
This article originally appeared on El País.
