Lady Gaga facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lady Gaga
Gaga at the inauguration of Joe Biden, 2021
Born	Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (1986-03-28) March 28, 1986 (age 39) New York City, US
Occupation	Singer songwriter actress
Years active	2000–present
Organization	Born This Way Foundation
Works	Discography songs videography performances
Partner(s)	Michael Polansky (2020–present; engaged)
Parent(s)	Cynthia Germanotta (mother)
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	Pop dance electronic jazz rock
Instruments	Vocals piano
Labels	Def Jam Cherrytree KonLive Streamline Interscope
Signature

Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (born March 28, 1986), known all over the world as Lady Gaga, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She is famous for her powerful voice, catchy pop songs, and amazing sense of fashion. Gaga is known for always changing her style and music, which makes her one of the most exciting artists in the world.

She has sold over 124 million records, making her one of the best-selling music artists ever. Lady Gaga is also a talented actress, winning awards for her roles in movies and television. She is a true superstar who uses her fame to spread messages of kindness and being true to yourself.

Life and Career

1986–2004: A Musical Kid in New York City

Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta was born in Manhattan, New York City, on March 28, 1986. Her family has Italian roots. Her parents, Cynthia and Joseph Germanotta, worked hard to provide for her and her younger sister, Natali.

Gaga grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. At age 11, she went to a private all-girls Catholic school. She has described her younger self as "very dedicated, very studious, very disciplined." She sometimes felt like she didn't fit in and was made fun of for being different.

Her love for music started early. She began playing the piano at age four because her mother wanted her to be a "cultured young woman." She learned to play by ear, meaning she could hear a song and then play it without reading sheet music. As a teenager, she performed at open mic nights and starred in school plays. She also studied acting for ten years.

At 17, she got into a music school at New York University (NYU). There, she studied music and wrote essays about art and society. After a little over a year, she decided to leave school to focus all her energy on her music career.

2005–2007: The Start of a Superstar

In 2005, Gaga started a band with friends from NYU called the SGBand. They played shows all around New York City. A music producer named Rob Fusari noticed her talent. He helped her write and develop her songs. Fusari said he was the first person to call her "Lady Gaga." The name was inspired by the song "Radio Ga Ga" by the band Queen.

Gaga was signed to a record label, Def Jam Recordings, but was dropped just three months later. She didn't give up. She started performing in exciting neo-burlesque shows, where she met performance artist Lady Starlight. Together, they created a show called "Lady Gaga and the Starlight Revue."

She mixed pop music with the glam rock style of artists like David Bowie. In 2007, another record executive, Vincent Herbert, signed her to his label. Soon after, the singer Akon heard her sing and was very impressed. He convinced his record label, Interscope Records, to sign her too. This was her big break.

2008–2010: The Fame and Becoming a Global Icon

In 2008, Lady Gaga moved to Los Angeles to finish her first album, The Fame. The album was a huge success. It went to number one in many countries. Its first two singles, "Just Dance" and "Poker Face", became number-one hits all over the world. "Poker Face" was the best-selling single of 2009.

Gaga then released an EP called The Fame Monster. It had more hit songs, including "Bad Romance", "Telephone" (with Beyoncé), and "Alejandro". The music video for "Bad Romance" became the most-watched video on YouTube at the time.

Her first headlining tour, The Fame Ball Tour, was a big success. It was followed by the even bigger The Monster Ball Tour, which traveled the world and earned over $227 million. Gaga became famous not just for her music, but also for her unique and creative fashion.

2011–2014: Exploring New Sounds

In 2011, Gaga released her second full album, Born This Way. The album's message was about loving yourself and being proud of who you are. The title song, "Born This Way", became the fastest-selling song in the history of the iTunes Store. The album sold over a million copies in its first week.

Gaga promoting Born This Way with a performance on Good Morning America in 2011

Next, Gaga released the album Artpop in 2013. It had an electronic and dance sound. The lead single was "Applause". She also hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live and had her own TV special with the Muppets.

In 2014, she surprised everyone by releasing a jazz album called Cheek to Cheek with the legendary singer Tony Bennett. The album showed a different side of her talent and became her third number-one album in a row. They went on a successful tour together.

With the Cheek to Cheek era, Gaga (seen here performing on the Cheek to Cheek Tour alongside Tony Bennett) ushered in an overhaul of her image

2015–2017: Acting and the Super Bowl

Gaga had always wanted to be an actress. In 2015, she got her chance, starring in the TV show American Horror Story: Hotel. Her performance was so good that she won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress.

In February 2016, she sang the US national anthem at Super Bowl 50. Later that year, she released her fifth album, Joanne. The album was named after her late aunt and had a more personal, rock and folk sound. The single "Million Reasons" became a top-five hit.

Gaga performing on the Joanne World Tour in 2017

The biggest moment of this era came in 2017 when she performed at the Super Bowl LI halftime show. Her amazing performance was watched by over 117 million people in the United States. It is considered one of the best halftime shows ever.

2018–2019: A Star Is Born

Gaga at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival prior to the screening of A Star Is Born, which was her first lead role in a film

In 2018, Lady Gaga starred in her first lead movie role in A Star Is Born alongside director and actor Bradley Cooper. She played a struggling singer named Ally. The movie was a huge success, and critics loved her performance.

Gaga also co-wrote the music for the film. The main song, "Shallow", became a number-one hit around the world. For "Shallow," Gaga won an Academy Award (Oscar), a Golden Globe, and two Grammy Awards. This made her the first woman to win all four of these major awards in the same year.

During this time, she also began a popular concert residency in Las Vegas called Lady Gaga Enigma + Jazz & Piano.

2020–2023: Pop, Jazz, and More Movies

In 2020, Gaga returned to her dance-pop roots with the album Chromatica. It became her sixth number-one album in the US. The single "Rain on Me", a duet with Ariana Grande, also went to number one.

Gaga performing on The Chromatica Ball, her first all-stadium concert tour, in 2022

In 2021, she sang the national anthem at the inauguration of Joe Biden. She then released her second album with Tony Bennett, Love for Sale. It was a tribute to the songwriter Cole Porter and won a Grammy Award.

Later that year, she starred in the movie House of Gucci as Patrizia Reggiani. Once again, critics praised her acting, and she earned nominations for many major awards. In 2022, she went on her all-stadium tour, The Chromatica Ball, which was a huge success.

2024–present: Joker, Mayhem, and Continued Success

Gaga with fiancé Michael Polansky (pictured in 2024), who co-wrote songs on Harlequin and Mayhem with her

In 2024, Gaga starred as Harley Quinn in the musical movie Joker: Folie à Deux. She also released a companion album called Harlequin. That August, she released the song "Die with a Smile" with Bruno Mars. The song was a massive global hit, reaching number one in the U.S. and many other countries.

Her pop album Mayhem was released in March 2025 to great reviews and debuted at number one in the US. The album included hit singles like "Disease" and "Abracadabra". She supported the album with a series of special concerts, including a free show in Rio de Janeiro that was attended by over 2.5 million people.

Gaga also announced her next world tour, The Mayhem Ball, and a role in the second season of the Netflix show Wednesday.

Artistry and Influence

Who Inspired Lady Gaga?

Musicians such as Madonna and David Bowie have influenced Gaga.

Gaga's musical heroes include pop stars like Madonna and Michael Jackson, and glam rock artists like David Bowie and Queen. She also loves artists like Elton John and Whitney Houston. She has said that she wants to change pop music in the same way Madonna did.

Fashion is also a huge part of her art. She was inspired by her mother's sense of style. She is known for her wild and creative outfits, like the famous armadillo shoes designed by Alexander McQueen. She calls fashion designer Donatella Versace her muse.

Musical Style and Creative Process

Lady Gaga is known for mixing many types of music. She often combines pop and dance music with rock, electronic, and even jazz. Her voice is a powerful contralto, and she can sing in many different styles.

Her songs cover many themes, like fame, love, identity, and freedom. The Fame was about wanting to be a star. Born This Way was about self-acceptance and being yourself. Joanne was a more personal album about her family. With Chromatica, she returned to dance-pop and wrote about her personal struggles in an uplifting way.

Music Videos and Live Shows

Gaga as her male alter ego Jo Calderone in 2011

Gaga's music videos are like short movies. They are known for their amazing costumes, choreography, and storytelling. The video for "Telephone" is over nine minutes long!

Her live performances are just as spectacular. She is a perfectionist who puts on incredible shows with elaborate sets, costumes, and dancing. Her concerts, like The Monster Ball Tour and The Chromatica Ball, are famous for being highly entertaining and creative. She sometimes even performs as her male alter ego, Jo Calderone.

Activism and Charity Work

Helping Others

Lady Gaga uses her fame to help people and support causes she believes in. After the 2010 Haiti earthquake, she donated $500,000 from one of her concerts to help with relief efforts. After the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan, she designed a special bracelet and raised $1.5 million for the victims.

She has also worked to raise money and awareness for HIV and AIDS research. In 2020, she organized a special TV concert called One World: Together at Home. It raised $127 million for the World Health Organization to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

Born This Way Foundation

Gaga during an event for the Born This Way Foundation in Europe, 2013

In 2012, Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, started the Born This Way Foundation. The foundation's goal is to support the wellness of young people and create a kinder, braver world. It focuses on youth empowerment and provides resources for mental health.

One of its projects was the "Born Brave Bus," which followed her on tour. It was a safe space where young fans could go to get support and learn about local resources. The foundation works to fight bullying and encourages everyone to be kind to one another.

Legacy

Lady Gaga has had a huge impact on music, fashion, and culture. Rolling Stone magazine once called her the "Queen of Pop." She is credited with helping to make synth-pop music popular again in the late 2000s.

Many artists, including Miley Cyrus, Halsey, and Cardi B, have said that Gaga inspired them. Her fans, whom she calls her "Little Monsters," are known for being very dedicated.

Her influence is so great that some universities have offered courses about her. A professor at the University of South Carolina started a class called "Lady Gaga and the Sociology of the Fame."

In a fun tribute, scientists have named a genus of ferns Gaga in her honor. They also named a species of fern Gaga monstraparva, which is a nod to her "Little Monsters."

Achievements

Lady Gaga has won many awards throughout her career. These include:

• 14 Grammy Awards
• An Academy Award (Oscar)
• 2 Golden Globe Awards
• A BAFTA Award
• 18 MTV Video Music Awards

She is one of the world's best-selling music artists. She is the only female artist to have four different singles sell more than 10 million copies each worldwide. These songs are "Just Dance," "Poker Face," "Bad Romance," and "Shallow."

Forbes magazine has named her one of the most powerful celebrities in the world multiple times. Time magazine has included her on its list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Discography

Tours and residencies

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Lady Gaga para niños

• Artists with the most number-ones on the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart
• Forbes list of highest-earning musicians
• Honorific nicknames in popular music
• List of actors with Academy Award nominations
• List of LGBT people from New York City
• List of Billboard Social 50 number-one artists
• List of most-followed Twitter accounts
• List of organisms named after famous people (born 1950–present)