Podcast Summary: "The Interview': Lady Gaga's Latest Experiment? Happiness"
Podcast Information:
- Title: The Daily
- Host/Author: The New York Times
- Episode: "The Interview': Lady Gaga's Latest Experiment? Happiness."
- Release Date: March 8, 2025
- Hosts: Michael Barbaro and Sabrina Tavernise
Introduction
In this episode of The Daily, host David Marchese engages in an in-depth conversation with pop icon Lady Gaga about her latest album, Mayhem. The discussion delves into Gaga's artistic evolution, her experiences in the music industry, her relationship with her partner Michael Polanski, and her journey toward personal happiness and authenticity.
Music and Artistic Evolution
Lady Gaga has long been celebrated for her ability to reinvent herself, traversing diverse musical landscapes from dance pop to country rock. In Mayhem, Gaga returns to her pop roots, prompting questions about her motivations behind this artistic choice.
Mayhem’s Sound: An Amalgamation of Influences
Gaga describes Mayhem as an "amalgamation of all the music that helped me fall in love with music" (04:13). She incorporates elements of classic rock, disco, electronic music, and 80s synth, blending her favorite fragments from childhood memories. This approach differs from her previous album, Joanne, which embraced a country folk aesthetic. Gaga emphasizes that with Mayhem, she allowed each song to "speak its own language," celebrating the "chaos" she has often been criticized for (05:58).
Embracing Her Musical Identity
While Joanne was influenced by artists like Neil Young, Gaga felt constrained by the thematic requirements of the country genre. In contrast, Mayhem represents her refusal to limit herself, choosing instead to let her authentic musical preferences guide the album's creation (06:21).
Challenges in the Music Industry
Gaga opens up about the difficulties she has faced as a woman in the music industry, particularly regarding the emphasis on image over artistry.
Navigating Exploitation and Identity
She candidly discusses feeling exploited and treated as a commodity, especially during her early career. Gaga recounts how industry pressures led her to prioritize image and aesthetics, which often clashed with her desire to focus on music. She reflects, “I was in an exploitative relationship” (07:31), highlighting the broader issue of how women are perceived and treated in the music business.
Loneliness and Mental Health Struggles
Gaga speaks about the isolation that comes with fame, mentioning, “Being in the music industry since I was a teenager... some of it is what you can stand” (07:49). She reveals that it took her two decades to become the boss of her own artistry, underscoring the long journey toward autonomy and self-advocacy.
Support from Michael Polanski
A significant portion of the conversation focuses on Gaga's relationship with Michael Polanski, who serves as the executive producer of Mayhem.
Michael’s Role in Her Creative Process
Gaga describes Michael as a constant presence in the studio, helping her shape the album’s sound and encouraging her to trust her instincts. She shares a pivotal moment where she almost transformed the entire album into a grunge record, but Michael persuaded her to maintain the album's original direction: “He was like, but there's so much other amazing music that you've made, and it's all you” (12:15).
Building Genuine Connections
Gaga emphasizes that Michael's genuineness stems from his desire to be her friend rather than someone with ulterior motives. Their relationship is built on mutual understanding and support, which has been crucial for her personal and professional growth.
Authenticity and Artistry
Gaga reflects on her evolving understanding of authenticity in her music and personal life.
From Artifice to Authenticity
Initially fascinated by artifice and performance personas, Gaga now seeks authenticity on her own terms. She states, “Authenticity to me is a committee of one” (20:08), indicating that her genuine self is defined solely by her, not by external perceptions or industry expectations.
Balancing Performance and Personal Identity
Gaga discusses the challenge of integrating her stage persona with her everyday self. She acknowledges that while her past characters were part of her artistic expression, she now strives to ensure that her personal identity remains intact and authentic.
Mental Health and Well-being
Lady Gaga candidly addresses her struggles with mental health, including fibromyalgia and periods of psychosis.
Managing Chronic Pain
Gaga reveals, “I like, I'm in the place where... even today, if I went to the dance studio, I'd be fine” (31:20), indicating significant improvement in managing her fibromyalgia. She discusses how her condition impacted her ability to perform physically demanding tasks in the past.
Overcoming Psychosis
She shares her experience with psychosis, emphasizing the importance of integrating her artistic persona with her true self to achieve mental stability. Gaga remarks, “I had to figure out a way to integrate myself fully with my stage Persona” (44:16), highlighting the therapeutic aspect of aligning her public image with her personal well-being.
Kindness and Cultural Impact
Gaga advocates for kindness as a foundational value in both personal interactions and the broader cultural landscape.
Promoting Kindness Beyond Appearance
She asserts, “It's about how you live your life... how you have conversations with people” (26:38), emphasizing that kindness should be a consistent part of daily life, not just a superficial trait displayed publicly.
Celebrating Difference
Gaga believes that embracing diversity and difference is crucial for societal strength and resilience. She expresses sadness over the current societal acceptance of hurting others and encourages collective efforts to foster love and inclusivity.
Future and Motherhood
The conversation shifts to Gaga's aspirations and apprehensions about becoming a mother.
Balancing Fame and Parenting
Gaga is excited about motherhood but is concerned about ensuring her children live authentic lives free from the pressures of fame. She states, “The most important thing... is to not force my children to live a life that they are not choosing” (36:33).
Creating Space for Family and Art
She reflects on the need to balance her passion for art with creating a nurturing environment for her future family. Gaga aims to prioritize her children's individuality while maintaining her artistic integrity.
Conclusion
Lady Gaga's interview on The Daily provides a profound insight into her artistic journey, personal struggles, and the pursuit of happiness. Mayhem stands as a testament to her resilience and commitment to authenticity, supported by her partner Michael and her unwavering dedication to her craft. Gaga's reflections on kindness, mental health, and the importance of genuine connections offer valuable lessons for both artists and listeners alike.
Notable Quotes:
-
On Returning to Pop Music:
“Ultimately I decided I really wanted to do it and that this sonic style and sonic aesthetic really did belong to me.”
— Lady Gaga (04:09) -
On Exploitation in the Industry:
“Yes, 100%. I mean, I think... being in a room by yourself never happens anymore.”
— Lady Gaga (07:49) -
On Authenticity:
“Authenticity to me is a committee of one.”
— Lady Gaga (20:08) -
On Kindness:
“It's about how you live your life... you gotta be kind all the time.”
— Lady Gaga (26:38) -
On Motherhood:
“The most important thing... is to not force my children to live a life that they are not choosing.”
— Lady Gaga (36:33)
Timestamps Reference: