Music superstar and actress Lady Gaga takes the cover story of American Vogue Magazine‘s October 2024 edition lensed by fashion photographer Ethan James Green. In charge of styling was Alex Harrington, with set design from Marla Weinhoff, casting direction by Sergio Kletnoy, and production by Connect The Dots. Beauty is work of hair stylist Frederic Aspiras, makeup artist Sarah Tanno, and manicurist Kim Truong for Glitterbels at Star Touch Agency.
Lady Gaga’s latest feature in American Vogue showcases a transformative period in her career and personal life, offering a rare glimpse behind the elaborate costumes and public personas that have defined her image for over a decade. In this new phase, Gaga seems more grounded, yet her artistic energy remains as dynamic as ever. Discussing her role in Joker: Folie à Deux, her engagement to Michael Polansky, and her return to pop music, the interview provides a window into a woman balancing stardom with self-discovery.
At the heart of Gaga’s narrative is her complex relationship with performance and identity. Over the years, she’s mastered the art of creating personae, often using outlandish costumes to blur the line between the real and the fabricated. Her character in Joker: Folie à Deux reflects this theme, portraying a fan obsessed with a persona rather than the person behind it. Gaga’s commentary on the role aligns with her personal journey – moving away from the layers of artifice that once defined her public image.
This shift is particularly evident in how Gaga now approaches her career. Once known for the painstakingly curated public appearances and elaborate performances, she is embracing a more relaxed and authentic image. The days of hyper-exaggerated fashion statements have given way to a more understated look – at least offstage. This change is deeply tied to her personal growth. Lady Gaga has spent much of 2024 working at Malibu’s Shangri-La studio, where she is crafting both a surprise project and her new pop album, LG7, due in early 2025. Her decision to return to pop music, encouraged by Polansky, marks a shift back to the joy of creation rather than the pressure of industry expectations.
Gaga’s engagement to Polansky is another significant moment in this period of transformation. Their relationship, which began in 2019, offers her stability and support that contrasts sharply with her previous relationships. In candid moments, Gaga expresses gratitude for having found a partner who not only understands her complex public life but also cherishes the person behind the fame. This relationship, nurtured during the pandemic when the couple lived together in Malibu, seems to have brought a sense of calm to Gaga’s life – something she says has allowed her to create music from a place of happiness, rather than the pain that once fueled her art.
In Joker: Folie à Deux, Gaga plays a character deeply entwined with themes of obsession, mental health, and identity, subjects that have long fascinated her. The role mirrors much of her personal exploration over the years, especially in her struggle with fame and how it can distort the individual behind the persona. Gaga’s reflection on Harley Quinn – her character in the film – suggests that this role taps into her own experiences of quiet chaos. She draws parallels between her portrayal of Quinn and her understanding of how fame and emotional intensity can push someone to withdraw into themselves.
Musically, Gaga is poised for a reinvention. Her new pop album represents a return to her roots, yet with the wisdom gained from years of navigating the challenges of stardom. During her Chromatica tour, she performed without pain for the first time in years, marking a personal victory after a long battle with chronic pain caused by fibromyalgia. This physical and emotional renewal has directly influenced her music, with her upcoming album promising to capture a more joyful and free expression of who she is today.
As Lady Gaga continues to evolve, her artistry remains a fusion of sincerity and performance, blending the raw with the theatrical. Her role in Joker: Folie à Deux and her upcoming pop album reflect both the complexity of her career and her commitment to self-expression. Now, with a renewed sense of self and love, Gaga is stepping into a new chapter – one where her music, her relationships, and her sense of identity are all deeply connected.
Photography © Ethan James Green for Vogue Magazine, read more at vogue.com
what a piece of rubbish is vogue now…this is a disgrace