Lady Gaga Laughs Off Intense ‘Joker 2’ Criticism
In a recent feature for Rolling Stone, Lady Gaga opened up about her mental health challenges during significant phases of her career. The pop star candidly shared her experiences while working on “A Star Is Born” and the subsequent “Joanne” world tour, revealing that she was battling severe psychological issues.
Gaga’s Struggles During “A Star Is Born”
Lady Gaga reflected on her mental state while producing “A Star Is Born.” She disclosed, “I did ‘A Star Is Born’ on lithium,” highlighting her struggles with manic episodes and her dependency on medication. During this time, Gaga experienced a profound emotional decline.
Health Crisis and Tour Cancellation
Gaga recounted an alarming moment when her sister expressed concern, stating, “I don’t see my sister anymore.” This prompted her to cancel the remainder of her tour, with one visit to the hospital for psychiatric care marking a turning point in her life. “I completely crashed. It was scary,” she said.
The timeline of this tumultuous period began with the filming of “A Star Is Born,” which started in April 2017. Prior to this, Gaga performed at the Super Bowl Halftime Show and released her album “Joanne” in fall 2016. Following the film’s production, she embarked on the “Joanne” world tour from August 2017 to February 2018 but ultimately canceled the last ten shows due to her health.
“Joker: Folie à Deux” and Critical Backlash
More recently, Gaga faced another public challenge with “Joker: Folie à Deux,” set for release in 2024. Despite being recognized for her portrayal of Harley Quinn alongside Joaquin Phoenix, the film received overwhelmingly negative reviews, leading to a disappointing global box office of around $200 million. In contrast, the original “Joker” had garnered over $1 billion.
Gaga’s Reaction and Artistic Resilience
Gaga acknowledged her disappointment but found humor in the situation, stating, “I started laughing.” She transformed her frustration into creativity, channeling the negative sentiments towards the sequel into her music. This catharsis culminated in the release of the “Disease” music video, the lead single from her album “Mayhem,” which has since been nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammys.
Love and Support
Importantly, Gaga credits her fiancé, Michael Polansky, with playing a crucial role in her recovery. They began dating in 2020, and she expressed, “Being in love with someone that cares about the real me made a very big difference.”
Through all the ups and downs of her career, Lady Gaga’s journey serves as a powerful reminder of resilience amid adversity.
