The world celebrated Lady Gaga’s triumphant performance in 2018’sA Star Is Born, a film that launched a cultural phenomenon and the unforgettable ballad, “Shallow.” It appeared to be the pinnacle of a career already defined by relentless success, a moment of pure artistic and commercial victory.
But beneath the dazzling surface, a silent struggle raged. In a recent, remarkably candid interview, Gaga revealed a starkly different reality: she navigated the film’s production and subsequent whirlwind while heavily medicated. “I didA Star Is Bornon lithium,” she stated plainly, the medication a temporary shield against a growing internal crisis.
The medication allowed her to function, to deliver the performance that captivated millions, but it masked a deeper unraveling. As her public star ascended, her inner world began to fracture, a terrifying disconnect unfolding amidst Super Bowl performances, Golden Globe wins, and red carpet appearances.
The breaking point arrived during her Joanne World Tour, culminating in a psychotic break. A chilling moment stands out in her memory: her sister’s heartbreaking observation, “I don’t see my sister anymore.” Shortly after, she made the difficult decision to cancel the tour, seeking intensive psychiatric care and a complete withdrawal from public life.
There were times, she confessed, when she genuinely feared she wouldn’t recover. “It was really scary,” she recalled, acknowledging the precariousness of her situation. “There was a time where I didn’t think I could get better… I feel really lucky to be alive.”
A crucial element in her journey back to stability was the unwavering support of her fiancé, Michael Polansky. He offered a grounding presence she hadn’t known in years, consistently seeing Stefani, the person beneath the persona, rather than the global icon, Lady Gaga.
This intimacy sparked a profound internal question: “How do you learn how to be yourself with someone when you don’t know how to be yourself with anyone?” The search for that answer ultimately became the catalyst for her creative rebirth.
Her album,Mayhem, released earlier this year, is a testament to that arduous process of rediscovery. It’s a collection of songs born from piecing together fragments of a self she believed lost, a chaotic journey reflected in the album’s very title. “What it took to get it back was crazy,” she explained.
Today, Gaga describes herself as “healthy, whole.” This transformation isn’t about a new image or artistic direction; it’s a far more profound and personal evolution, a quiet reclamation of self after a harrowing descent.
It’s a story of resilience, a testament to the power of vulnerability, and a reminder that even amidst the brightest spotlights, the most important battles are often fought within.
