When you hear the name Lady Gaga, you might think of the singer, pop star, and global superstar. She’s also known for her unique style, crazy outfits, edgy performances, and provocative music and roles. Now, all these are all sides of Gaga that everyone already knows about. But did you know that she also has a religious side, too?
Lady Gaga is a Christian, particularly a Catholic. This means that she believes in Jesus Christ and God. She grew up in a Catholic family and attended the Convent of the Sacred Heart, an all-girls Catholic school in New York. She uses a lot of Catholic imagery and religious subjects in her work, too.
That said, Gaga openly talks about her religion and beliefs. Continue reading to learn more about her career, life, and faith below.
Who Is Lady Gaga?
Born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, more popularly known as “Lady Gaga”, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and performance artist. She is best known for her strong vocal ability, provocative lyrics, and stunning stage presence. She has also made headlines with her unique fashion sense. Remember that iconic meat dress?
Lady Gaga got her start in clubs. Eventually, she moved on to write songs before finally landing her own record deal. Some of the songs she wrote for others include “Quicksand” by Britney Spears, “Full Service” by New Kids on the Block, and “Elevator” by the Pussycat Dolls. She also got to write for Michael Bolton, Jennifer Lopez, Adam Lambert, and Fergie.
In 2008, Gaga released her debut studio album, “The Fame”. It was a commercial success, topping the charts in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Poland, Germany, and more. In the United States, it peaked at number 2 on Billboard 200. The album’s first two singles, “Just Dance” and “Poker Face” caught the world’s attention. To date, they are still among Gaga’s best and most successful songs. Her music videos for other songs in her debut album such as “LoveGame” and “Paparazzi” further solidified her stature as the next pop star.
From then on, Lady Gaga has released several No. 1 albums, including “Born This Way”, “Artpop”, “Chromatica”, and more.
Aside from singing, performing, and songwriting, Gaga also occasionally appears in films and TV shows, including “Machete Kills (2013)”, “Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (2014)”, and “American Horror Story: Hotel”. In 2021, she was also cast in Ridley Scott’s “House of Gucci”.
You might have seen Gaga in the 2018 remake of the movie “A Star Is Born”, too, which garnered her critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination. Furthermore, it is through this film that she won two Grammy Awards and the Oscar for Best Original Song for “Shallow”, which she co-wrote and performed with Bradley Cooper.
What Is Lady Gaga’s Religion?
Lady Gaga is a Catholic Christian. Throughout her career, she’s been open about her faith, speaking about it in interviews and on her social media accounts. In 2016, for instance, she tweeted about Trump losing support from Republicans, saying “I may not be conservative, but I’m Christian” on her X account (formerly Twitter).
Gaga’s Instagram is also full of references to her religion. One time, she posted her photo with a priest while holding the Bible and added the caption: “Thank you Father Duffell for a beautiful homily as always and lunch at my pop’s restaurant. I was so moved today when you said ‘The Eucharist is not a prize for the perfect but the food that God gives us.'”
There was also a time when Gaga posted herself praying the rosary while talking about her mental struggles. Furthermore, in an interview with Larry King when asked about her religion, she answered: “I’m very religious. I was raised Catholic. I believe in Jesus. I believe in God. I’m very spiritual. I pray very much.”
Now, due to her provocative lyrics and roles, some deem her “unfit” to be a “Christian”. Some of her stances on gay rights, particularly on same-sex marriage, are also seen to go against the Catholic Church faith. It should be noted, however, that there have been many priests and bishops who offered their blessing for same-sex couples. Some are also in favor of having them blessed by priests. In fact, Pope Francis formally gave his approval for priests to bless same-sex couples in December 2023.
That said, while Lady Gaga is a devout Catholic, there are matters in the church that she doesn’t agree with. This is why during her interview with Larry King, she said: “I suppose you could say I’m a quite religious woman that is very confused about religion.”
Lady Gaga and Being a Catholic Christian
With her songs, expressions of her religion, and even her lifestyle, Lady Gaga is often put under the critical spotlight of the conservative Christian community. For example, she made headlines for her music video for her single “Alejandro”, which features religious imagery combined with highly sexualized material. There’s also her “Judas” video, which earned the ire of Catholic and Latino activist groups.
Additionally, Christian groups in the Philippines called for a ban on Gaga’s Manila concerts in 2012, alleging that her song “Judas” was an offense to Jesus Christ. The same happened in Indonesia when Muslim protesters successfully made her cancel her sold-out concert in Jakarta. Some concerned Christians in Seoul have also deemed her show and “Born This Way Ball” tour pornographic, successfully making it an “adult-only” event.
Throughout the years, Gaga has been criticized for her work while being an outspoken Catholic and Christian. Some even criticize her for her lifestyle while claiming to be religious. In a deleted article entitled “From Lady Gaga to Steph Curry: 5 Things to Remember When Celebrities Share Their Faith”, it’s suggested that there’s a trend of celebrities “sharing Bible verses, quoting priests, and singing Christian music while at the same time still leading a typical Hollywood lifestyle void of Christian values such as modesty and purity.”
Lady Gaga took offense at this and responded through Instagram that “God is never a trend no matter who the believer”. She also pointed out that Jesus loved and protected Mary Magdalene, a prostitute. She then proceeds to say that they are not just “celebrities” but also “humans and sinners, children” and that their lives are “not void of values” because they struggle. Gaga also reminded us that “we are as equally forgiven as our neighbor.”
Sure, Lady Gaga may not please everyone. But as someone who believes in God and Jesus Christ, promotes peace, and encourages everyone to love one another, no one can deny that she is definitely a true Christian and a good person.
