Most celebrities have a shtick; a signature “quirk,” if you will, by which consumers can recognize them. Elton John in the seventies with the glasses, Flavor Flav with the clocks, for example. I get it. I see video of Madonna from the 80s and think, “Oh, that’s her thing, exaggerated sexuality, blah blah blah.” I don’t feel one way or the other about it.
So why is it that the sight of Lady Gaga in one of her stupid costumes sends me into fits of rage? I know what she’s doing and it isn’t all that different from Kevin Barnes (Of Montreal) or Marilyn Manson or the damn Village People. Yet I cannot mask my disgust for this woman.
Potential theories:
- I’m projecting my hatred for her music onto her.
- Or, maybe I subconsciously like her music and am looking for a reason not to like her. This is less likely than the above, because all her songs sound identical – and annoying as crap – to me.
- I can’t help feeling like she’s a pawn manufactured to pander to “the gays.” Yes, I know female pop artists are popular in the gay club scene. But with the music industry in its current state, when artists like Gaga pop on to the scene, it’s often because they’re manufactured by record labels (see also: Owl City). Every time I see her I imagine a room full of industry suits licking their lips and saying “Oh, ‘the gays’ are gonna love this one.” By the way, I put “the gays” in quotes because it’s such an absurdly broad category, yet apparently nuanced enough for marketers and ad types.
- She’s rude.Fig 1:
Look at those poor souls around her at the Grammys. They can’t see over her stupid hat sculpture, and she’s all up in everyone’s personal space. As someone who always finds herself stuck behind the tallest person in the room at concerts, weddings, etc. this makes my blood boil. Think of the people around you for chrissakes. Even the guy whose hand she’s holding looks mortified. - She looks stupid.
I am in full support of making bold fashion choices, but isn’t looking attractive the objective? Does anyone find the outfit above to be even close to sexy? It’s certainly not flattering. If this is how we’re supposed to dress in the future you can count me out. It looks ridiculous. - She doesn’t wear pants.
Generations before us fought for women’s right to wear pants and you are just spitting in their faces, Lady Gaga. Plus, two words: Slippery. Slope. If I start seeing regular ladies strolling pantsless down the street, I will hold you personally accountable. - Lady Gaga works tirelessly to detach herself as much as possible from her audience with the costumes and bizarre choreography, it’s impossible to relate to her.
- The old standby: “I’m just jealous.” I’m not, but this is a list of potential theories so I have to include it.
Right now, I’m leaning toward a combination of 1,3 and 5, but feel free to add your theories in comments.
As someone who rarely knows who pop stars even ARE, much less likes them…I am a big Lady Gaga fan. I hated on her for a long time, just in principle. But then I saw the “Bad Romance” video. At first, I was all “What the fuuuuuuu.” But then the song and the video started popping up in my mind, like, a LOT. And then I watched it like 50 times in a row and realized I loved it.
What I like about her is not her music or her fashion, but it is the fact (which you kinda mention above) that she is NOT sexy in anything she wears. In fact, I think she’s kinda spitting in the face of traditional female sexiness, and I can totally get behind that. In fact, she’s not even really trying to be a woman. She’s trying to be a THING, as far as I’m concerned, like some alien thing. I know this is a long shot, but try watching the “Bad Romance” video with the mindset that she’s actually quite intelligent and funny. I laugh a lot during that video, especially at some of her dance moves.
I’m probably way wrong. She’s probably as vapid as the rest. But if she wants to become a non-person thing, then I will let her. And in my mind, that thing knows exactly what’s it doing.
I love her. Just submit.
Totally not related to the substance of your post, but… Is that her Dad she’s holding hands with?
And that dude behind her – The look of amazement / fear in his eyes is hilarious, but whichever he’s feeling, he deserves it. Unless he’s in a marching band, he has no business wearing that outfit in public.
Yeah.
Wow.
CANNOT.
STAND.
HER.
I wish she would just go away.
But I think that about a lot of ‘artists’ nowadays.
I feel like an Old Coot. But, I’m strangely OK with that.