Few pop stars have had the smashing success that Lady Gaga has enjoyed. Ever since her hit Just Dance became wildly popular almost immediately, Lady Gaga has enjoyed her place at the top of the pop scene. Constantly pushing societal norms and conceptions of normal, she has won the hearts of fans all over the world. Born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta on March 28, 1986, she has come a long way on her journey to pop superstardom. If anybody knows what it feels like to be bullied and judged, it would be her. Suffering many years of high school bullying, Lady Gaga made sure to include positive, uplifting themes in her music. As one of her famous songs, Born This Way, goes “I’m beautiful in my way ‘cause God makes no mistakes, I’m on the right track baby I was born this way.” Her music and her aura resonated deeply with fans who felt they were different or weird. Lady Gaga never missed an opportunity to turn heads and shake up the scene. Bizarre clotes, scandalous dance moves, and everybody’s favorite meat dress are just are few examples of Lady Gaga’s rather quirky public appearance. This appearance is not a coincidence or an act. Having an unusual, artistic sense of fashion and a deep commitment to making her fans feel accepted, Lady Gaga has never backed down from her quirkiness.
The cultural impact Lady Gaga has had is wide-reaching and powerful. Her music has touched many and brought about an entire generation of devoted Gaga fans, known as little monsters. Few communities were as enamored with Lady Gaga as the LGBTQ+ community however. From the beginning, her message was one of love, acceptance, and respect. This message was well-received on the part of the LGBTQ+ community. At a time when many celebrities wouldn’t bother with LGBTQ+ issues, Lady Gaga was out blazing the trail. Her songs included highly pro-LGBTQ+ lyrics (“no matter gay, straight, or bi, lesbian, transgendered life, I’m on the right track baby I was born to survive”), she vocally came out in favor of gay rights, and she started the born this way foundation to create a more open, loving world. Many pop stars have pushed the envelope, many have utilized the “weird” factor, and many have caused controversy, but none have allied themselves as strongly with the marginalized and outcast as Lady Gaga has. She knows exactly who is drawn to her music, and she utilizes that. In that way, she has made a lasting cultural impact. Her fans have grown to value tolerance, peace, and acceptance above all else. Having cultivated a very open, down to earth fan base, Lady Gaga has likewise made an indelible mark on pop culture itself. Far too often music can be empty, devoid of meaning, or downright negative. However Lady Gaga has created not just positive songs, but an entire community within pop culture of loving, accepting little monsters. 