Lady Gaga has never shied away from discussing the complexities of fame, 

and in a recent interview, she opened up about the emotional toll it has taken on her.

Speaking on The Howard Stern Show, the 38-year-old Grammy-winning artist revealed that the biggest “horror” of being famous is losing her sense of self.

Her latest song, Perfect Celebrity, delves into this struggle, offering a raw and unfiltered look at the challenges of stardom.

Lady Gaga’s Complicated Relationship with Fame

During her conversation with Howard Stern, Gaga was asked to elaborate on the meaning behind Perfect Celebrity, a track from her upcoming album.

She admitted that the song reflects her own internal battle with fame and the identity crisis it has caused over the years.

“I think in a way, when I was writing, I was feeling like there was the real me and there was the clone me,” she explained. “It’s kind of one of the more angry songs I’ve ever written.”

She went on to say that while her rise to stardom was her own choice, there were moments where she resented what it had done to her.

“The song is a little bit of a retaliation against myself,” Gaga continued. “I’m just sort of trying to figure out, as I go through it, how I feel about it all, and it’s kind of a reckless tune, I think, in a way.”

The Psychological Toll of Stardom

When Stern asked what she considers the most difficult aspect of being in the public eye, Gaga didn’t hesitate.

“I lost my sense of self in it all,” she admitted.

She described how fame initially gave her a rush, but over time, it began to consume her.

“There’s a high I used to get from being in the public eye all the time, and it kind of, like, burnt me out and made me value what people thought of me over who I was in my everyday life,” she shared.

Gaga acknowledged that this way of thinking became deeply ingrained, affecting her personal happiness and self-worth. However, she eventually realized that it was up to her to change her perspective.

“Ultimately, it was my responsibility to start to value myself differently,” she said.

A Distorted Sense of Reality

As one of the most recognizable celebrities in the world, Gaga admitted that being at the center of attention for so long warped her self-image.

“It actually feels really nice to have things not be about me all the time,” she reflected. “I enjoy being there for the people I love, supporting other people. I guess what I’m trying to say is everything orbiting me for a really long time—it created a distorted sense of self.”

These feelings are echoed in the lyrics of Perfect Celebrity, where she likens herself to a “human doll” designed to please others.

“I’m made of plastic like a human doll / You push and pull me, I don’t hurt at all / I talk in circles, ‘cause my brain, it aches / You say, ‘I love you,’ I disintegrate,” she sings.

In another striking lyric, she addresses the feeling of detachment from herself:

“I’ve become a notorious being / Find my clone, she’s asleep on the ceiling.”

According to Gaga, these lyrics symbolize the division between her authentic self and the persona she presents to the world.

Not the First Time Gaga Has Spoken About Fame’s Dark Side

Gaga has been vocal about her struggles with fame in the past. In 2019, she made headlines for a simple yet powerful tweet:

“Fame is prison.”

Her 2017 Netflix documentary, Gaga: Five Feet Two, also shed light on the emotional and psychological challenges of being in the spotlight. Following the film’s release, she took to Instagram to share her thoughts.

“It is lonely, it is isolating, and it is very psychologically challenging because fame changes the way you’re viewed by people,” she wrote.

However, despite the hardships, Gaga remains grateful for the positive aspects of her career.

“Yet I am so humbled by the side of fame that breeds love from the world, the voice I’ve been given by my fans to spread messages of empowerment and equality, the fortunate life it’s brought to me and my family and how we can now give to others in need.”

Moving Forward with a New Perspective

While Gaga still struggles with the pressures of fame, she has found solace in prioritizing her personal life and supporting those she loves. Rather than allowing her public persona to dictate her sense of self, she is focusing on staying grounded and embracing her true identity.

Through Perfect Celebrity, she gives fans a raw and honest look at the emotional weight of stardom. The song serves as both a confession and a statement of self-awareness, proving that even the biggest stars are still searching for themselves.