Growing Up Gaga: Ashley, Jenny, and Micheala
In the "Growing up Gaga" article by Vanessa Grigoriadis the author doesn't simply voice her opinions on the music Gaga makes, but instead gives the reader insight into what built Lady Gaga into the super star she is today. Grigoriadis uses her own expectations and personal experiences to explaining her first encounter with Lady Gaga. From there she goes on to discuss the making of Lady Gaga, from who influenced her work (Warhol and certainly Madonna) to where her name came from. She even discusses Lady Gaga's childhood, stage career, and private drug use. Another key topic is her sexuality and the way Gaga embraces the gay culture that fawns over her. Lines like, "But that's the genius of Gaga: her willingness to be a mutant, a cartoon," both show Grigoriadis's knowledge of Lady Gaga and also provides the reader (who has somehow never heard of Lady Gaga) with an image of who the pop star is. She breaks apart the essay with bits of interviews from friends of Gaga who all share their own stories of childhood with Stefani Germanotta. This gives the reader a break from the facts and provides a more personal and introspective look at who Lady Gaga really is.
Vanessa Grigoriadis takes a sociological approach to the writing of her article, “Growing up Gaga.” Oppose to a focus on her music, Grigoriadis puts an emphasis on Gaga’s life and the atmosphere in which she was raised. She provides a clear illustration of her family dynamics, and her social experiences in both school and extra curricular activities. Through a description of Gaga’s critical affiliations, Grigoriadis shows the reader how her relationships shaped the artists that she has become. Even down to the birth of the name “Lady Gaga”, a result of her playful relationship with Fusari, the reader begins to understand that Gaga’s persona, as with mosts artists, is a culmination of her social surroundings.
Incorporating input from her close acquaintances, the audience is taken on a journey from Stefani Germanotta to “Lady Gaga”. Mentioned are some of Gaga’s more humble and vulnerable moments such as the purchase of her first Gucci purse. “I was so excited because all of the girls at Sacred Heart always had their fancy purses, and I always had whatever,” she explains. The article also taps into the idea of Gaga having to learn how to be a star. Through her primary school performances, it is evident that Gaga embodied natural talent. Channeling her gifts into what would eventually make her an iconic figure of pop culture, however, at times came as a challenge. Fusari describes moments in which Gaga would show up in sweatpants. Despite her relaxed attire, through Gaga’s voice, the reader was constantly reminded that she had the mentality of someone who was destined for fame. With interjections such as “I’m from New York. I will kill to get what I need”, her ambition was not debatable. Often mentioned are Gaga’s closest social companions or her “camp”. It can be concluded through Grigoriadis article, that it was their ability to detect and nurture this driving mentality, that can be credited for production of the Lady Gaga known today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Abk1jAONjw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNsfGinSquw (lyrics)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ95z6ywcBY&oref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DGQ95z6ywcBY&has_verified=1
3. Beautiful, Dirty, Rich
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4uZkWsLqc4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2smz_1L2_0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4CTk0VcqoI
Does the perception of “knowing” Lady GaGa change after knowing her history?
Is it her stage presents or her musical talent that make her Lady GaGa?
Is it possible to determine Lady Gaga’s music through her influences?
Is she actually unique? Or is she falling into a trend?
dailybridgerton
kianamaiart
jacobvanloon
snowghoul
