Lady Gaga Makes 'Weird Art' Accessible

On March 8th, Lady Gaga was the host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live. Being such a multi-faceted performer, it should come as no surprise that she killed it.

Lady Gaga performing 'Abracadabra' on SNL | Photo: Will Heath/NBC via Getty Images

Leading up to the episode, SNL posted clips on Instagram of her previous musical appearances on the show. As I watched these clips, it led me to reflect on Gaga's bold style evolution, and how it's received by the world.

When she first became famous, circa 2008, many didn't know what to think of her—myself included. Up until that point, the 2000s had been by-and-large a melting pot of R&B and hip hop sounds, low-rise jeans, and a far cry from originality.

Enter Stefani Germanotta with a gaudy, artificial look and sound that initially had me convinced this Gaga lady was actually some sort of robot experiment. But despite skeptics like me, she doubled down on her innovative style and quickly gained worldwide acclaim.

I was soon to jump on board as well. I realized there was real talent and artistry behind her glowing crystal ‘disco stick’ and digitalized vocals. Everything she did was intentional.

Before long, other pop artists, along with millions of fans, were reflecting her bold aesthetic. We all know imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. It was evident that Ms. Germanotta had made her mark and earned the respect of the industry and consumership. 

Some of the many Gaga looks that have been made into Halloween costumes.

Why Does It Work For Lady Gaga?

I believe one of the main reasons Gaga has been able to make and sustain such a huge legacy, is that she is so true to herself. When she makes an artistic statement—no matter how odd it may be—she commits to it.

She says “This is what I have to say, and this is how I’m choosing to say it.” She’s unapologetic and people respect her for that. She also has the skills to back up her wild ideas.

Lady Gaga in the music video for 'Born This Way'

Create boldly and trust your instincts

The lesson here is to stop censoring your ideas to make them palatable. Stop twisting yourself to fit in, or trying so hard to stand out.

Just create the best work you can—work that lights up your soul, no matter who takes issue with it. Your art will find the audience it’s meant for.

I’ll leave you with this performance from the SNL episode—it’s classic Gaga, and reminds us that when done well, there’s wonder in the weird.