STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - JULY 21: Lady Gaga performs on stage during The Chromatica Ball Summer Stadium Tour at Friends Arena on July 21, 2022 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation)
Lady Gaga recently opened up about an early rumor that swirled around her career regarding her gender identity. In a recent interview on Bill Gates’ Netflix series “What’s Next?”, the Born This Way singer recalled being regularly asked in interviews during her early twenties whether rumors were true that she was biologically male.
Gaga chose not to directly address the rumors at the time. She explained that as a public figure, she didn’t want to portray herself as a “victim” of such claims. More importantly, she was concerned about the impact denying it may have on young people struggling with their own identity. The singer said her goal was to approach the topic in a thought-provoking way rather than spread rhetoric that could negatively affect the LGBTQ community.
The rumor first emerged following Gaga’s breakthrough in 2008-2009 with hits from her debut album like “Poker Face”. While she told Barbara Walters in 2009 that she didn’t “really” mind being the subject of such speculation, the singer emphasized her appreciation for androgynous self-expression. In 2011, Anderson Cooper directly asked if she had male genitalia, to which Gaga quipped “Maybe I do. Would it be so terrible?”
Reflecting on her rise to fame, Gaga commented on surviving doubters and haters. She saw a TikTok about an old Facebook group created by former classmates. . The post highlighted Gaga’s many career accolades in contrast. She encouraged others not to give up when faced with naysayers, as perseverance is key to achievement.
