In the second episode of “What’s Next? The Future With Bill Gates” streaming on Netflix, Lady Gaga opened up about the bizarre rumours that plagued her early career, particularly one that falsely claimed she was a man.
The pop star shared her perspective on why she chose not to address these rumours publicly.
Back in 2011, Gaga famously dismissed the rumours with a sassy response during an interview with “CNN”.
“Why the hell am I going to waste my time and give a press release about whether or not I have a penis? My fans don’t care and neither do I,” she declared.
In the early 2010s, when sensationalism was a big part of celebrity culture, social media played a significant role in stirring the pot.
During this time, Gaga, who was rising to fame with hits like “Poker Face” and “Bad Romance,” was frequently targeted by invasive rumours.
During her recent conversation with Bill Gates, Gaga elaborated on her decision. “When I was in my early 20s there was a rumour that I was a man,” she revealed.
“I went all over the world. I travelled for tours and for promoting my records and almost every interview I sat in they said … there was this imagery on the internet that had been doctored … they’d say, ‘There’s rumours that you’re a man. What do you have to say about that?'”
Instead of feeling victimised, Gaga saw it as an opportunity to make a broader statement.
“The reason why I didn’t answer the question is because I didn’t feel like a victim with that lie and I thought: What about a kid who is being accused of that who would think that a public figure like me would feel shame?”
She emphasised her intent to use the misinformation to challenge norms and provoke thought in a different way.
Gaga reflected on her long-standing relationship with misinformation, saying, “I’ve been used to lies being printed about me since I was 20 years old. I’m a performer. I think it’s kind of funny.”
Similarly, former First Lady Michelle Obama faced a set of unfounded rumours about her identity during her time in the White House.
In 2009, conspiracy theories began circulating, falsely claiming that Michelle Obama was a transgender woman. Despite the baseless nature of these claims, the rumours gained traction online.
Michelle Obama addressed these rumours indirectly in her memoir, “Becoming”.
While she did not address the claims head-on, she wrote about her experience dealing with the scrutiny and misconceptions surrounding her.
In an interview with “ABC News”, she said: “It’s just ridiculous and hurtful. It’s part of a broader trend of racial and gendered attacks that people face.”