Lennon, who was tragically murdered in 1980 at the age of 40, was shot outside his apartment building, the Dakota, in New York City
Singer-actress Lady Gaga recently shared that the late Beatles legend John Lennon would be her dream collaborator, highlighting his influence on her music and personal life. During a fan-led press conference to celebrate the release of her new album Mayhem, the 38-year-old star revealed her admiration for Lennon and explained why he remains a significant inspiration to her.
“I think it would have been John Lennon,” Gaga said when asked about her dream musical collaboration. She continued, “I think he had such a beautiful heart, and I think that’s one of my favorite things in the history of music — when you don’t just remember an artist for their music, but you remember them for their heart.” Gaga also showed fans a peace sign tattoo on her wrist, explaining its personal significance. “This peace sign was right outside 72nd Street by the Dakota, where he was sadly taken from the world, but the peace sign was there every day and Yoko would put flowers outside. I got this tattoo because of that. I never forgot what he stood for, and it’s what I stand for too.”
Lennon, who was tragically murdered in 1980 at the age of 40, was shot outside his apartment building, the Dakota, in New York City. The killer, Mark David Chapman, had planned the assassination over several months and even approached Lennon earlier that day, requesting him to sign a copy of his album Double Fantasy. For Gaga, Lennon’s enduring legacy goes beyond his iconic music. She holds a deep respect for his message of peace and love, which continues to resonate in her own career and personal beliefs.
Interestingly, Gaga has previously compared herself to Lennon, admitting that she shares his tendency to feel dissatisfaction with her creative work. In an interview with NME, she said, “I am perpetually unhappy with what I create.
Even though I might tell you that ‘Edge Of Glory’ is a pop masterpiece, when it’s all said and finished, there will be things I dread. Every time I listen to it, I’ll hear them.” She went on to reference an infamous interview Lennon gave in 1980, in which he confessed to having a hard time listening to certain songs because of how they were finished. Gaga revealed that while some of Lennon’s tracks became fan favorites, he himself was often disappointed with the final product, something she finds relatable.
Alongside her thoughts on Lennon, Gaga has been making headlines for her openness about mental health. In a candid interview, she revealed the difficult period of psychosis she experienced five years ago. Speaking on The Interview Podcast from The New York Times, she shared her struggles with mental health and how it impacted her ability to connect with reality. “Five years ago, I had psychosis. I was not deeply in touch with reality for a while,” Gaga admitted. She described the period as life-altering and acknowledged that it took a lot of hard work to regain her sense of stability. However, she also shared a heartwarming aspect of her recovery — meeting her now-fiancee, Michael Polanksy, during this challenging time.
Gaga reflected on how meeting Michael helped her find a sense of hope and direction again. “It was a hard time, and it was actually really special when I met my partner because when I met Michael, I was in a much better place, but I remember him saying to me, pretty early on, ‘I know you could be a lot happier than you are’,” Gaga recalled. While it was difficult to hear those words at first, she came to appreciate Michael’s kindness and unwavering support. “From the moment that I met Michael, he had the most warm and kind disposition of maybe anyone that I had met in my whole life,” she shared.
Despite her comfort in discussing her recovery, Gaga admitted that talking about her mental health challenges is still difficult for her. “It’s something that I have found increasingly harder to talk about. I hate feeling defined by it,” she explained. “It felt like something I felt ashamed of. But I don’t think we should feel ashamed if we go through times like that.” Gaga hopes that by sharing her story, others struggling with mental health issues will find solace and know that recovery is possible. “It can get better. It did for me, and I’m grateful for that,” she said.
This candidness about her struggles and the emotional toll of fame comes as Gaga releases her seventh studio album, Mayhem, an introspective collection that reflects her journey, both artistic and personal. The album explores themes of vulnerability, emotional resilience, and finding peace in chaos. Fans are eagerly awaiting to see how these personal revelations and influences will shape her ongoing artistic evolution.
In addition to her music career, Gaga’s willingness to speak about mental health and her admiration for John Lennon speaks to her commitment to making a difference beyond the stage. Her openness continues to inspire many, showing that even the brightest stars face personal challenges, but through strength, love, and perseverance, they can find their way back to a better place.
