Biography
In today’s society, Lady Gaga is known as a captivatingly eccentric leading lady. She has
made many risky decisions in both fashion and music, and appears to be completely natural at
being the center of attention. It seems as though she has been in the limelight her whole life.
However, how would you react if I were to say that this pop sensation was not born the Lady
Gaga we know today? Our music icon was born in Yonkers, New York as Stefani Joanne
Angelina Germanotta on March 28, 1986, to parents Joseph and Cynthia Germanotta
(biorgraphy.com Par.2). Little did they know that their baby would one day become an
international pop star.
Though not an average child, Lady Gaga, a name she chose due to her love of the Queen
song, “Radio Ga-ga,” had a pretty normal childhood, accept for a few major events
(biography.com Par.3). She was born into a middle class Italian family with her father, mother,
and sister, and was raised in Manhattan, New York (metrolyrics.com Par.1). She, being a
naturally talented musician, picked up playing the piano at the tender age of four. As Stefani’s
pianist skills grew, so did her opportunities. By age eleven, Lady Gaga was accepted into the
prestigious Julliard School of Music, in New York. The young performer turned the offer down,
and instead, attended a private Catholic school in the city. Though not in a music based school,
Stefani continued her studies and passion for the piano. By the age of thirteen, she had already
accomplished writing her first piano ballad. As her age grew, so did her success, as she had her
first performance at fourteen in a New York nightclub (biography.com Par.3). From there, her
talents and achievements only seemed to grow, just like her.
Lady Gaga started her college education at seventeen, when she was granted early
admission to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. She was only one of twenty
students worldwide to receive the prestigious honor of early acceptance. There, Stefani continued
her studies of music and songwriting skills. Not enjoying the whole “college lifestyle,” she
withdrew herself from school to find herself. In order for her to keep a roof over her head, she
worked three jobs, including a go-go dancer (biography.com Par.3). She soon fell under the
pressures of drugs, and associated with shady people (metrolyrics.com Par.2). Her academically
charged days then ended.
By 2005, Stefani Germanotta was professionally signed by Def Jam Records, where she
dropped in just a matter of months after signing. It was then, Lady Gaga was motivated to make
it big, and began performing in clubs and venues in New York’s Lower East Side to increase her
chances of being discovered (biography.com Par.4). By the age of twenty, Gaga started working
at Interscope Records as a songwriter for other groups signed by the label. Doing what she does
best, Stefani began writing for big names like New Kids on the Block, Britney Spears, and The
Pussycat Dolls. While working for Interscope Records, Lady Gaga would perform in burlesque
shows, where she was discovered by Akon. He signed her to his label under the Interscope
umbrella, “Kon” live. It was here she wrote and recorded her first album, The Fame. It was a
huge success, and her creative team, “Haus of Gaga,” began to transform her into an
international popstar (biography.com Par.5). Lady Gaga released her debut single, “Just Dance”
over the airwaves in 2008. Her song flourished, and was nominated for Best Dacne Recording
the same year. Although defeated by Daft Punk, she kept persuing her dream (biography.com,
Par.6). Lady Gaga is now headlining on The Fame Ball Tour, and has made comments about
possibley touring with Kanye West in the future (biography.com Par.7). Stefani Germanotta
proved that if you believe in yourself, and never give up, you too can make your wildest dreams
come true. All you need is drive, dedication, and a dream!