Lady Gaga on why she never shut down the old viral rumour she was ‘a man’
When Lady Gaga first burst onto the pop music scene in the late 2000s, her unique style and powerful performances captured the world’s attention. However, with that fame came a barrage of rumors and speculation, particularly regarding her gender identity. Allegations that she was “a man” or even a “hermaphrodite” spread rapidly online, fueled by transphobia and sensationalism. It was a chaotic time, with interviewers frequently confronting her about these unfounded claims.
In a recent interview with Bill Gates, Lady Gaga revisited that period and explained her decision not to directly address the rumors. “When I was in my early 20s, there was a rumor that I was a man,” she recalled. “Everywhere I went—on tours, during interviews—people would ask me about it. I’d see doctored images on the internet, and the question would come up again and again.” Despite the relentless questioning, Gaga chose not to engage with the rumor in a way that would legitimize it.
Her iconic response to one such inquiry in 2011 encapsulated her attitude: “Maybe I do. Would it be so terrible? 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.” This powerful statement highlighted her belief that her identity was not for public scrutiny, and she refused to conform to societal expectations about gender.
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