Gaga reflects on her growth, challenges, and new role as Harley Quinn in Joker: Folie à Deux.
Lady Gaga, the 38-year-old multi-talented singer and actress, is feeling grateful as she reflects on her career and personal journey.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Gaga opened up about the challenges she has faced over the years, the success she’s found, and how she’s in a much better place today.
“I’m in a new place,” Gaga shared as she discussed her latest role in Joker: Folie à Deux, which hit theaters recently. The movie is a sequel to the 2019 hit Joker and showcases Gaga as Harley Quinn, the infamous DC Comics character.
The film, directed by Todd Phillips, has already gained significant attention and received an 11-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival.
But while Gaga’s career in both the music and film industries has been marked by accolades, hit songs, and bold fashion choices, her journey hasn’t been easy.
“I’ve been in the music industry since I was a teenager,” Gaga reflected. “And I’ve been working in the film industry for the last 10 years or so. I think I just went through a lot.”
Her experiences, both personal and professional, were captured in her 2017 documentary Gaga: Five Foot Two, where fans got a glimpse of her struggles behind the scenes. The star’s dedication to pushing boundaries in both music and fashion has always kept her in the spotlight, but it hasn’t come without challenges.
“I feel really grateful for the career that I’ve had,” she expressed during the interview. “And I feel so grateful for my fans. Also, I think I had a lot of trouble with it at one point.”
That sense of gratitude is something Gaga says she feels more strongly now than ever before. “I just feel a lot better now, and it’s nice to be able to say that. I feel really grateful to be able to say that.”
In Joker: Folie à Deux, Gaga takes on the role of Harley Quinn, a character she’s excited to explore. The film is a musical, which gives her the chance to combine her two passions: acting and singing.
For Gaga, it was a unique opportunity that appealed to her desire to do something completely new.
“I really wanted to do something that I’ve never done before,” she said with a smile. The film’s director, Todd Phillips, brings back his dark and gripping style, and Gaga stars alongside Joaquin Phoenix, who reprises his role as the troubled and complex Arthur Fleck, also known as the Joker.
The film not only marks a new chapter in Gaga’s career but also reflects her broader personal journey. While she has experienced immense success, she has also spoken openly about the pressures of fame and the toll it has taken on her mental and physical health.
Her ability to bounce back and find joy in her work again is something that seems to bring her a deep sense of peace now.
As she continues to take on new challenges and roles, both in music and film, Lady Gaga seems to be embracing this period of her life with a renewed sense of purpose. Fans are not only excited to see her portrayal of Harley Quinn but also to witness her evolution as an artist and a person.
In a career that spans more than two decades, Lady Gaga has shown she’s not afraid to take risks and break new ground. With Joker: Folie à Deux, she’s proving once again that her creative boundaries know no limits, and her fans are eagerly along for the ride.
Joker: Folie à Deux is now playing in theaters, bringing together Lady Gaga’s passion for performance in an unforgettable musical experience.
