Summary
- Gaga and Madonna were initially compared to each other, but Gaga became annoyed when the comparisons persisted after the release of "Born This Way."
- Gaga and Madonna posed for a picture together in 2019, putting an end to rumors of their feud. They even poked fun at the feud in a skit for Saturday Night Live.
- Gaga and Madonna had a fun and intense rehearsal process when they performed together on SNL, driving everyone crazy with their dedication.
Lady Gaga's debut album "The Fame" was released in 2008. In the years that followed, Gaga's star would rise and she would be compared to several artists, including Madonna. While comparisons to the Queen of Pop were initially taken as a compliment, Gaga became annoyed when they persisted following the release of "Born This Way."
Madonna and Gaga were rumored to be in a feud for many years afterward. However, the two eventually posed for a picture together in 2019 at an Oscars after party. The two even poked fun at the idea of a feud ten years earlier in a skit for Saturday Night Live.
Gaga herself once shared how she and Madonna "drove everyone crazy" during preparation for the big show when talking to Larry King. During her anecdote, she admitted to one similarity the two singers do share.
Madonna Responded To Lady Gaga Comparisons And The Media Started Rumors Of A Feud
When Gaga released the single "Born This Way" in 2011, she was subjected to a tidal wave of media headlines. Very few had to do with the song's subject and everything to do with its similarities to Madonna's "Express Yourself."
That same year, Gaga responded to the comparisons in an interview with NME.
"What a completely ridiculous thing to even question me about," Gaga said. "I will look you in your eyes and tell you that I am not dumb enough or moronic enough to think that you are dumb enough or moronic enough not to see that I would have stolen a melody. If you put the songs next to each other, side by side, the only similarities are the chord progression. It’s the same one that’s been in disco music for the last 50 years. Just because I’m the first f****** artist in 25 years to think of putting it on Top 40 radio, it doesn’t mean I’m a plagiarist, it means that I’m f****** smart. Sorry."
A year later, Madonna was interviewed by ABC News and questioned about the similarities between the two songs. Madonna said she thought "Born This Way" sounded "very familiar." When asked if that felt "annoying," Madonna said, "It feels reductive."
When the reporter asked Madonna if that was good, she responded, "Look it up."
This remark went viral and immediately caused the media to start rumors of a feud between the two stars. Madonna went on to clear the air in 2015 when speaking to Rolling Stone.
"The only time I ever criticized Lady Gaga was when I felt like she blatantly ripped off one of my songs," Madonna explained. "It’s got nothing to do with ‘she’s taking my crown’ or ‘she’s in some space of mine.’ She has her thing. I do think she’s a very talented singer and songwriter. It was just that one issue."
Lady Gaga And Madonna Posed Together At An Oscars After Party Following Her Oscar Win
In 2016, Gaga confirmed she would be starring alongside Bradley Cooper in the remake of A Star Is Born. The film would be Cooper's directorial debut and Gaga's first starring role. When the film was released in 2018, it was a huge success both critically and commercially.
Gaga's performance received praise and she was nominated at the Academy Awards for Best Actress in 2019. The film's song "Shallow" was also nominated that year and won for Best Original Song. The song was co-written with Mark Ronson, who joined Gaga on stage to accept the trophy.
Several years after the perceived failure of her 2013 album "Artpop," Gaga was once again dominating the charts and winning over audiences. Her success in the film helped audiences to see a new side to her artistry and talent.
What Happened Between Barbra Streisand And Lady Gaga?
Barbra Streisand didn't seem too keen on Lady Gaga's remake of "A Star Is Born."
After the Oscars, Gaga arrived at an after party where she met up with Madonna. The two posed for a photo together, which both singers shared on Instagram. This picture got a lot of attention and everyone believed it signaled the end of their so-called "feud."
However, Madonna and Gaga previously posed together in 2015 during the Met Gala with Katy Perry. They were spotted posing together again later that night at another party.
Lady Gaga Said She And Madonna Were Rehearsing For 'Saturday Night Live' Over And Over Again
In the fall of 2009, Gaga performed a brief piano version of "Bad Romance" before its release during her guest appearance on Saturday Night Live. She also performed "Lovegame," "Poker Face" and "Paparazzi" on the show.
During her appearance, Gaga participated in a skit as well. The skit was a long-running parody of music countdown shows like Total Request Live. Gaga appeared alongside Madonna and the two began performing a duet until it went completely wrong.
The two pretended to fight with each other and almost kissed before actually kissing Kenan Thompson.
Lady Gaga Revealed The Details Of Justin Timberlake And Andy Samberg's 'Nervous' Pitch For Their SNL Skit
Lady Gaga revealed that Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg were nervous to approach her with the idea.
The sketch would be an interesting one, since Gaga was already being compared to Madonna. In 2011, Gaga spoke with Larry King, who asked her about the SNL appearance.
"I did!" Gaga said when King asked if she had fun doing the skit. "She's great. We had a blast. We were laughing. We're both quite militant about rehearsals, so we were driving everybody crazy rehearsing over and over and over again. SNL wanted us to go get ready for the show and we kept going."
