In a deeply personal and exclusive interview with Rolling Stone, global pop icon Lady Gaga has shared harrowing details about one of the most difficult periods of her life, a time where her immense fame clashed with a severe personal crisis, leading to a psychological breakdown.
The Breaking Point: A Star in Crisis
Lady Gaga revealed that the pressure of her stardom took a massive toll, culminating in a psychotic break. She was so far removed from herself that her own sister noted her absence, telling her, "I don’t see my sister anymore." This moment was a wake-up call. Gaga made the difficult decision to cancel her tour and seek immediate help, checking herself into a hospital for psychiatric care.
"I completely crashed. It was really scary. There was a time where I didn’t think I could get better," she confessed. The singer was even on medication like Lithium while filming the movie 'A Star Is Born'. She now reflects on that dark period with a profound sense of gratitude, stating, "I feel really lucky to be alive. I know that might sound dramatic, but we know how this can go."
Finding Solace in Love and 'Mayhem'
Her path to healing was significantly aided by her fiancé, Michael Polansky, a Harvard-educated entrepreneur. Gaga credits his unconditional love for her true self, not the celebrity persona, as a turning point. "Being in love with someone that cares about the real me made a very big difference," she said. This relationship forced her to rediscover her identity, a journey she describes as chaotic but essential.
This period of rediscovery directly fueled the creation of her critically acclaimed sixth solo studio album, 'Mayhem'. Released on March 7, 2025, the album is a synth-pop record infused with industrial dance, disco, and rock. Gaga explained that the title perfectly captures the process: "It was months and months and months of rediscovering everything that I’d lost. And I honestly think that’s why it’s called Mayhem. Because what it took to get it back was crazy." The album's success is undeniable, as it is nominated for seven Grammys, including the coveted Album of the Year.
The Ongoing Struggle and Triumph
Despite her recovery, Gaga's struggles with anxiety persist. She shared that her fiancé, Michael, often helps her through intense panic attacks that strike right before she performs. "I see all the fans and I’m in this big dress, and the music is so loud and it’s very dramatic … and for 90 seconds, I have to talk myself out of a panic attack," she revealed.
Her story is a powerful testament to the hidden psychological costs of success and the ongoing work required for mental wellness. Through love, professional help, and channeling her chaos into art with 'Mayhem', Lady Gaga has not only survived but is thriving creatively, earning recognition and, more importantly, finding her way back to herself.
