Lady Gaga Says She Took a Break From Music After 'Endless Work' Became 'Abusive' to Her Body and Mind

By
Harper's Bazaar

Lady Gaga is looking at her celebrity status in a whole new light.

In an essay for Harper's Bazaar, the "Perfect Illusion" singer reveals why she took some time off before creatingher latest album, Joanne.
"I was able to get off the train of endless work I’d been on, which was
quite abusive to my body and my mind, and have some silence and some
space around me," she says of her hiatus. "I wanted to experience music
again the way I did when I was younger, when I just had to make it,
instead of worrying what everybody thinks or being obsessed with things
that aren’t important."


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Gaga goes on to write that being a woman in today's society means "being a fighter" and a "survivor."

"It means letting yourself be vulnerable and acknowledging your shame or that you’re sad or you’re angry. It takes great strength to do that," she says. "Health, happiness, love -- these are the things that are at the heart of a great lady, I think. That’s the kind of lady I want to be."


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Gaga adds, "You know, I never thought I’d say this, but isn’t it time to take off the corsets? As someone who loves them, I think it’s time to take them off."

As for gaining more notoriety, the performer writes that she's no longer out to gain "more attention, more fame, more accolades."

"Fame is the best drug that’s ever existed," she notes. "But once you realize who you are and what you care about, that need for more, more, more just goes away."


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The pop star says that what matters to her now is taking care of those around her. "I provide jobs for people I love very much, and I make music that I hope sends a good message into the world," she continues. "I turned 30 this year, and I’m a fully-formed woman. I have a clear perspective on what I want. That, for me, is success. I want to be somebody who is fighting for what’s true."

This isn't the first time Gaga has spoken about the perils of fame. During an interview with 103.5 KTU in September, she was asked what she thought of Selena Gomez taking a break from her career to deal with anxiety, depression and panic attacks caused by her lupus.


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"I would say that fame is very isolating," Gaga explained. "[It] takes a moment for you to stabilize yourself, especially if you’re really in it for the music or for your craft, because it can be a distraction from all of those things."

"Suddenly, it’s about keeping up with your career," she continued. "Or keeping up with number ones, or being on top."

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