Would You Believe?

If they were not who you were taught that they would be, would you still believe? #Judas

Born This Way

"I'm beautiful in my way, 'cause God makes no mistakes.  I'm on the right track, baby, I was BORN THIS WAY."

~Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga - Time's Most Influential

Time magazine recently announced their annual Top 100 Most Influential People in the World.  And a big congrats goes out to Lady Gaga for topping the list in the Artists category.  Read what fellow singer Cyndi Lauper has to say about her.  It pretty much sums up my feelings about her too:

I first heard the name Lady Gaga through a mutual friend.  He couldn't stop talking about her.  Then I heard her music, and I thought, Wow, I love this kid.  

An artist's job is to take a snapshot - be it through words or sound, lyrics or song - that explains what it's like to be alive at the time.  Lady Gaga's art captures the period we're in right now.  These days, you go to a club and wonder who all these kids are.  They don't seem to have jobs.  How can they afford to be here? Her song "Beautiful, Dirty, Rich" explains that scene.  It's about the New York prep-school party kids she grew up with.  It's where she came from.  Gaga's lyrics are incredibly literary.  When "Bad Romance" starts, the music grabs your ear immediately.  Then she opens with the line "I want your ugly / I want your disease," and all of a sudden you're listening.  Most of the stuff on the radio is not very clever, but Gaga presents her ideas in a sophisticated manner.  She has an incredible pop sensibility.  

People forget how young she is.  She is barely 24 - much younger than I was when I became famous.  It's very tough being where she is right now.  People are pulling her in all different directions.  It's hard to navigate that.  Try to imagine what you were like at her age, if you still can.  I can't wait to see how she grows and what she decides her next act will be.  She only has two albums out, but already she is inspiring other artists to go further in their own work.  

When I see somebody like Gaga, I sit back in admiration.  I'm inspired to pick up the torch again myself.  I did an interview with her once, and she showed up with a sculpture on her head.  I thought, How awesome.  Being around her, I felt like the dust was shaken off of me.  I find it very comforting to sit next to somebody and not have to worry that I look like the freak.  She isn't a pop act, she is a performance artist.  She herself is the art.  She is the sculpture.  

And then she records this video:  

How mature.  Out of all the superficial "heroes" that so many people cast as role models, she picks Deepak Chopra as her hero, a person who actually makes a difference in this world.  And listen to what she says about how she wants to "go beyond the music" and create music that inspires people and touches them spiritually.  I think this shows that Lady Gaga is not just another pop superstar.  She is a human being with something to say, who happens to be a pop superstar.

(If you want to read up on others who made Time's Most Influential List, click here)

Happy News, Sad News

This makes me happy.

This makes me sad.

But, this and this make me very happy again.

Why We Love Lady Gaga

This post is in response to Quinn's question about why Lady Gaga is such a big deal in the gay world.  To be honest, I can't explain why she is such a phenomenon, but I will share with you the reasons why I love her so much.

First and foremost, she makes darn good music.  Plain and simple.  She is a genius at writing the most catchy tunes that will undoubtedly stay in your head for days afterward.  It takes a lot of talent to write so many unforgettable songs.  Most songs nowadays lack that power to stay with you; you hear them and once the next song comes on, you've already forgotten it.  I would not be exaggerating if I said that every song on Lady Gaga's The Fame Monster album has, at one point or another, gotten stuck in my mind.  The fact that she has 2 Grammy awards, 5 number one hits (4 in 2009 alone, the most ever in one calendar year), and has sold over 8 million records is impressive.  But to do it all by the time you are 23?  Now that takes some talent.

Second, she is a talented vocalist.  Lady Gaga is not some product of post-studio computerization like so many music "stars" today.  Have you ever heard Taylor Swift sing live?  She writes decent music, but she can't perform live.  Just take a look at her horrible showing at this year's Grammy's.  And Britney Spears, while her music is a guilty pleasure of mine, was caught lip syncing at a recent concert.  But Lady Gaga, on the other hand, can not only sing, but she can recreate her songs so they always sound new and fresh.  For example, check out this acoustic version of "Paparazzi."  And check out her piano skills!

Next, Lady Gaga absolutely refuses to play it safe.  Everything she does is a risk.  So far, she has not given in to the pressure to things "by the books."  That's why she has risen to the top so fast.  Her music is not the color-by-number songs that most of the music industry is used to doing.  She can pump it up on the dance floor with strong, upbeat songs like "Bad Romance" or "Poker Face."  She can also bring it down a notch and sing a song to evoke emotions out of the listener.  A great example is "Speechless" which she wrote to convince her father to undergo open-heart surgery.  Listen to it knowing that and I dare you not to feel greater appreciation for your parents.

Her cryptic and unusual mannerisms keep us guessing at every turn.  I still don't understand what she is all about, and I'm pretty sure that I don't want to.  Maybe once we understand why she is the way she is, we will no longer be intrigued by her.  In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Lady Gaga said, "In truth, there's nothing to understand about what I do.  It's whatever you think it is.  So if it inspires a reckoning about pop culture, music, feminism, gay culture...the point is to make a point."  So, pretty much, we may never understand what she's all about, which would be ideal.  Take from her what you will, and I will take what I will, because that's exactly what she wants.

I absolutely love that she is working so intensely on HIV/AIDS awareness.  This is something that unfortunately has been under the radar in the entertainment industry since the early 90's and Lady Gaga is trying to get attention to the disease once again, because, guess what, it still kills people.

Last, her fashion.  Again, in this area, Lady Gaga refuses to do what society tells her to do.  She embodies the rebelliousness in all of us.  Whenever she makes an appearance, the world waits on pins and needles to see what outrageous and over-the-top costume she comes out with.  While her costumes may be outrageous and over-the-top, they certainly are fun.  Most of her outfits also carry social statements, like her Kermit the Frog outfit (a statement against fur) or her Fire Bra (a commentary on the female body as a weapon).  Here are some other of Lady Gaga's most outrageous costumes.

When asked in an interview about why she is so outrageous, Lady Gaga spoke of her earlier years in grade school.  "I just felt like a freak, I guess what I'm trying to say is I want to liberate them [kids who are different], I want to free them of their fears and make them feel that they can create their own space in the world."  Thank you Lady Gaga for those amazing words of encouragement.  Thank you for letting us realize, through you, that just because we are different, just because I am gay, we can still be ourselves and we shouldn't be afraid of it.

So, there are many aspects to Lady Gaga that make me adore her.  And it may be that these are reasons why you can't stand her, which I will respect.  There are many popular artists out there that I don't care for, but I am sure you could list reasons why you like them so, like I have done.

"And now, I'm just trying to change the world, one sequin at a time."  ~~ Lady Gaga ~~

Gaga & Honey B. Strike Again!

Gay Christmas came early last night in the form of Lady Gaga's newest music video "Telephone!" Thank you Lady Gaga for another entertaining and visually stunning music video (or rather, a nine-and-a-half minute short film with a song in it).  Gaga & Honey B, oh how you made my day.

"You know what they say, once you kill the cow, you gotta make a burger."

Warning! This music video does contain foul language and partial nudity. So watch at your own risk, and please don't get mad at me if you get offended.

Gaga in Wonderland!

Holy Crap! I almost wet myself in excitement and amazement when I saw this. Oh how I pray to the gods that this could be a real movie. So, enjoy this fake "trailer" and all it's Gaga-lisciousness.

I am a Monster

I am a Monster*. I found Lady Gaga's Heartbeats headphones and just had to buy them. Who am I kidding? I'm not gonna wear these in public. And why did I feel obligated to buy a brand new set of headphones when I have a perfectly good set already? They are really good headphones; I really enjoy how my music sounds when I wear them, but just take a look at them. I admit, they look stylish, but a little too much for a guy to be wearing around (especially here at BYU).

*A Monster is what Lady Gaga calls her die-hard fans. I am a full-fledged monster because I spent too much money on something I do not need just because it is a product of Her Majesty.

RIP Alexander McQueen

Iconic fashion designer Alexander McQueen, 40, was found dead in his London home earlier this morning.

Where would the world be without those amazing 10-inch heels from Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" video?

Johnny Weir

Admittedly, I am not a huge fan of figure skating. I appreciate the sport and understand why people enjoy it so. However, the sensation that is Johnny Weir could possibly get me into the sport. Not only is he cute, but he can perform his ass off while on the ice. Just watch this video for proof:

Good luck next month in Vancouver, Johnny! I will be watching and cheering you on!

Our Lady of Gaga

This post is dedicated to the patron Saint of homosexuals everywhere, Our Lady of Gaga.

May she reign supreme forever and always.

Thanks!

To those I hung out with last night: Thank you! I really did have a great time. I'm sorry if I seemed a little stand-offish, but I was totally nervous and I am am very shy. It was my first time hanging out with a group of gay guys like myself. I just want you to know that I really did enjoy myself and I would really like to hang out with you all again. It may take time for me to open up and completely be myself; trust me, I am not always as quiet and shy as I was last night.

So,

- for making me feel welcome,

- for seeing Temple Square lights in the bitter and unbearable cold,

- for adventures with flat tires,

- for fun conversations,

- for Our Lady of GaGa,

- for BBQ chicken pizza,

- and for Drop Dead Gorgeous,

I say thank you! Thank You!