Lady Gaga, who has now moved on from her drag persona Jo Calderone, recently opened up about the significance of this alter ego in her life. The 38-year-old pop icon revealed that Jo Calderone played a crucial role in helping her navigate her thoughts and emotions about men.
In a candid interview with Them on Thursday, March 6th, the Bad Romance hitmaker shared, “That was actually kind of a big moment for me as a woman—to put all the pent-up fear or anger I had about relationships into one character.” Lady Gaga explained that the edgy, chain-smoking persona she introduced during her Born This Way era allowed her to explore the complexities of relationships in a unique way.
Discussing her music videos, Lady Gaga reflected on how her 2011 hit “Yoü and I” marked a significant shift in her artistic expression. “That was actually, I think, the first video that I ever did where I played multiple versions of myself, and I brought that back on Mayhem. But Jo Calderone was an important character for me. It’s the way I explored what I was looking for in men and also what I was maybe lacking in myself.”
Although Lady Gaga has left Jo Calderone behind, she expressed gratitude for the character, saying, “That persona is no longer with me, but I wish Jo Calderone all the best.”
Further into the conversation, Lady Gaga shared insights about her upcoming album Mayhem, explaining how it represents a departure from her 2016 album Joanne. “I was trying to make a home for myself during Joanne, and it was almost like I became a completely new version of me. I think that was a hard time for some of my fans because it felt so different from the ‘me’ they knew. But it was something I really needed.”
Now, with Mayhem set to release on March 7th, Lady Gaga described her current mindset as being stronger and more self-assured. “I feel much more confident and sure of who I am on Mayhem.” Fans eagerly anticipate this new chapter in Lady Gaga’s artistic journey, as she continues to redefine herself and her music.
