Lady Gaga has openly discussed the challenges she faced during her early rise to fame. In a recent interview, she reflected on how the music industry impacted her life, stating, “The music industry took over my life when I was younger. It took me far away from myself and I had to endure a lot and it hardened me, for sure. It took me a while to find my feet.”
Beyond the pressures of the industry, Gaga also endured personal traumas. At 19, she was raped by a producer, an experience that led to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She has been open about her struggles with mental health, attributing her PTSD to this incident and crediting support from doctors, family, and friends for helping her cope.
Additionally, during her university years, Gaga faced bullying. Peers created a Facebook group titled “Stefani Germanotta, you will never be famous,” mocking her aspirations and appearance. This took a toll on her mental health, but she has since used these experiences to advocate against bullying and support mental health awareness.
Despite these hardships, Gaga has channeled her experiences into her art. Her seventh studio album, “Mayhem,” released on March 7, 2025, reflects her journey and evolution as an artist, marking a return to her musical roots.