Dear Monsters, “What moves those of genius, what inspires their work is not new ideas, but their obsession with the idea that what has already been said is still not enough.” - Eugene Delacroix Does this make us all geniuses? I’m assuming since you bought this magazine you have an unhealthy obsession with Gaga. I came across this quote and instantly thought about Mother Monster and the obsession with not only us as fans but her artistry. As monsters, obsession is a part of us, and we need more. In sparse times such as now, obsession can die or thrive. I pray it thrives for you all so upon Gaga’s return, we can be bigger than ever. Within this issue, there are many thank you’s to be given; to the article writers themselves for crafting such excellent pieces of journalism. To a brand new member of our team; Alexandria, a proof reader who makes sure everything is of a high quality. To Lewis our sales director. To you, our loyal customers, and to Gaga. Thank you all. BK Editor of GAGAMagazine.
THANK YOU
It is a name all Little Monsters know: Joanne. When Lady Gaga came into the pop music scene, everyone was dying to know what her real name was. Even on the Jonathan Ross show in 2009 Gaga would not reveal her “real” name because she said Gaga was who she is, who she has always been, and everyone calls her Gaga. No one knows exactly how Gaga’s real name got out, but any Little Monster now easily knows her to be Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. From the beginning of Gaga’s rise to stardom, she always credited her talent to a family member named Joanne Germanotta. At first, no one knew who Joanne Germanotta was. Once Gaga started opening up and revealing more information to her fans, she revealed that her dad’s sister [Joanne], whom she had never met, passed away at an early age of 19 due to Lupus, and this was the lovely lady she had been referring to. Gaga says that although she never got to
meet her aunt, Joanne lives inside her, and that her lively spirit that she has heard about through family stories comes out through Gaga in her music and performances.
but less formal than a ristorante. Many Little Monsters have been lucky enough to experience the relaxing, welcoming vibe and authentic taste(made by Chef Art Smith and at times Joe himself) of an Italian restaurant, and one Little Monster shares her story. Whitney Willets from North Carolina, a true Little Monster since late 2008, visited Joanne Trattoria and told us about her whole experience.
Now Joanne’s name lives through Gaga, as well as through a family business. On February 1, 2012, Gaga’s parents Joe and Cynthia Germanotta - opened up Joanne Trattoria in New York City. A trattoria is an Italian-style eatery that is more formal than an osteria (which normally only serves wine and simple food),
What made you decided to visit Joanne Trattoria? “I decided to go to Joanne’s because I had of course heard about it from Gaga, and I was on vacation in NYC with friends and wanted to experience it and our hotel was right around the corner!”
What was the atmosphere like? “The atmosphere was very warm and inviting, beautifully lit, and quite fancy actually, but nothing you really have to ‘dress to the nines’ for. I remember the brick walls, and the nice lights, and hardwood floors, and framed pictures all around.” How would you rate your overall experience based on a five star scale? “I would rate my experience at a four for overall.” What did you order? “I ordered the spaghetti and meatballs, mac and cheese (to die for), and zeppoles with nutella for dessert.”
Did you get to meet any of the Germanottas? “I saw Cynthia Germanotta very briefly and Joe Germanotta came to our table. What did Joe have to say? “Joe just asked us how our meal was, where we were from etc. He was super friendly and just wanted to make sure everything was to our satisfaction.” Were there any Gaga related things in the restaurant? “I think they had some old family photos of Gaga with her family and such, but other than that I really can’t remember. I didn’t get to see the whole restaurant.”
of the gaga wine” on the website. The wine, however has nothing to do with Lady Gaga herself, the name of the wine does of course fit the part. The Gaga wine is offered in a blanc, rosé, and rouge. The reviews are outstanding for the wine. Of course we would not expect the Germanotta’s to have anything less than fantastic. If you want good homemade Italian meals, great service, and a warm atmosphere, Joanne is located on 70West 68th Street, between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue. They are closed Mondays but dinner is served Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. For more details you can check the website at www.joannenyc.com.
How were the prices? “The prices were well, very pricey, but well worth it.”
Would you go back to Joanne Trattoria?
How was the service? “The service was INCREDIBLE. My waitress, Megan, was so sweet and even talked about meeting Gaga with me, and how much she loved working for the Germanottas.
“I would for sure go back! Best restaurant I’ve eaten at in NYC, hands down. Joanne’s has such soul, and such a warm atmosphere and energy; I would recommend it to anyone. It may be expensive but Chef Art Smith really is incredible, and it’s beautiful inside and is located in such a great part of NYC.”
Also, on Twitter you can follow Joe Germanotta (@germanottajoe), Cynthia Germanotta (@momgerm), or you can follow Joanne Trattoria directly (@JoanneTrattoria).These three accounts tweet regularly about Joanne dinner specials, events, and other miscellaneous information. Go out and help support the lovely Germanotta family while enjoying a good meal and great company.
Joanne proudly says that it is “the home
- Kala Godwin.
AN INTERVIEW WITH MONSTERS SARA STEGMAN
IDance. remember the first Lady Gaga song that I ever heard, Just At the time I was in high school marching band and after Friday night football games (American football), it was like clockwork. The song would come on the radio and I would listen it on my way home always around 11:30 p.m. It had been a strange ritual that I always looked forward to. However, as much as I liked the song, at that point, I did not know how much I liked Lady Gaga herself. What if she didn’t sound good live or what if she simply didn’t last long in the music industry? By the time I heard Bad Romance, I felt like I could call myself a fan. I didn’t feel as if I could say I was a Little Monster until I saw the Monster Ball live.
Thanks to the internet, it was become easier for Little Monsters from all over the world to meet and connect with each other. Through this connection, the fan base grew into what is in some ways more like a community, a unique movement in the world of pop culture even by today’s standards. It’s always interesting to hear other’s stories and experiences. How did so many people from all over the world become part of the same fan base? As similar and unified as monsters often feel with each other, each person is still vastly different from each other and come from different walks of life. What drew them all to this music and, more importantly, to this artist? So I hit the World Wide Web and asked for anyone who would be willing to do a mini interview of sorts; I asked two questions: 1. What was the first Lady Gaga song you heard? 2. What was the song that made you a fan and why? This is how they answered.
@darylamenfashion1996 via littlemonsters.com Well personally I became a fan at the start of the Fame Monster Era bad romance change the way I appreciate music and my first gaga song I heard was just dance xx. @aceib17 via littlemonsters.com 1:i first heard just dance for like 7 or 8 seconds it was on a “Inside the Music” WB interview, that also included cuts from paparazzi and poker face, and 2: while I was watching the HBO special on YOUTUBE, (first actual performance I ever watched) and she stared with “dance in the dark” but I also knew that I was a fan when, during “paparazzi” I was almost tearing up, then suddenly I just snap out of it and I thought, WTF! I got so moved by this woman, that I actually cried in front of my computer! And now here I am. @audifan8595 via littlemonsters.com First song I heard was Just Dance at a school dance in 7th grade (maybe?) and I didn’t know it was Gaga, didn’t know who she was. I actually thought it was Rihanna. I’m not a pop person, I prefer punk rock and metal and post-hardcore so I honestly have no idea who sings what, aside from Gaga really, in the pop genre. The song that made me a fan was Born This Way when she sang it at the Grammy’s. I know, that makes me a new-ish Monster, but I’m just as head-overheels as older Monsters. It made me a fan because it gave me the bravery to confront myself about my sexual orientation. The song made me realize that how I feel about girls is okay. I felt loved and accepted by Gaga and her fans, I realized there was a place for me. :) @sergio1234 via littlemonsters.com First song I heard was just dance and it was from a friend at school. The song that made me a fan was all of them they are all amazing and she is an inspirational person who supports the gay community and is always there for us little monsters. :D @mil3z via littlemonsters.com Poker face in the car on the way for some beer and Thai cuisine 2.bad romance the fashion charisma and cinematography +dancers. And of course the annoying oh oh oh o ooohhh. @fanny via littlemonsters.com The first song was POKER FACE and the first time I saw Gaga on TV with LOVE GAME I was in love with her and them I became a LITTLE MONSTER. The first Gaga song I heard was Paparazzi! The song Born This Way made me a super fan because it finally made me realize who I was. @kikimcheeky2 via littlemonsters.com First heard Just Dance. Became a big fan with a live performance of Poker Face. Became fully obsessed with Bad Romance. I would like to thank all the monsters who did this interview, thank you for sharing your stories.
Hey, guys. I’m Logan Constanti from Brisbane Australia, and this is my story about life on the road for the Born This Way Ball.
cold, and staying at the venue was my life for the Australian leg of the tour. But the most amazing thing that has ever happened in my life was being a Key holder for the secMy first stop on the road to love was ond Brisbane show. I not only met Auckland, New Zealand. I went to and a chatted with Lady Gaga, the ball in Auckland on the 7th, 8th and 10th of June, 2012. This was my 2nd time in NZ, and I took a three hour flight to get there. I got into Auckland the day before, so I sadly missed out on seeing Gaga making her way to her hotel. These 3 shows did not have a monster pit, so it was very different since Gaga had to stay on the front stage. I really liked it, however, because you had everything right in front of you. The New Zealand crowd was awesome. I met all 3 key winners and I remember saying to them I would never get a key as I couldn’t sleep out in the cold. The shows were amazing and had a great time with the NZ monsters, but it was a short stay and I had to get back to Australia, as we were next in line for the BTWB... but when she walked up to me with After New Zealand, it was my the key, Gaga said that I was one out hometown in Australia’s turn for of 15 to have the key, and only 110 the show. The Brisbane shows were would be given out over BTWB! held on June 13th, 14th and 16th, She put it around my neck and it 2012. Getting up early, living in the took her some time. She apologized
for it taking so long, but I said, “No, take your time! I have so much to say to you!” I told her about my 17 shows and how it was because of her that I had the key and was standing right in front of her. She asked why, so I told her I had been thinking I would never get the key, but I told her that I said to myself, “Fuck it. I can do it and I want it.” She loved that and gave me a huge hug and said to me:
“You can do anything. Believe in yourself.”
She was so sweet. She knew about me because I had met members of the haus who had told her about me. All of the haus members I met were so happy that I got the key and said that if I was going to 17 shows, I wouldn’t be a real monster if I didn’t manage to get a key with so many opportunities. We were all so happy, and I kept saying to them, “I GOT THE KEY!!!”
nal handwriting. The tattooist was very cool and liked Gaga, which was a great sign that they would be perfect for the job. After getting the tattoo, I was lucky enough to go backstage once more to show her my new tattoo. I don’t think she thought
Next Stop: Melbourne
“I WON’T DIE BUT I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT YOU.”
My next stop was in Sydney for the shows on the 20th, 21st, 23rd, and 24th of June, 2012. It was early morning, and I picked up the newspaper to read my astrology sign. I rarely look at it, but that day I did, and found this: “Pisces - You have many talents, but they won’t truly blossom until you nurture and develop them with the help of a mentor. When will the teacher appear? When the student is ready!”
Thank you to Logan for this great account of his events the rest of his story will continue in the next issue. Feel free to follow him @LoganNightC
I kept the paper with my astrology reading with me the entire Gaga tour because if you read it, it sums up my life and the tour. It also showed me what Gaga had brought to my life. Then something even more amazing happened in Sydney on June 23rd, 2012. I was lucky enough to go backstage a 2nd time, and this time I told Gaga to write something for me to get tattooed. On my left arm, Gaga wrote, “I won`t die, but i can`t live without you. Lady Gaga”. Then the next day, I didn’t take a shower or anything, as I wanted the tattoo to be completely in her origi-
I’ve never done for any other artist. The tour helped me find more inner strength. The whole experience was more than just a tour. The Born This Way Ball was a personal experience that extended past the music and was all about me.
I would do it, but when I showed her, she fucking loved it and said, “YES! You got it Tattooed.” Then she grabbed me, and we took the most amazing photo that showed off both of our arm tattoos. After such an amazing experience, it was time for me to say goodbye to Sydney. I have done things on this tour that
Elton John and Gaga have been good friends for years and have collaborated many times, the first being at the 52nd Grammy Award Ceremony. Their rendition of “Speechless” - which was accompanied by Elton’s classic “Your Song” - has become a fan favourite over the years. Elton, born 25th March, 1947, has sung live with Gaga at events such as ‘The Rainforest Fund’ with other legends such as Springsteen, Sting, and Shirley Basset. Elton, who has more than 50 top 40 hits and 9 number 1’s, beats Gaga’s 5 Grammy awards with his total of 6. Elton has commented on Gaga’s work saying: “I’d love to [work with her] in the future, She and I come from exactly the same place. She’s kind of like the bastard daughter of Elton John. I love her, and I love her ability to write. There’s a chance I might do one track with her, but she’s so busy and I’m so busy, we can never get together!” This track did manage to come together for the Disney film “Gnomeon & Juliet” and is titled “Hello, Hello”. Elton commented on
the track, “She had fun with it and changed it a little bit and brought her own personality to it, so she gave Juliet that personality.”
shoot to be revealed in what can only be described as sooty chic. The two then shared a dual ended piano whilst performing both their epic ballads ‘Your Song’ and ‘Speechless’. The performance finished with ‘How wonderful life is, with Gaga in the world.’ sung by Elton followed by ‘Thank you, I love you. Sir Elton John.’ The The two have became friends relationship that these two stars personally as well as profession- have is admirable as there isn’t a ally. From the little that Gaga pairing of the same calibre. The has revealed about their relapair are set for future collaborationship, we know that she has tions; Gaga revealed on Alan become Godmother to Elton’s Carr’s: Chatty Man that she sons. Elton commented on had played a song for Elton and the decision, saying ‘Zachary’s asked him to sing a duet with going to inherit an incredible her. She also revealed in an inmusical legacy from his father terview on the radio show ‘On one day, and she will be a good Air with Ryan Seacrest’ that she person to guide him through had written lyrics for Elton, but the ins and outs of the music he was free to change his lines if business, because she sure he wanted to. knows everything about the business now.’ During their opening performance of 52nd Grammy Award Ceremony, the two shared a stage and a piano. Opening with a solo performance of ‘Poker Face’, the audience saw Gaga thrown down a trash
‘I LOVE HER AND HER ABILITY TO WRITE.’
Both Gaga and Elton were included into an episode of hit cartoon ‘The Simpsons’. The pair, along with Elton’s partner David, were attending the Golden Globe Awards within the sketch. It was Gaga’s debut episode of ‘The Simpsons’, however she returned recently for a very special episode practically dedicated to her. Elton has commented on regards to Gaga’s health, stating that he does worry about her. He has even spoken to her parents, Cynthia and Joe, about her wellbeing.
“I look at GaGa and I think, ‘How does she do it?’ I talk to her mum and dad about it. They worry. She is frail, and she doesn’t eat when she should, and she’s a girl, and it’s tougher for a girl. She works really hard. She will be in Denmark one night and Saudi Arabia the next. I know how tiny she is and I do worry about her, yes.”
“She’s a great role model, she’s young and she’s been a great godmother to Zachary.” “She’s a great role model, she’s young and she’s been a great godmother to Zachary. We’re all bookers in this business, but we’re human beings at the same time.” Elton can often be found praising Gaga and her human touch that other stars of the same level as Gaga and Elton can often lack. Recently Elton has defended Gaga against digs from Madonna, an artist Gaga admires. Elton commented: “She’s been so horrible to Gaga,” and later commented, “Her career’s over. And she looks like a f---ing fairground
stripper.” In recent events Both David and Elton have chosen Gaga to be the Godmother of their second child Elijah, she obviously must be doing a good job. The friendship is obviously special on both ends. With two artists that are as talented as Gaga and Elton, I think we can expect great things in the future not only in terms of music, but in friendship and art.
“I DO WORRY ABOUT HER.”
Lady Gaga has always been fascinated with the darker side of fame, the other half of all the glamour, and admiration. The part of fame that deals with the want, greed, desire, addiction, stress, and even death; In short, the part that swallows you whole and has destroyed many a pop icons. Since Gaga’s first album, The Fame, the singer has noted these dark pieces of her industry. The want and need to be famous like the song The Fame, the willingness to do anything to stay in the limelight like Paparazzi, or the song Vanity which does not hail to any of her title albums but still notes on the New York club scene and the need to always look fabulous. Even in the albums The Fame Monster and Born This Way there are dark undertones as in the song So Happy I Could Die which, in addition to its sexual references, mainly discusses what happens in addiction and moments of oblivion. Fashion of His Love, though very upbeat with its almost 80’s sounding music, is actually a tribute to the singer’s late friend the fashion designer Alexander
McQueen. Marry The Night, a song about inner strength, also ties in Gaga’s decision to say no to the stereotype of being famous and living in Hollywood; the song’s music video is an autobiographical, portraying a difficult time in Lady Gaga’s life after she was dropped from her first record label.
‘I PRAY THE FAME WON’T TAKE MY LIFE.’ One of the newest songs released and a possible contender to be on the upcoming album ARTPOP, Princess Die, was introduced during the Australian leg of the Born This Way Ball in Melbourne. The song’s beautiful haunting melody, set to piano and melancholy lyrics, is a tribute to “all the really amazing people that we have lost to Fame” as stated by Gaga at one of the shows in Amsterdam Holland. The song openly contemplates on suicidal thoughts, while still trying to keep a glamorous façade. It is probably one of the grimmest pieces Lady Gaga has sung yet.
Taking these dark topics beyond the music, Lady Gaga is well-known for her dramatic performances and incorporating her thoughts on fame. Perhaps one of her most iconic performances will forever be the 2009 VMA performance of Paparazzi. Gaga staged her own death for the whole world to see in a way that mimicked the song’s music video with its eyecatching color symbolism, choice of props, and choreography before finally featuring Gaga bleeding to death on stage in a way that was both artistic and frightening. The tours themselves also play upon this dark part of fame. In the opening scene of the Monster Ball, the stage is set as a dingy back alley in Brooklyn, New York. However, looking at the details of the set, the audience audience could also see amongst the advertisements for shady business and flashing lights the blood filled syringes that make up the banister of the stair case.
duet of Paparazzi.
As Lady Gaga descends the stairs, the neon signs glow in protest to the artist. Later on in the show’s finale Lady Gaga is attacked by a giant animatronic puppet known as the Fame Monster, which she defeats by enlisting the help of the audience by telling them to use their cameras and “take the monster’s picture” as she sings Paparazzi. After the performance, she erupts from a trap door in the floor wearing the famous Pyro-bra which ultimately kills the monster. The Born This Way Ball hosts a similar finale with the death of the satellite Mother G.O.A.T. whom, after acting as narrator and stalking Gaga throughout the show, is defeated in one final showdown against Gaga who kills Mother G.O.A.T. using a new and alien like version of the Disco Stick - all while the two sing a
with fan base famous for its loyalty to her. In the North American leg of the Born This Way Ball, Gaga screamed:
One of Lady Gaga’s most recent achievements is the overwhelming success of her new perfume. Fame, a special creation that is the first of its kind; a black perfume that sprays clear. “Black like the soul of fame, but invisible once airborne” as noted by the singer is housed in a sleek yet alien bottle with an intriguing gold cap, a bottle well befitting a perfume that is supposed to embody the darker half of fame. The scent also plays into this. It smells floral and beautiful, yet dark and desirable - a strange combination that creates and addicting scent. It seems strange that Gaga is so fascinated with fame and its dark side, but maybe her success is a result of her embracing the fame. She has become a name known throughout the world
“Say my name I can’t live without the fame!” during the song Bloody Mary. Maybe it’s true. - Sara Stegman.
On September 20, 2010, Lady Gaga took a stand for equality yet again. At that point in time, “DADT” (Don’t ask Don’t tell) was a law in the United States. Put simply, DADT meant that if you were of the LGBT Community, you were expected not to say anything concerning your sexuality without risking being discharged for disrupting the military. Thankfully, this law has been repealed, and those who were discharged for being a “disruption” were honored. But as much as we like to think of the good, it is always important to remember the past and the stand for equality.
Doesn’t it seem to be that “don’t ask, don’t tell” is backwards? Doesn’t it seem to be that, based on the Constitution of the United States, that we’re penalizing the wrong soldier? Doesn’t it seem to you that
we should send home the prejudiced, straight soldier instead?
The straight soldier’s performance in the military is affected because of homophobia and prejudice, not because of his fellow soldier belonging to the The “Prime Rib of America” LGBT community. In the milispeech given by Gaga most defi- tary where soldiers are asked to nitely holds some very valuable hold core American values, yet points that Little Monsters can he instead is rewarded for holdabide by today. In the speech, ing and harboring hate. Does it Lady Gaga says, “So what this make any sense that he gets to means is, that they’re saying that stay and fight for our country? straight soldiers feel uncomfort- He gets the honor, but we gay able around gay soldiers, and soldiers, who harbor no hatred, sometimes it causes tension, no prejudice, no phobia, we’re hostility and possible perforsent home?” mance inadequacies for straight soldiers who are homophobic… I will, for a moment, entertain this debate…
And this speech’s meaning goes deeper than a single law against LGBT+. What Gaga is trying to ask is, why should a person, who has no intention of spreading hate or harming anyone, penalized based on his or her sexuality? At the same time, someone who was intentionally prejudice or is full of hate was honored was not punished under DADT. It seems that this applies to all sorts of settings - not just in the army. In everyday life, people are bullied or harassed because of their sexuality, and no one seems to care about what happens to them. Most homophobic people say, “This is your choice. You should just hide your sexuality if you don’t want to get harassed.” And of course, the person who is doing the bullying looks
“cool” or “tough” and is often put on a pedestal. However, that is not the point. It is disappointing, as an American citizen, to see this happening in my society, and the government supporting the hatred. We as a global society should fight towards equality. Knowing our Mother Monster, she wanted to prove a point in express her opinions on these issues.
life has to offer. We are all of the same species. Someone’s sexuality (which has no effect on you personally) should not determine whether that person deserves your respect and decency.
“OBAMA, ARE YOU LISTENING!?”
At the 2010 MTV Video Thank you to queenxshiza for Music Awards while acceptwriting this article on behalf ing her award for Video of the of GAGAMagazine. Year, she wore a dress made of meat. The dress represented the fight for equality and social freedom. I think the lesson learned from this entire statement - through both her words and fashion choice - is that we all deserve the same piece of high-quality meat this
HAUS FOCUS: MARK KANEMURA
Born on September 17th 1983, Mark Kanemura is arguably Gaga’s most well-known dancer. In under 6 years, Mark has accomplished things that many can only dream of. The Hawaiian born Kanemura is a professional contemporary and jazz dancer, but has studied several other areas of dance such as ballet, modern, funk, hip hop and street styles. He says his biggest inspiration would be Bob Fosse, an American actor, dancer, musical theatre choreographer, director, screenwriter, film editor, and film director. He first discovered his love for dancing while studying musical theatre in Hawaii. Unfortunately, when he reached puberty his voice began to develop and mature, which made him uncomfortable singing in musical theatre. At this point, he found “the dancing aspect [of musical theatre] to be very appealing.” Since then, he has gone on to appear on numerous television shows. The most notorious of said television shows being So You Think You Can Dance 2008. Paired up with Chelsie Hightower, they performed one of the shows most memorable performances to the song Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis. Although being eliminated on July 31st 2008, the show propelled Marks career in dance forward. As you already know, Mark is now part of Gaga’s Haus. Mark’s first performance with Gaga was at the 2009 Video Music Awards in which Gaga bled to death on stage to the song Paparazzi, creating one of the shows most iconic and memorable performances. Aside from performing at the Monster Ball Tour, Born This Way Ball Tour, and many televised shows with his long term partner Jeremy Hudson. He has also appeared in many post-The Fame era music videos, most notable of which include Judas, Telephone, and Marry The Night. Apart from dancing with Gaga, Mark has also gone on to dance for other artists such as Beyoncé, Keri Hilson, Janet Jackson, Carrie Underwood, and Katy Perry. Probably his most memorable performance with Gaga is their live duet-style performance of The Edge of Glory on American Idol. The performance features a shirtless Mark dancing with Gaga to the beat of The Edge of Glory. The performance ended with Gaga and Mark jumping off a raised platform and landing in a “pit”. Within the space of approximately 5 years, Mark has been catapulted into dancing stardom and we here hope to see plenty more of Mark in the near future. -Potentialpop (tumblr)
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