International pop sensation Lady Gaga has made a startling revelation about her mental health struggles during the filming of the acclaimed movie A Star Is Born, stating she feels "really lucky to be alive" after experiencing a severe psychotic crisis.
The Lithium-Fuelled Performance
The 39-year-old artist, born Stefani Germanotta, disclosed that she was taking the mood-stabilising medication lithium throughout the production of the hit film that earned her an Oscar win for the song Shallow and a best actress nomination. Despite her professional success, Gaga's personal life was in turmoil, eventually leading to her hospitalisation for psychiatric care.
"I did A Star Is Born on lithium," Gaga told Rolling Stone magazine, where she appears on the cover for the fourth time. The turning point came when her sister expressed concern, telling her "I don't see my sister anymore" - a moment that highlighted the severity of her condition.
Tour Cancellation and Recovery Journey
The mental health crisis forced the Abracadabra singer to make the difficult decision to cancel her Joanne world tour in February 2018. This professional setback followed her headline performance during Super Bowl LI in Houston in February 2017, indicating the crisis had been building for some time.
"I completely crashed. It was really scary," Gaga recalled of her hospitalisation. "There was a time where I didn't think I could get better. I needed to take a break. I couldn't do anything."
The New York native has since made a remarkable recovery and now describes herself as "a healthy, whole person". She credits part of her wellness to her relationship with fiancé Michael Polansky, whom she plans to marry and start a family with.
Newfound Stability and Future Plans
"Being in love with someone that cares about the real me made a very big difference," Gaga shared. "How do you learn how to be yourself with someone when you don't know how to be yourself with anyone?"
The singer, currently on her Mayhem Ball US and Europe tour, expressed excitement about her future, particularly about starting a family. "Being a mum is the thing I want the most, and he's gonna be a beautiful father. We're really excited about that," she revealed.
Polansky confirmed their wedding plans, indicating they aim to tie the knot either during or shortly after the conclusion of the Mayhem Ball tour. Gaga's feature in Rolling Stone comes after her song Mayhem received seven Grammy nominations, marking another professional high in her career.
