Lady Gaga recently responded to her former NYU classmates who created an “Old Facebook Group” titled “Stefani Germanotta, you will never be famous.”
The Grammy award-winning artist, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, addressed the existence of the “Old Facebook Group” this week, saying, “Some people I went to college (with) made this way back when.”
Gaga used the moment to encourage others, saying: “This is why you can’t give up when people doubt you or put you down—gotta keep going.”
Her comments came after a viral TikTok post on Tuesday, September 10, showcased the infamous “Old Facebook Group” that insulted the singer. The group’s cover photo was an old image of Gaga, then Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, as a younger, brunette woman with a black X over her face.
The next slide in the TikTok post contrasted the negativity from the “Old Facebook Group” by showing a triumphant photo of Gaga holding an Oscar, accompanied by a list of her numerous accolades, including 13 Grammy Awards, two Golden Globes, and 18 MTV Video Music Awards. Fans praised her for overcoming the ridicule from the “Old Facebook Group” and achieving remarkable success.
“Success is the best revenge,” one fan commented.
“She’s not just famous, she’s THE FAME,” another added.
The “Old Facebook Group,” created by her classmates from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, had only 12 members at the time of the screenshot, and has since been deleted.
Lady Gaga, who started singing and playing piano at a young age, has spoken openly about being bullied throughout her school years. She received early admission to NYU after performing at open mic nights in clubs during high school, and has always been candid about how such experiences, like the “Old Facebook Group,” shaped her journey and fueled her determination to succeed.
In other related news, Lady Gaga, the renowned American musician, opened up about her past fears of remaining alone “forever” due to the challenges associated with her fame. The 38-year-old star recently announced her engagement to Michael Polansky, marking a significant turn in her personal life.
Lady Gaga shared her emotional journey, stating, “I kind of thought I was going to have to do this all by myself—forever. And that was really scary. Because it’s a big life. And I don’t think anyone really knows what it feels like unless you’re in it. And I don’t have to do this alone anymore.” She described her fiancé as a “totally supportive, loving human being” who sought to understand her beyond her celebrity persona. She added, “I’d been so focused on my career since I was a teenager. And the gift of that time was that I got to completely focus on my relationship. I met this totally supportive, loving human being who wanted to get to know me—outside of Lady Gaga.”
The introduction to Michael Polansky was made by her mother, and it brought a new kind of love into Gaga’s life. The singer, who recently delighted audiences at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony and began rolling out her seventh studio album, was seen beaming with joy alongside her fiancé at their red carpet debut at the Venice International Film Festival. After months of speculation, the couple confirmed their engagement, with Gaga’s radiant smile nearly eclipsing her stunning diamond ring.
The couple made a dramatic entrance, dressed in a black, voluminous Christian Dior Haute Couture gown with a plunging neckline. Gaga accessorized with Tiffany diamonds and a striking Philip Treacy headpiece, creating a couture Maleficent look. Polansky complemented her appearance in a classic tuxedo. Gaga was in Venice to premiere her latest film, Joker: Folie à Deux, where she stars as Harley Quinn opposite Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck. The film, a musical exploration of madness and romance, highlights a relationship that is as tumultuous as it is intense.
The confirmation of Gaga’s engagement came after she was seen referring to Polansky as her fiancé in a video taken at the Olympics. Fans were thrilled to see the couple’s red carpet appearance and eagerly await more of their public moments together. A source close to the couple shared, “They’re great together. He’s excited and supportive of her career. Although he doesn’t enjoy the spotlight, he allows her to shine. He has his own business priorities, which she supports. They both would love to have a family.”
Meanwhile, Lady Gaga addressed recent speculation about her expecting a baby. After photos from her sister’s wedding sparked rumours, Gaga took to TikTok to clarify, humorously referencing Taylor Swift’s song “Down Bad.” She joked, “I’m not pregnant—just down bad cryin’ at the gym.” In her video, Gaga also encouraged her fans to register to vote. This wasn’t the first time she had spoken about wanting children; in a 2020 interview, she had expressed her desire to become a mom.
The revelations about Lady Gaga’s engagement and her past fears reflect her personal growth and her journey toward finding love and support outside of her music career.
