Lady Gaga Bravely Opens Up About Mental Health Struggles That Led to Hospitalization

Lady Gaga is vulnerably reflecting on one of the most painful chapters of her career. As she filmed “A Star Is Born” and prepared for her Joanne World Tour in 2017, the singer reached a breaking point with her mental health and struggled quietly behind the scenes.

“I did A Star Is Born on lithium,” Gaga told Rolling Stone in an interview published November 13. She said she realized how serious things had become when her sister looked at her and said, “I don’t see my sister anymore.” Soon after, Gaga canceled the tour.

“There was one day I went to the hospital for psychiatric care,” she said. “I needed to take a break. I couldn’t do anything. I completely crashed. It was really scary. There was a time where I didn’t think I could get better.”

How Treatment Helped Gaga Move Forward

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For Gaga, stepping away saved her life. Getting help allowed her to return to her work and eventually celebrate the massive success of “A Star Is Born.” The 2018 film in which she starred opposite Bradley Cooper earned her both a Grammy and an Oscar.

“I feel really lucky to be alive,” Gaga said. “I know that might sound dramatic, but we know how this can go.”

Gaga Says Her Mental Health Struggles Continued Into ‘House of Gucci’

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Gaga explained that her mental health was still fragile while filming “House of Gucci” in 2021. “I don’t think I was doing very well during that film,” she said. “At all.”

Her comments reflect a pattern she has spoken about before, including the emotional and physical toll of her work and the pressure she has often felt to stay strong.

Today, Gaga says she feels like “a healthy, whole person.” She credits her fiancé, Michael Polansky, with helping her find stability and a sense of peace. The couple began dating in 2019.

“Being in love with someone who cares about the real me made a very big difference,” she said.

Gaga recalled how Polansky looked past the fame and focused on her as a person. “What he saw was, this is somebody that feels very far away from what they’re supposed to be doing. He wanted to take care of me. And I’ve never been loved that way.”

She added, “My life was serious to him. It was not a party. He helped me see that my life was precious.””