Lady Gaga has become the latest high-profile celebrity to add her powerful voice to a growing chorus of stars speaking out against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Oscar-winning singer delivered a heartfelt and impassioned message during her performance in Tokyo, as tensions surrounding immigration enforcement continue to escalate dramatically across the United States.
Emotional Plea During Tokyo Performance
While performing one of four Mayhem Ball shows in Tokyo on Thursday, the celebrated artist paused her set to address the audience directly. In a video clip that rapidly went viral across social media platforms, Gaga expressed her deep concerns about current events unfolding in her home country.
'I want to take a second to talk about something that's extremely important to me, something important to people all over the world and especially in America right now,' Gaga told the captivated audience. 'In a couple of days, I'm gonna be heading home and my heart is aching thinking about the people, the children, the families, all over America, who are being mercilessly targeted by ICE.'
Addressing Recent Tragic Events
The singer specifically drew attention to the recent fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis, an incident that has sparked widespread scrutiny, public outrage, and numerous protests across the nation. 'I'm also thinking about Minnesota and everyone back at home who is living in so much fear and searching for answers on what we all should do,' she continued with evident emotion.
Gaga elaborated further on the broader implications of current immigration enforcement practices, stating, 'When entire communities lose their sense of safety and belonging, it breaks something in all of us. I hope that you'll all stand with us tonight. I know we're not in America right now, but we are with our community and we love you.'
Musical Dedication and Call for Change
The artist proceeded to dedicate her song Come to Mama to 'everyone who is suffering, to everyone who's feeling alone and helpless, anyone who's lost a loved one and is having a difficult time, an impossible time, seeing when the end will be near.' She emphasised the urgent need for societal transformation, declaring, 'We need to get back to a place of safety and peace and accountability.'
In a direct appeal to those in positions of power, Gaga asserted, 'Good people shouldn't have to fight so hard and risk their lives for well-being and respect and I hope, I hope our leaders are listening. I hope you're listening to us ask you to change your course of action swiftly and have mercy on everyone in our country.'
Growing Celebrity Backlash Against ICE
Lady Gaga represents merely the latest addition to an expanding roster of prominent entertainment figures who have publicly condemned ICE following the deadly Minneapolis incident. Numerous celebrities have used their platforms to express criticism and demand accountability in recent weeks.
Mark Ruffalo, Olivia Wilde, and Wanda Sykes have all voiced strong criticisms of the agency during high-profile events including the Golden Globes ceremony and the Sundance Film Festival. Their comments have amplified the growing public discourse surrounding immigration enforcement practices.
Widespread Celebrity Reactions
Ariana Grande took to social media platforms to voice her outrage, sharing a tweet from New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani that stated, 'As tens of thousands across America protest the violence that ICE sows with impunity, federal agents shot and killed another person in Minneapolis today. ICE terrorizes our cities. ICE puts us all in danger. Abolish ICE.'
Mandy Moore also contributed to the conversation via her Instagram Stories, reposting a New York Times article headlined 'Federal Agents Shoot And Kill A Person In Minneapolis, Officials Say.' Even typically apolitical celebrities have broken their usual silence regarding these developments.
Jennifer Aniston's Uncharacteristic Political Statement
Following the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by a US Border Patrol officer, Jennifer Aniston – who rarely comments publicly on political matters – shared a series of Instagram slides expressing her perspective on the tragic incident. The first slide Aniston posted featured a statement from Pretti's parents, originally shared by Senator Bernie Sanders.
'We are heartbroken but also very angry,' they wrote. 'Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital. Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately he will not be with us to see his impact.'
The statement continued with powerful condemnation, asserting, 'I do not throw around the hero term lightly. However his last thought and act was to protect a woman. The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting. Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump's murdering and cowardly ICE thugs.'
Additional Celebrity Responses
Other notable entertainment figures speaking out on social media included Olivia Rodrigo, Stephen King, Kathy Griffin, and Cynthia Nixon, all expressing anger and dismay over Saturday's events in Minneapolis. Their collective voices have created a significant cultural moment of celebrity activism focused on immigration policy and enforcement practices.
Meanwhile, Lady Gaga continues her international tour commitments, wrapping the Tokyo leg of The Mayhem Ball tour tomorrow. It remains unclear whether she will attend the upcoming Grammy Awards ceremony on Sunday, where she has earned a career-high seven nominations, including Album of the Year for Mayhem, Song of the Year for Abracadabra, and Record of the Year for Abracadabra. This impressive tally surpasses her previous record of six nominations earned back in 2010.
