Lady Gaga's Dazzling Parisian Comeback
In a powerful and stylish return to the stage, Lady Gaga captivated audiences at Paris's Accor Arena this Monday, marking her first live performance since courageously disclosing her past struggle with a psychotic break. The 39-year-old artist delivered a stunning show for her Mayhem Ball tour, commanding attention in a series of bold ensembles that showcased her signature theatrical flair.
A Fashionable Statement on Stage
The pop icon made a leggy display in an off-white leotard, a flowing detail accentuating the garment's side. She elevated her frame with a pair of striking silver ankle boots, creating a formidable silhouette. For another segment of the performance, Gaga transformed her look, donning a black leotard adorned with silver bejewelled embellishments, which she paired with fishnet stockings.
Completing this dramatic aesthetic, she sported a short black bob wig, animating the stage for her enthusiastic French fans. Her third outfit saw the singer in a chic black mini dress, which she wrapped in a matching leather jacket, demonstrating her versatile and commanding stage presence.
The Dark Reality Behind the Stardom
This triumphant return carries profound significance, coming after Gaga's recent revelation about the dark period surrounding her Oscar-winning performance in A Star Is Born. The singer confessed to Rolling Stone that during the 2018 blockbuster's filming, her psyche was unraveling.
I did A Star Is Born on lithium, she frankly admitted. The drug, commonly prescribed for bipolar disorder, helps stabilise severe mood swings. The film, co-starring Bradley Cooper, catapulted Gaga to movie superstardom, earning eight Oscar nominations and a Best Original Song win for Shallow.
Soon after filming concluded and while on her Joanne tour, Gaga experienced what she described as a full psychotic break. She recalled a pivotal moment when her sister told her, I don't see my sister anymore, prompting Gaga to cancel the tour and seek hospital psychiatric care.
I completely crashed, she revealed. It was really scary. There was a time where I didn't think I could get better. I feel really lucky to be alive.
Finding Peace and Love After the Storm
Today, Gaga credits much of her recovery to her fiancé, Harvard-educated entrepreneur Michael Polansky. The couple, who went Instagram official in early 2020, got engaged in April 2024. Being in love with someone that cares about the real me made a very big difference, she told the publication.
This journey of self-discovery required significant work, with Gaga reflecting on learning how to be herself with someone after not knowing how to be herself with anyone. After years of struggle, she now considers herself a healthy, whole person.
Her critically acclaimed album Mayhem, released in March and hailed as one of her greatest works, represents this hard-won recovery. It was months and months and months of rediscovering everything that I'd lost, she explained. And I honestly think that's why it's called Mayhem. Because what it took to get it back was crazy.
Looking toward the future, the couple are excited about building a family together. Being a mom is the thing I want most, Gaga shared, adding that Polansky is going to be a beautiful father. While they're planning their wedding, Polansky noted they already feel married and are considering a more intimate celebration.
