Lady Gaga's Brush with Tragedy: From Rockstar Stardom to a Terrifying Mental Health Crisis
by Kevin Zelman
Fri, November 14th 2025 at 2:00 PM
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Lady Gaga attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures "Joker: Folie a Deux" at TCL Chinese Theatre on September 30, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
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In a heart-stopping confession that hits hard, Lady Gaga shares how she feels incredibly fortunate to have survived a devastating psychotic break right after wrapping up one of her most demanding career stretches. Imagine being at the peak of fame, juggling blockbuster roles and sold-out tours, only to face a mental health emergency that made her question if she'd ever recover. It's a stark reminder of how even superstars grapple with inner turmoil, and it makes you wonder: what price do we pay for chasing dreams? But this is just the tip of the iceberg—stick around, because her story dives deeper into resilience, love, and the creative fire that keeps her going.
In an in-depth interview featured on the cover of Rolling Stone, which hits shelves this Thursday, the pop icon candidly discusses her reliance on lithium—a medication commonly used to manage bipolar disorder and prevent intense manic episodes—during the intense production of the Oscar-nominated film "A Star is Born." For those new to this, lithium is a prescription drug that helps stabilize mood swings, but it's not without its challenges, like monitoring side effects to avoid toxicity. Gaga was taking it to keep her mental state in check while portraying a complex character alongside Bradley Cooper. Once the cameras stopped rolling, she launched into her Joanne world tour, a high-energy extravaganza that kept her on the road for months. That's when things took a dark turn: she describes undergoing a psychotic break, a severe mental health episode characterized by a disconnection from reality, hallucinations, or extreme confusion, which can feel utterly overwhelming for anyone experiencing it.
The Grammy winner, who scooped up accolades for her role, recounts the ordeal vividly: "There was one day that my sister said to me, ‘I don’t see my sister anymore,’" Gaga revealed to the magazine. "And I canceled the tour. There was one day I went to the hospital for psychiatric care. 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. I feel really lucky to be alive. I know that might sound dramatic, but we know how this can go."
To put this in perspective, this wasn't just a tough patch—it coincided with an insanely packed schedule that would exhaust anyone. Gaga wasn't only starring in "A Star is Born," earning two Oscar nods for her powerful performance, but she also dazzled millions at the Super Bowl Halftime Show, dropped her "Joanne" album, and endured a whirlwind promotional blitz for the movie that lasted until the Academy Awards in February 2019. There, she triumphed by winning Best Original Song for "Shallow," a track that became an anthem of vulnerability and connection. It's no wonder her body and mind rebelled; even high-achievers can hit a wall when the pressure mounts without respite.
And this is the part most people miss: the healing journey that followed. Time has been kind, and Gaga has rebuilt her life, finding joy in her relationship with fiancé Michael Polansky, whom she started dating in 2020. "Being in love with someone that cares about the real me made a very big difference," she explains about her partner. Today, she describes herself as a "healthy, whole person," a testament to therapy, self-care, and supportive relationships—elements that can make all the difference in recovery, as many mental health experts emphasize.
From there, she stepped into another major role in "Joker: Folie a Deux," the sequel to the acclaimed "Joker" film, sharing the screen with Joaquin Phoenix. Released in 2024, the movie opened to lukewarm reviews and a modest $37.8 million at the domestic box office, falling short of expectations for both critics and fans. Gaga opens up about her reaction, admitting it stung but also sparked something unexpected.
"I wasn’t, like, unfazed," she shares. "It’s funny, I’m almost nervous to share my reaction. But the truth is, when it first started happening, I started laughing. Because it was just getting so unhinged. When it takes a while for something to kind of dissipate, that can be a little bit more painful. Only because I put a lot of myself into it."
The 39-year-old star adds, "There was a ton of negativity around ‘Joker.' And I think I was feeling artistically rebellious at the time." But here's where it gets controversial: Some fans and critics argue that Gaga's bold choices in the film, like her musical interludes, were ahead of their time and underrated, while others say the sequel's mixed reception highlights Hollywood's unpredictability. Does artistic rebellion justify a flop, or should box office success always trump personal expression? It's a debate worth pondering.
Rather than letting the backlash dim her spirit, Gaga poured that raw emotion into her latest work. She channeled the negativity into the "Disease" music video, the lead single from her new album "Mayhem." As she puts it, "I put so much of that energy into that video. I was in that place, you know, I was like, ‘I’ll show you who I am, and I’ll show you what this fight is like.’" It's a powerful example of turning pain into art, something many creatives do to process their struggles.
Looking ahead, Gaga is gearing up for the 2026 Grammys with an impressive seven nominations, making her the event's second-most-nominated artist. Her album "Mayhem" is vying for Album of the Year, and the hit single "Abracadabra"—which made its debut during last year's Grammy telecast—is up for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Talk about a comeback!
Lady Gaga's journey reminds us that mental health battles are real, even for icons, and openness can inspire others. But is it fair for celebrities to share such personal crises publicly, or should they keep it private to avoid scrutiny? Do you believe her experiences make her music more authentic, or does the hype around mental health in Hollywood sometimes feel performative? Share your opinions in the comments—we'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have your own stories to tell. Nothing can stop Lady Gaga, indeed!
