Singer. Born Stefania Gabrielle Germanotta on March 28, 1986, to Cynthia and Joseph Germanotta. Germanotta, now known as Lady Gaga, is an international pop star born in Yonkers, New York.
At 17 she was accepted (early admission) to NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, where she studied art. Was signed to the Def Jam record label when she was 19, but was dropped soon after. Rap star Akon signed her to his label with Interscope records, and by the time she was 20 she had a record deal.
Has written songs for Britney Spears, the Pussycat Dolls, New Kids on the Block and Fergie. She took her stage name from Queen's song, "Radio Ga Ga." Her debut single, "Just Dance," was released in 2008, followed by her full-length debut album,The Fame, in August of that year. It earned critical acclaim and sold more than a million copies.
Many of her eye-catching outfits are manufactured by stylists and set designers known as the Haus of Gaga.
Cites David Bowie and Donatella Versace as her influences.
Her Grammy-winning hit song "Poker Face" was inspired by her bisexuality. She told Heat magazine that the song, which she performed on an American Idol results show, took all of 10 minutes to write. (She generally composes on piano, aiming first for a chorus.)
To those who question her flashy stage outfits, the dance-pop star's answer, as told to Billboard magazine, is: "I dress the way I do to show my commitment to show business."
CREDIT: GETTY