Lady Gaga Honored as an Innovator, Reflects on Career and Authenticity
Lady Gaga, the artist born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, was celebrated as a true innovator at the iHeartRadio Music Awards in Los Angeles on Monday night. The "Abracadabra" singer, at just 38 years old, received the prestigious Innovator Award, a testament to her consistent boundary-pushing and creative exploration within the music industry and beyond. Despite having already spent nearly two decades in the relentless glare of the pop spotlight, Gaga used her acceptance speech to both reflect on her journey and emphatically declare that she’s just getting started.
Dressed in a striking red gown, Gaga addressed the perceived irony of receiving a career achievement award while still feeling like she’s on the cusp of new beginnings. "Winning an award honoring my entire career at 38 years old is a hard thing to get my head around," she confessed. "On the one hand, I feel like I’ve been doing this forever, and on the other hand, I know I’m just getting started. So even though the world might consider a woman in her late 30s old for a pop star, which is insane, I promise that I’m just getting warmed up."
iHeartRadio justified their choice to honor Gaga, highlighting her unparalleled willingness to take creative risks and her impactful successes. The organization declared her "the true definition of a modern-day artist innovator." Gaga joins a distinguished list of past recipients including Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Alicia Keys, further solidifying her place among music’s most influential figures.
Gaga offered her own interpretation of innovation, moving beyond the simple idea of rule-breaking. "Innovation isn’t about breaking rules," she stated. "It’s about writing your own and convincing the world they were theirs all along." This sentiment encapsulates Gaga’s career, marked by her ability to forge her own path and bring her unique vision to the mainstream, influencing countless artists and inspiring a generation of fans to embrace their individuality.
The award coincides with the recent release of her latest album, "Mayhem," which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album represents a return to Gaga’s pop roots, solidifying her enduring relevance and commercial appeal. According to Billboard, "Mayhem" also earned Gaga the largest streaming week of her career, demonstrating her continued ability to connect with audiences in an ever-evolving musical landscape.
One of the standout tracks from "Mayhem" is "Die with a Smile," a collaboration with Bruno Mars. The song has already achieved significant acclaim, earning Gaga and Mars a Grammy for best pop duo/group performance. Additionally, the track received a nomination for song of the year at the upcoming 2025 Grammys, underscoring its critical and commercial success.
Beyond her artistic accomplishments, Gaga emphasized the importance of authenticity as the driving force behind true innovation. "The most powerful innovation is your authenticity," she proclaimed. She credited her grandmothers, whom she described as "fiercely brilliant Italian American women," as leading examples in her life, inspiring her unwavering commitment to staying true to herself.
"Every time I was the only woman in the room, the loudest voice was inside my own head telling me not to compromise," Gaga shared. "Listening to that voice always showed me exactly where I belonged. And tonight, I think of my grandmothers… They didn’t invent technology or art, they invented possibility, shaping the future with nothing more than their minds. And those women, my ancestors, they’re the greatest innovators that I’ve ever known."
The trailblazing pop star also offered a heartfelt tribute to the LGBTQ+ community, acknowledging their profound impact on her life and career. She said they "taught me bravery before the world was ready to listen." Gaga has long been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and equality, using her platform to raise awareness and promote acceptance. She reiterated her commitment to solidarity with the transgender community during a recent speech at the Grammy Awards, where she accepted the award for best pop duo. “You have changed the world for the better, and your courage fuels mine every single day," she said to the LGBTQ community during the iHeartRadio Music Awards.
Gaga also expressed her gratitude to her fiancé, Michael Polansky, whom she hailed as the "true MVP" among her many collaborators. "Your love, your creativity, your willingness to innovate alongside me is my greatest strength," she said, acknowledging his invaluable contribution to her life and work.
In a recent interview with USA TODAY, Gaga opened up about her experience co-writing songs with Polansky on "Mayhem," including the deeply personal ballad "Blade of Grass." She explained that the song was inspired by a moment in their relationship after they got engaged.
"We started working on that song after we got engaged," Gaga revealed. "A long time ago, we were in the backyard and he said, ‘If I ever propose to you, what should I do?’ I said, ‘You can just wrap a blade of grass around my finger and I’ll say yes.’"
She further elaborated on the meaning behind the song, describing it as a reflection on the bittersweet nature of love and the journey it takes to find it. "It’s a love song between the two of us, but sometimes when we find love in our lives, it can also help us reflect on what it took to get there. Standing in my backyard, looking out at the ocean, I was thinking about all the people I’ve left behind or lost along the way. It was this incredibly happy moment and also bittersweet, which is why that record is haunting and beautiful."
Lady Gaga’s Innovator Award at the iHeartRadio Music Awards is a well-deserved recognition of her enduring impact on music, culture, and society. Her acceptance speech served as a powerful reminder of the importance of authenticity, perseverance, and the inspiration we can draw from those who came before us. As she embarks on the next chapter of her career, Gaga’s unwavering commitment to innovation and self-expression promises to continue to captivate and inspire audiences worldwide.
