How do you really feel about idolizing a rich popstar such as Gaga?

[V e n u s 299]

Lately, I've been reflecting on how much I idolize Gaga. I can't help but notice that every existential thought I have always somehow traces back to Gaga's Post Modern philosophies. Every creative input I have is heavily influenced by Gaga's aesthetics. I don't know why but I feel like it's not right. It's like I'm trapped in her, and I feel like this is her ploy or something.

 

My reasoning is that no matter how much I think I know Gaga through her interviews, I ultimately do not know her.

 

Gaga also just has made decisions that make me question her entirely. I don't get why Haus Labs had to be made. Sure, much of the sales support the BTW Foundation. But don't the rich run charities to avoid tax? I don't get why the $128 Million for COVID had to go to the WHO instead of a more competent organization.

 

 

I have no issue with Gaga making money off of being a performer and musician. What is off-putting to me is if you want more money in your pocket for things that you're obviously not passionate about. Actions speak louder than words and Gaga has had more moments where she's displayed bling being more important than the music.

 

 

( I am very much open to have healthy discussions that would have me change my view. I made this thread to hear everyone and possibly learn something that'll change my mind. )

 

 

Edit:

I just wanna include replies I made on this thread on page 3. I think it adds more perspective on where my opinion really is at with Gaga and why I feel uneasy with my idolization of her:

> I realized the parasocial relationship I had with Gaga was too strong. I was disturbed by it, but not because I hate Gaga. I was disturbed by it because I felt like I was getting too detached from reality from liking her. I recognized how only art, expression, pop culture, LGBTQ+ Activisim became too much of the most important things to me. I forgot that there's a whole world around me with a lot of other issues. Creativity, fashion, art and sexuality are all very important to me. But, I think it's time I let go of these things a bit and started learning about other things.

 

>  ... all of this questioning of Gaga permeated from a bigger question that I asked myself. I've been looking at the world around us as of late and it just really has an inefficient system. I'm young and I never did like watching the news or researching on topics about politics. But with our situation with COVID it just got me looking at the world and thinking about the different kinds of people in our society. Do the 'elites' really need that much money?

[SawyersInsanity 401]

I don’t believe in human idols but I think she’s proven to be an amazing person using her wealth and platform for good such as making headway with mental health awareness/research and being a pioneer for the queer community

[Zombiecat 16,738]

She could be rich or poor bur she's had a massive influence on my life so I'll forever Idolize her  

[DC 25,164]

I don't idolize her, but I love and support her, is there a difference? Because it's against my religion to idolize and I don't really know if I'm breaking it or not 

[Gypsy 3,826]

She taught me values my parents could never during my young life. Accept yourself no matter what anyone thinks.
So I'm happy with my choice.

[Modern Ecstasy2 2,202]

This morning I was thinking about meet and greets, specifically Enigma/J&P (I’m not sure why - maybe because I was supposed to be in Vegas right now seeing her). And I was wondering, how much say/control she ultimately has over the prices of m&g packages. Or is it entirely out of her control? And is all of that money going in her pocket or is it going towards paying people, etc. Just curious. 

I think charging fans in the neighborhood of $2000 USD to meet their idol is unethical quite frankly, and kind of hypocritical? She has spoken publicly so many times throughout her career that she is a flawed, imperfect person, that she isn’t any better than anyone else, etc etc, but then... if you want to meet her backstage you have to pay basically an arm and a leg for it?

I think she has proven herself to be very charitable with her money and does a lot of good with it, but this is just one thing that’s been on my mind lately.

[LilyLark 10,104]

I've never put anyone on a pedestal. Flawed people can create great art and be an inspiration in some ways while a disappointment in others..most of us are complex creatures full of good, bad, and the in-between. Also, imo it's not good to have just "one" person or thing as an inspiration....That said, I don't idolize Gaga even though I'm a huge fan.

But Gaga's never lied about being a capitalist so I don't understand fans who get bothered by it. It's a part of the industry...even FKA Twigs shills for Apple and did a collection with Nike. And Gaga, as much as I love her, is a wealthy white woman who spent her life performing and isn't an expert in public health. It's not a surprise she turned to WHO, because despite their flaws they are a) one of the most well known organizations and b) one of the few organizations that are large enough to tackle the current crisis.

 

[Ashley 9,512]

You sound a bit obsessed. I’m not entirely sure what you mean by saying it’s her ploy to make you feel trapped..?

Just remember she’s just a person. The world doesn’t revolve around Gaga and yours shouldn’t either. I would say I look up to and respect her a lot, but not idolize her.

[Awrah999 4,326]

I feel fantastic 

 

[Guest]

I don't idolize her. I just want new music and this is my preferred place to talk about things pop. For other genres I listen to, I go to different websites. Although with the release approaching and nothing to do all day, I spend way more time here.

[LilyLark 10,104]

12 minutes ago, Modern Ecstasy2 said:

This morning I was thinking about meet and greets, specifically Enigma/J&P (I’m not sure why - maybe because I was supposed to be in Vegas right now seeing her). And I was wondering, how much say/control she ultimately has over the prices of m&g packages. Or is it entirely out of her control? And is all of that money going in her pocket or is it going towards paying people, etc. Just curious. 

I think charging fans in the neighborhood of $2000 USD to meet their idol is unethical quite frankly, and kind of hypocritical? She has spoken publicly so many times throughout her career that she is a flawed, imperfect person, that she isn’t any better than anyone else, etc etc, but then... if you want to meet her backstage you have to pay basically an arm and a leg for it?

I think she has proven herself to be very charitable with her money and does a lot of good with it, but this is just one thing that’s been on my mind lately.

99% of the time meet and greets are part of a VIP package. I could be wrong, but I'm almost positive it's that way with Gaga too. Most artists, with some exceptions like Taylor Swift, "charge" for M & G as part of the VIP package...Taylor just "throws" it in sometimes, from what I understand, even if it's not a VIP package.

I think M & Gs aren't great and should be done away with or randomly decided upon without being part of a VIP package. For example, some from general admission and some from VIP get M & Gs. But I also think M & Gs are pretty much a label thing and not something artists individually push.

Edited: I also think making M & G part of a VIP experience is understandable in some ways versus paying only for a M & G (which rarely happens),  because people want a special experience if they're shilling out that much money for VIP. At the same time, I still believe what I wrote above about the issues.

[ARTBOP 7,433]

2 minutes ago, Modern Ecstasy2 said:

This morning I was thinking about meet and greets, specifically Enigma/J&P (I’m not sure why - maybe because I was supposed to be in Vegas right now seeing her). And I was wondering, how much say/control she ultimately has over the prices of m&g packages. Or is it entirely out of her control? And is all of that money going in her pocket or is it going towards paying people, etc. Just curious. 

I think charging fans in the neighborhood of $2000 USD to meet their idol is unethical quite frankly, and kind of hypocritical? She has spoken publicly so many times throughout her career that she is a flawed, imperfect person, that she isn’t any better than anyone else, etc etc, but then... if you want to meet her backstage you have to pay basically an arm and a leg for it?

I think she has proven herself to be very charitable with her money and does a lot of good with it, but this is just one thing that’s been on my mind lately.

Absolutely agree on the too much part and would never pay that much money just to see someone up close and shake their hand maybe. But, if you’re doing M&G with someone of that profile I assume you just have to put a higher price on it, because everybody would want to get it. So they’re essentially not made for the biggest fans, rather for people that have the money to spend. What I do respect so much is how she used to bring, at times, dozens even of fans backstage for no money, fans that she knows waited for days on the street just to be front row. And still does bring fans on stage, and stops a lot of the time to sign/chat with fans. Still keeping in mind she’s a human and can’t meet everyone and shouldn’t have to.

[mr.peter 3,555]

I just really like her art. I never really pay attention to her personal life / life off the stage. 
draw the line somewhere like that 

[rasclautmangos 2,746]

I feel great 

She's an entertainer and she's been about her paper from day one. 

I enjoy her music and I find her to be inspirational in many ways, but she's an imperfect human being just like the rest of us. 

[Archduchess 2]

I don't idolize her, I just like her stuff