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Following the recent Harlequin Q&A, it got me thinking about ARTPOP Act II. She interestingly admitted they allowred the lore surrounding the performance to build, ultimately releasing it as a Christmas present... https://x.com/antpats2/status/2003162116149379096 Among Little Monsters, ARTPOP Act II isn’t just an unreleased album, it’s a ghost that still walks the halls of Gaga’s career. The way many of us see it, ARTPOP never really ended. It fractured into many broken mirrors. After 2013, Gaga didn’t abandon ARTPOP because she stopped believing in it. She stepped away because the world around it collapsed. The era was chaotic, messy, brilliant — and behind the scenes, deeply controlled. A huge portion of ARTPOP’s unreleased material was created while Troy Carter was still steering the train, and that matters more than people inside the fanbase realise. Those sessions, those demos, those near-finished tracks? They’re tangled up in management-era contracts, ownership splits, and creative approvals that Gaga no longer has clean access to. That’s the quiet truth many Monsters whisper about: it’s not that ARTPOP Act II doesn’t exist — it’s that it exists in a legal and emotional limbo. There’s also the title itself. ARTPOP isn’t just a name; it’s a brand, an era, a legal entity. After the fallout with Troy and the restructuring of her team, the title became radioactive. Using it again would mean reopening old agreements, old power dynamics, and old wounds. Gaga doesn’t want to relive that version of herself — not because she rejects it, but because she’s outgrown the cage it was built in. And yet… she’s never let it die. You can hear ARTPOP’s DNA everywhere if you know how to listen. In the metallic spirituality of Chromatica, or recently in MAYHEM. In the way she talks about art swallowing fame instead of the other way around. In how she still describes herself as a conduit rather than a product. ARTPOP was about the collision of art and pop until neither could survive unchanged, and that idea is still her north star. The lore says this: Gaga doesn’t want to release ARTPOP Act II — she wants to reincarnate it. That’s why she’s been so careful. She’s waiting for a moment where she can continue the story without using the same title, the same contracts, or the same expectations. A continuation that isn’t shackled to Troy-era management, unfinished obligations, or the industry narrative that painted ARTPOP as a “failure” instead of a prophecy that arrived too early. To her, releasing those old tracks as-is would be like letting someone else finish her sentence. So instead, she’s rewriting the language. When ARTPOP returns, and most of us believe it will, it won’t be called Act II. It’ll be something stranger, freer, and sharper. A parallel universe sequel. Same soul, different body. The art still bleeding into the pop, but this time on her terms, with no one holding the keys but her. That’s why it’s taken so long. Especially after the huge petition seeing over 56,000 signatures. Not because she forgot ARTPOP. Because she remembers it too well. 💙🖤

Imagine having no taste, holy ****. Truly couldn’t be me Also, to state the obvious: she’s campaigning for the Grammy win in the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album category.

I hate this narrative btw. What started as discourse about the issues within Hollywood production blocking openly gay actors from taking on leading male roles because of their sexuality and why we should push against it. Is now purist dictat that seeks to reinforce the very limitation we once sought to break. Its acting. The job is to sell a made up story. The best actor should get the job. I feel like this idea that only gay/bi men should play gay/bi characters is a deliberate bastardisation of the original discourse by right wing media to reinforce the confines of the closet.

Jacob Tierney is openly gay and is the creator of Heated Rivalry. Hudson and Connor have never publicly stated their sexualities. Critiquing the show after watching a few clips feels pretty premature. It’s worth actually watching a few full episodes before forming an opinion - Heated Rivalry is one of the most compelling queer shows in a long time and it’s sparking important conversations about gay men in sport.

Bonus

Now, hold on... Saying Harlequin is not a good album is a big lie. It's technically one of her best records: vocals, production, arrangement. The least we can say is that it's by far her best 'jazz' album. But anyone can disagree... The only truth is that she's releasing this now because the album is nominated for a Grammy and they want to campaign for it

queer synth remix for the gaaymas enjoy

Stop making a problem out of everything. You are not interested in the show? Ok, that’s fine don’t watch it then. By your logic, gay actors should not play straight roles btw. But I see you would say that’s different, while really it is not. Stop with this purist bullshit. Btw at least one of the actors is almost certainly queer (Connor), he is also fan of Gaga, his favourite song from her is Brown Eyes. Why are you forcing people to come out just so you can be happy that only gays play gay roles? Their sexuality is theirs and you are not entitled to know it.

It's actually live now an hour early for fans:

this is my grandma's favourite gaga album, so she's gonna watch it with me tomorrow.

This And I mean it too She doesn't get an ounce of credit for anything as long as she continues to horde enough wealth to be a billionaire. One million dollars is a pitiful 0.05% of Taylor's wealth. She can keep chucking out these relatively tiny and worthless (to her) sums of cash to control the narrative so her fans can say "she's so charitable 💞💞". Billionaires are evil, I don't trust her intentions, I don't believe she's altruistic in any way, and I won't until she's no longer a billionaire. With this kind of fortune, the kind that by definition has to be stolen, giving it away is no longer charity, it's an obligation.

Idk what it is about it. I've only watched clips, and it doesn't really click with me After reading the Heated Rivalry thread, I wrote down some reasons: 1. The original novels were written by a woman for other women (yikes) The director's gay i think which kinda helps but not much 2. AFAIK the actors are openly straight (double yikes) Idk how i stand with this. I am considering the kit connor situation, but i can't really find any saving grace for them. Gay people should be able to tell gay stories, i believe. Also the actors just aren't that hot sue me. 3. It's allegedly basically softcore p0rn disguised as a decent tv show (triple yikes) I read the wikipedia synopsis and HOLY F WORD there are like 12 sex scenes in each episode. JUST WATCH P0RN IF YOU WANT TO SEE THAT; i'm sure most sean cody videos have a more interesting plotline I think the appeal of the show with the gay community is just the use of the universal middle school fantasy of jocks shagging each other as a plot do i need to open my mind more or am i correct?

I'm so elated we're getting this. I'm a huge fan of the Harlequin album. I love it because it was the first album since ARTPOP that I felt Gaga's true authenticity, spirit and vision as an artist again. Which is surprising because it's mostly a covers album but I feel it re-ignited something in her and ultimately paved the way for Mayhem. The passion she felt for the project was real and not forced or contrived, as it had been for every record that followed ARTPOP. Even the jazz albums with Tony Bennet (and Joanne!) were highly tethered and inauthentic in a different way to Chromatica. There was also something very bold about releasing a solo jazz album when the calls for LG7 couldn't have been louder. It felt defiant and honest, which is what I love most about Gaga, whatever the genre she's in. I just want to feel the artistic rebel ("f*ck you, pop music") in her work more than anything, which Harlequin gave us so clearly and Mayhem continued in certain places. I wish it was considered LG7 for all these reasons. I think it deserves its place alongside TF, TFM, BTW, ARTPOP, Joanne, Chromatica and Mayhem as a solo release.

The Artist in Gracie Mansion Rama Duwaji is excited for her husband Zohran Mamdani’s new job. Just don’t call her the mayor’s plus-one. Rama Duwaji is moving in slow motion. At least, that’s how it’s felt since 10 p.m. on June 24, the night that put her on the fast track to becoming one of New York City’s youngest First Ladies — and its first-ever Muslim one. An aide for her husband, Zohran Mamdani, looked over at Duwaji and yelled over the cheering at his primary-election watch party at a brewery in Long Island City, “He won!” In shock, Duwaji responded, “What do you mean?!” Full Story: https://www.thecut.com/article/rama-duwaji-cut-cover-interview-zohran-mamdani.html

Not sure how to embed a reel but it’s worth a click I promise. I love her so much https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSp1aT5ESGA/?l=1

this all album

I see where you're coming from, but I here's how I personally view these points. I do think Rachel Reid is a positive ally. Reading her interviews, it's interesting how she came up with the idea as a lifelong hockey fan who came to realize there were no out players in the NHL. Fetishization can be a problem, but I think in this case, it's genuinely coming from a place of allyship. At the end of the day, I think the increasing focus on communication and empathy over the course of the story also kind of benefits from a feminine perspective (that's not to say men are incapable of communication and empathy on their own, but I know women in my life have often helped me gain that kind of perspective). To my understanding, Connor has implied he identified as part of the LGBT community in the past, while Hudson is allegedly straight. I see how these opportunities can be important for gay actors, but I'm also happy to see gay actors capable of playing gay roles (eg Jonathan Bailey), so it's kind of a double-edged sword for me if the reverse case is unacceptable. There is pretty strong character development over episodes 4 and 5. I think the show does a good job at portraying a relationship that evolves from physical to emotional, which is fairly common in this day and age. It might be reaching a little bit, but watching it, I felt like the show successfully said something about modern loneliness, and how learning to communicate is the way to go to overcome the isolation associated with hookup culture. I encourage you to try watching the whole show to see if you feel the same afterwards.

It's actually kind of brilliant imo. Waiting until the dust clears from the Joker film fiasco, then making the most out of something she did for it on the side, so it can stand on its own. I'm not in love with the album itself either, but I think this was a good idea

The show makes people really happy + it started really important conversations Even if it sucked, which I don't think it does, especially the latest episodes, I would love it for that. We need it more than ever in 2025.

I'm gonna post the most obvious answer

More excited for this than actual Christmas

What doesn’t give some of you all the ick

The show is causing literally zero harm to anybody

Season 2 was already announced but they just lowkey said there is going to be a season 3 as well 👀

gay people should be allowed to stan mediocre shows too not everything we release has to be oscar worthy. im just happy we see a gay show with frequent gay sex scenes in almost every episode - we havent seen that really in mainstream media

If i was a millionaire public figure i'd feel uncomfortable with major publications reporting my every minor donation, this is crazy, the fact that she's a billionaire with a public image in crisis should make you suspicios, you ppl fall for it so easily, this is so clearly PR motivated for the praise she knows she'll get rather than any charitable spirit, this is no different than the **** Mr. Beast does....

i like this song

If you would keep watching instead of ducking out after one episode, you would understand that the show transitions into exactly what you’re asking for and that the sex scenes are not superfluous or there just to titillate but are actually massively important to the plot and to the development of both of the central characters. But I understand that asking anyone on this website to have a bare minimum amount of media literacy or put a bare minimum amount of research into anything is quite a big ask.

I miss when your trolling was ridiculous rather than miserable tbh

As usual, GGD is being overly negative. The show may not be revolutionary, but it’s entertaining and tackles a very real issue: creating space for young NHL players to feel safe coming out, especially when no active player has done so publicly yet.

This is how I see it. 2025 has ended with: Softcore gay **** going viral. Straight dudes loving said **** 😂 Jake Paul getting his jaw broken Andrew Tate getting smacked down by a boxer in pink gloves. The year was **** but we've ended on a high

I think the downside to there being not as much queer media for mainstream consumption is that people in the community immediately feel as though they are supposed to feel represented by it and/or love it. This is just a cute raunchy show with what is honestly a typical coming out plot steering the story. If this was not a show with gay characters, different people would be disliking it for the same reasons. The reaching of some people by saying this is harmful to the community is rough, we should be allowed to have our fun and exciting tv shows on a mainstream streaming platform with a promo and production budget too.

Men have been fetishizing women forever and that includes gay men. Let’s not pretend that this book being written by a woman is some sort of oppression… I agree that the show is a tad overrated but it’s just entertainment and it never pretended to be anything else. With the amount of shows on Netflix that are basically just softcore **** for straight people, i don’t understand why this show gets criticized for being exactly that.

crazy how khias one song is more iconic than anything in nickis entire discography

In fairness, @PartySick doesn't discriminate in their fully correct hatred of the Billionare class and the millionaire class.

she did it just to annoy you, personally

but baby i just need one good one

Lady Gaga's 'Harlequin Live: One Night Only' is OUT! Watch here:

Yeah, the fetishization argument reads as somewhat prudish tbh. Like if women are into the idea of men having sex, let em have at it, idgaf.

#40 (-7) Die With A Smile 2,943,930 (+107,633) #41 (-9) BOAF 2,900,926

its not groundbreaking but i love seeing a show that doesnt shy away from gay sex going viral. i dont remember the last time a gay show has been this popular in mainstream media. also pretty sure connor is gay, francois the guy who plays scott hunter i bi, and from a lot of reports and things blogs have said the two actors are dating in real life.

Madame X is an experiment in trying to make the most painful music possible without killing someone

This song is an insult to her entire legacy

I'd agree with the sentiment when the story being told is based in real life (such as a biopic) or something like Pose or about the AIDS crisis. But with something like this? I just want good heartfelt acting. I personally choose to focus on the likes of Richard Madden who was almost James Bond in everything but an official announcement only to lose it when rumours surfaced he was gay and had a boyfriend. Or Hugh Jackman who still isn't out, although everyone knows it, because of his roles in the superhero industry. I personally don't want a world where straight men can't play gay roles, because that's a world that will continue to block gay men from being out in order to have a career. I want a world where the sexuality of an actor isn't a factor in audience support and casting decisions.

Coworkers: do you have any plans for Christmas eve? Us:

She is a notorious being

Her vocals Happy Mistake vocals always gives me shivers