Lady Gaga graces the cover of
V Magazine #71 issue, as to announce the news of being the new columnist of
V.
Barely recognizable styled by her friend and collaborator
Nicola Formichetti, under the lens of
Inez Van Lamsweerde and
Vinoodh Matadin, the Grammy winner chats with
Elton John and writes that, "Glam culture is ultimately rooted in obsession, and those of us who are truly devoted and loyal to the lifestyle of glamour are masters of its history. Or, to put it more elegantly, we are librarians."
"I myself can look at almost any hemline, silhouette, beadwork or heel architecture and tell you very precisely who designed it after them, and what cultural and musical movement parented the birth, death, and resurrection of that particular trend."
This is just an excerpt from Gaga's long-winded entry, which continues on for two full pages!
ELTON JOHN: Growing up, who were your musical heroes?
LADY GAGA: I grew up listening to my father’s vinyl collection. You, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Mick Jagger, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Carole King, Whitney Houston, Duran Duran. I had an affinity for rock and roll and dance music at a young age, especially for artists who wrote and played themselves. I started playing piano when I was 4, so the idea of creating something on my own that could someday live next to Dark Side of the Moon—that became an ultimate driving force in my childhood.
EJ: At what point in your life has music had its greatest influence?
LG: I remember listening to Carole King’s Tapestry album in my parents’ basement at two in the morning, singing and screaming at the top of my lungs, then finishing up papers and harnessing as much bravery as possible to be confident in a very socially challenging school environment. This is just one of many moments. But this was around the time that I began to write really great songs. I was 16.
EJ: Were you encouraged to perform as a child?
LG: There was no stopping me. I was always in a moment of performance and creativity. My parents encouraged me in that they never tried to change me. But in a way, my home has always been the stage. I was the girl whose phone was ringing off the hook because I was late to meet everyone at the party, I was too busy finishing a chord progression or lyric, dreaming of getting my boots dirty and becoming a superstar.
Of course, appearing in the mag isn't only about increasing her star power. Ten percent of profits from the sale of the issue will go to help the embattled country Gaga loves so much.
"I have such beautiful memories of Japan and its people," the "Born This Way" crooner tells John. "And when the earthquake happened, I knew saying something just wasn't enough. The little monsters have raised over $2 million purchasing these prayers bracelets I made myself. Let's connect cultures from around the world and rebuild this beautiful country."
