Gaga’s Moment of Truth

Lady Gaga had a tough 2014. She felt overworked, left her manager and contemplated leaving the music world altogether.

She fretted over her album sales of “Artpop” and came to a musical crossroads. She began to wonder whether her fans were getting tired of cheap, gaudy pop images. Undoubtedly, the shtick was impacting her artistry.

“Because of the meat dresses or whatever, you forget that underneath is a super, ridiculously talented person,” legendary songwriter Diane Warren told the Hollywood Reporter.

Within seven years of signing a record deal and earning millions in global record sales, 12 Guinness World Records, six Grammy Awards and international fame, the self-described “student of fame” was a master.

It was all moving too fast for her to process, though, and her career turbulence was becoming unsettling. The energy required to maintain the infrastructure of fame at her level began to wear on her, and she made the tough decision to hit the pause button.

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Gaga was in the middle of an identity crisis.

She had studied the fame playbook of numerous artists in their presentation, costumes, timing and musical craft, but as she neared her 30s, she was hungry to evolve to the next level. She seemed to have learned early on what so many stars take a lifetime to realize — fame alone doesn’t make a life meaningful.

Only when she stopped the crazy train and took a step back from the spotlight did she discover the real purpose of fame, which is a vehicle for spreading awareness of her talent and craft.

It was then  she discovered her musical soul mate — the incomparable Tony Bennett. The 89-year-old jazz legend and the 29-year-old pop star seemed like an unlikely duo, but the stars seemed to align perfectly for the pair.

“I was born to sing with Tony and for him to be like, ‘Yes, you were.’ And so was Ella (Fitzgerald) and so was Judy (Garland) — we could go on and on listing the amazing women he sang with. It’s a party I’m thrilled to be invited to,” she told Hollywood Reporter.

For Gaga, Bennett changed her world by changing her perspective. Under the wing of a legend, the young singer had an opportunity to see that the world didn’t revolve around her. She was one of many in a tradition of artists who carried the torch, and it clearly humbled her.

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Too many artists today fall victim to their own importance, which is fanned by the flames of social media and PR hype. Gaga’s intentional step back served a dual purpose. It stripped away her ego and simultaneously developed in her a level of conscientiousness that was previously undetected.

Even her erotic acting scenes in the TV series “American Horror Story” suddenly gave her pause because she feared Bennett would see them. She begged him not to watch. This was uncharacteristic of a woman who previously seemed unaware, or unconcerned, about the effect of her art on others, however provocative.

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With Bennett by her side in 2015, she grew as a performer and debuted an alter ego — a classier and more elegant Gaga emerged while performing the Great American Songbook.

Slowly but surely, her gaudy styles have given way to more authentic femininity and mature tastes. The simplicity of her style highlighted her voice, which seemed to flow from another era.

The collaboration between Gaga and Bennett has undoubtedly benefitted them both, but his influence on her personal growth is perhaps most notable. Bennett was unsuccessful in mentoring Amy Winehouse, who fell victim to her troubling addiction. In the documentary about her tragic death, Bennett remarks: “Life teaches you how to live it if you live long enough.”

Gaga, who has admitted to struggling with her own addiction issues in the past, seems to be on the other side of her troubles. No doubt, thanks in part to Bennett’s influence.

In return, she has honored Bennett’s artistic tradition by introducing the classic style to her contingent of eager fans. This is surely no small gift for the legendary singer, whose contributions might have been lost on a younger generation.

Gaga may still experience many more musical incarnations throughout her career. But her path will be a reflection of her choices. She can heed the sound advice and solid example of Bennett and other classic singers who came before, and slowly but steadily build her own timeless legacy.

Or she can choose the path of least resistance, including wardrobe shockers and gimmicky PR stunts that will gain her quick attention.

If she chooses the latter, she’ll be channeling the Greek mythological character Sisyphus, condemned to a life of rolling a rock (her fame) up a hill only to have it fall down again, every time.

If, however, she continues to evolve with the new level of awareness she has shown to possess, Lady Gaga may well evolve into one of the grande dames of music history.

For now, she’s right on the edge of glory.