Lady Gaga is having a big month, with her starring role in the film Joker: Folie à Deux alongside Joaquin Phoenix and the release of her accompanying album, Harlequin. The superstar recently attended the London premiere of Joker and hosted a private listening party for fans. In an interview with Vogue, she discussed her creative process for both projects, particularly focusing on the unique styling choices and fashion collaborations she made for the film. Gaga’s red carpet look for the London premiere—a custom red Celine gown with a matching puff-sleeved bolero jacket—was a standout moment that combined elegance with rebellion, two qualities she admires.
The Harlequin album features tracks like “Smile,” “The Joker,” and “That’s Life,” with Gaga producing the record alongside her fiancé, Michael Polansky. The album serves as Gaga’s interpretation of the music in the film, as well as includes a couple of original songs. One particular favorite among fans is the original song “Happy Mistake,” which offers a personal look at Gaga’s relationship with playing broken women throughout her career. She hopes that both the film and album will resonate with her fans, known as Little Monsters, in a meaningful way. Gaga expressed excitement at seeing her fans dress up in Harlequin-inspired makeup and outfits at the London premiere, highlighting the strong connection she has with her dedicated fan base.
Gaga’s collaboration with designer Hedi Slimane for her red carpet look was a nod to their longstanding relationship and previous work together. The duo aimed to create a look that was both elegant and rebellious, reflecting Gaga’s own personal style. The styling for Joker was a particularly important aspect of the project for Gaga, as she and stylist Arianne Phillips worked to create a new interpretation of the iconic Harley Quinn character. The clothing choices in the film were designed to reflect the immaturity and youthful mindset of the character, breaking away from traditional expectations.
The release of Joker: Folie à Deux and Harlequin marks a significant moment in Gaga’s career, as she has poured her creative energy into both projects. The album, in particular, allowed her to delve deeper into the character of Lee Quinzel and explore the emotional journey of the broken women she has portrayed throughout her career. The process of making the film and album was a special experience for Gaga and Polansky, with the music serving as a personal reflection of their time working on Joker together. As the projects continue to generate buzz and excitement among fans, Gaga hopes that they will leave a lasting impact and resonate with audiences in a meaningful way.
Gaga’s ability to connect with her fans on a personal level was evident at the Harlequin listening party and London premiere, where fans showed their support by dressing up in homage to the film and album. The enthusiasm and dedication of her fans, known as Little Monsters, have always been a source of inspiration for Gaga and she cherishes the support they show her. As the film and album continue to garner attention and recognition, Gaga remains grateful for the opportunity to share her creativity and artistry with her fans, creating a unique and immersive experience that resonates with audiences on a deeper level.
