Lady Gaga, known for her transformative roles, took her dedication to her character in ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ to a whole new level. She even had a psychiatrist on set during the filming of ‘House of Gucci,’ ensuring she fully immersed herself in the role. This intense approach to acting seems to have had a profound impact on her, carrying over into the creation of her latest album, ‘Harlequin.’
Gaga explains that she couldn’t fully detach herself from the character she plays in the film, a mysterious woman named Lee. This immersive experience led her to collaborate with her fiancé, Michael Polansky, on the album, with whom she shares a deep artistic connection.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Gaga reveals, “Even after filming ended, I couldn’t fully escape the character. Building her up had a deep and profound effect on me. Through my process, Michael also learned more about Lee, which is why we decided to work on this project together.”
‘Harlequin,’ inspired by ‘Joker: Folie à Deux,’ showcases Gaga’s artistic evolution with Michael’s lyrical contributions, marking their first collaboration. She describes Michael as “incredibly creative” and “the closest to me artistically.” This artistic partnership has blossomed into a beautiful collaboration, with Gaga praising Michael’s understanding of her and her creative vision.
Gaga highlights the unique dynamic between her and Michael, stating, “I think it’s beautiful to be able to share an artistic experience with your partner. It can be challenging with some people, but Michael understands me well, which led to the creation of this record. Through everyday life and the filming of the movie, he came to understand Lee, which helped with this incredible collaboration. He worked hard to express Lee’s story musically in a colorful, tense, dangerous, and pure way.”
The album’s artwork features Gaga in a striking shower scene with a clown makeup reminiscent of Lee. It includes 13 tracks, blending jazz standards like “Get Happy” and “Oh, When The Saints” with Gaga’s unique artistic vision.
Gaga emphasizes the complexity of Lee’s character, stating, “I wanted to create a piece that celebrates the complexity of a woman who harbors madness and is tired of being expected to be cute. Just like I can’t define Lee in the movie, I can’t define her in this album.”
‘Harlequin,’ a testament to Gaga’s artistic depth and dedication, promises a captivating journey through the mind of Lee, offering a unique musical exploration of ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ and her own artistic vision.
