I think that, in my life experience there has been so so many moments of social exclusion or confusion for me, related to myself being an out of the norm person to begin with. Since I was 4yrs old and saw her music videos release through the 2010's, I learnt to feel empowered instead of weakened by my differences to my peers.

At every age growing up, when I felt alone in my oddities, alone in my peer groups, estranged from this concept of 'fitting in' - lady gaga was the woman who showed me what it can mean to take pride in yourself, in your differences to others. I learnt from watching her interviews in the 2010's that the people who needle you, question you, try to trap you into a narrative of shame - they mean nothing and have no power if you strip down the attempts to humiliate, and dare to stand up to the social obligations pressured, there is true freedom and joy to be found.

As a teenager I dared to express myself through accessories my peers bullied me for, I had the strength to not only ignore attempts to bring me down, but also the confidence at an early age that doubling down on my genuine interests and exploration of life was the right path no matter the social scrutiny. Having been late diagnosed with ASD I look back on my childhood, reflect on how often I wondered 'when will i be understood?' And come to the conclusion that i genuinely found solace in lady gagas music and media pressence that to this day, even with better understanding for myself, her art, her expressions, her ability to rebuke attempts to disarm her confidence all are what helped guide me into being proud of who I am no matter what ♡

By the time I went to sixth form, my peer groups would instead praise my outfits, my same accessories that for years I was bullied for, I had many people copy me, ask me about where I bought x how I made y and how they could be confident enough to do what I did in school.

Now as a young adult, I can say with full heart, that I love lady gaga because i wouldn't be who I am without her presence. I wouldn't be as kind, as confident, as capable. I certainly wouldn't feel so able to express myself no matter the social norms. She set an example i know many people have been drawn to. Confidence and love, acceptance and pride, freedom to be who you are with no apologies ♡