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Lady Gaga received the 2025 iHeartRadio Innovator award on March 17, 2025. The award was presented to her by rapper and singer Doechii. Thanking her, the Bloody Mary singer said she was deeply touched by her words. In her acceptance speech, she said:
“I don't know totally how to think about this because winning an award honoring my entire career at 38 years old is a hard thing to get my head around. On the one hand, I feel like I've been doing this forever and on the other hand, I know I'm just getting started so even though the world might consider a woman in her late 30s old for a pop star which is insane, I promise that I'm just getting warmed up.”
Lady Gaga shared that innovation comes from creating one's path rather than breaking rules. Reflecting on past moments, she emphasized authenticity as the most powerful form of innovation.
During her acceptance speech, Lady Gaga stressed staying true to herself, especially in male-dominated spaces. She shared how listening to her inner voice helped her find her place.
She honored her grandmothers and called them strong Italian American women. The singer noted that her ancestors shaped the future through resilience, dreams, and determination and hence, they were the biggest innovators to her.
Lady Gaga thanked her inspirations and the LGBTQ+ community
As she went on with her speech, Lady Gaga expressed gratitude to the artists who influenced her. She mentioned David Bowie, Grace Jones, Elton John, and Tony Bennett, as people who encouraged her to embrace classics without being confined by them.
She also thanked her fans for always understanding her as their support helped her see herself more clearly. Gaga acknowledged the LGBTQ+ community for their bravery. Finally, she credited her collaborators, team, family, and fiancé Michael Polansky for their love, creativity, and passion for innovation. Lady Gaga also said:
“Thank you iHeartRadio for honoring the truth I've fought for in my music and to every artist who's ever been told they are different, complicated or too much. Please never change. Break the mold. The world doesn't need another copy, it desperately needs your original. Thank you.”
Lady Gaga’s studio album Mayhem was a collaborative work with Michael Polansky. Speaking to USA Today about writing Blade of Grass, she said they started working on the song after getting engaged.
She recalled a conversation in which he asked how she would like to be proposed to, and she told him that even a simple blade of grass wrapped around her finger would be enough for her to say yes.
She also spoke about changing her life within the last five years, realizing she wanted better for herself. Before they started dating, Michael pointed out that she could be much happier.
While it was difficult to hear, as she had been trying to hide her unhappiness, his honesty helped her acknowledge her true feelings. Over the years, through friendship and love, he supported her in ways that allowed her to take control of her life, something she is deeply grateful for.
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