Is Lady Gaga Heading For A Breakdown in 2014?

It's time to play armchair, unqualified, pop psychologist. Today we welcome to the clinic our first- and most likely last- patient: the oft-outlandish Lady Gaga. A Diva who has sadly been exhibiting some bizarre behavior of late. Let's look at what's been causing the concern in more detail, below.

First up we have an original piece of art from the Diva [Exhibit A] of some kind of demon dog. Not so odd in itself, but slightly more concerning when looked at in the context of the rest of the "evidence" below. In conjunction with this extra info, it's hard not to make inferences about Gaga's mind at present, especially when she's painted something so dark and menacing. She captioned the picture with this : "Here’s my little baby demon pet today. It felt so good to share my work with you, I feel safe on this site to be myself. It’s like an underworld. I may be a musician to the world, but with little monsters I can be anything."

Exhibit A

A sweet sentiment, but one that was challenged by a fan [Exhibit B] who offered some unsolicited critique of the Diva's latest musical campaign and the fate of the delayed video for Do What U Want:

[Exhibit B]

Clearly rattled by this, Gaga took the unusual- and out of character- step of replying to the fan in a slightly admonishing way [Exhibit C].  I'd hardly deem what was said by the "Little Monster" as anything offensive, but it seems like there was more to Gaga's reply than just the correcting some untruths. It reads as if LittleMonsters.com has become the last Bastille of the singer's battered ego, a safe refuge from the criticisms of the real world, and she wants to keep that way.

The fact she chose to reply to the fan directly is problematic itself; effectively making a pariah out of this fan. It's not something I've seen Gaga do before, and in a more rational mind I'd imagine she'd have considered how her actions would make this individual a target for the more rapid fans. She is, after all, someone who has her own anti-bullying  foundation (The Born This Way Foundation), so should be aware of how the dynamics between a leader and its pack functions. One could argue that the fan "asked for it" by criticising first, but Gaga has put herself in a position of power over these fans (calling herself their "mother") and thus has a responsibility to handle her dealings with them maturely and thoughtfully. Besides, her public statement on the issue of the video, released a few days later, made the whole exchange redundant [ See bottom of post]. It did happen to send out a clear message to fans though: it's not okay to criticise Mother Monster. And I think as it echoed the thoughts attached to the painting, it was the real motive behind the response.

Exhibit C

Gaga also gave us a cryptic and odd insight into her surroundings; claiming there to be "evil" around her and that the "fame monster" was trying to take her. I don't know about anyone else, but the language used sent alarm bells ringing in my head about the Diva's state of mind. Was she just being floral with her language, or was there paranoia in her words? Who knows, but they did allow us to sadly gleam a little of the isolation she is feeling; no longer the golden child at the record label, and being let down by "people" around her. It's perhaps no wonder she's turned to her fans, the constant font of adulation, for comfort when those she has surrounded herself with are revealing their true colours. It's not a situation I'd imagine is conducive to a healthy mind, particularly when suffering with problems in your work life.

Exhibit D

Exhibit E

But Gaga is the ultimate stunt Queen who has famously studied the workings of fame. So could this all be part of her plan to keep her name in people's mouth while she readies the next big push for Artpop? This is definitely my preferred explanation. I'd rather her trollin' me than the alternative that she is on her way to a breakdown. Or- most likely-  I could be reading way too much into all of this and everything is hunky-dory ! But honestly, I think Gaga is in a perfect storm type situation for some kind of mental instability: paranoia about "friends", no support from the label and a sagging career are all bound to take their toll. I just hope she turns to professional help- and not the fans- to manage the stresses that come with the job. Either that or take some time off to just be Stefani Germanottaie, and learn to stop living for the Applause.

It is late because, just like with the Applause video unfortunately, I was given a week to plan and execute it. It is very devastating for someone like me, I devote every moment of my life to creating fantasies for you. All my my most successful videos were planned over a period of time when I was rested and my creativity was honored. Those who have betrayed me gravely mismanaged my time and health and left me on my own to damage control any problems that ensued as a result. Millions of dollars are not enough for some people. They want billions. Then they need trillions. I was not enough for some people. They wanted more. I am very grateful to the photographers and designers who have always stood by me to make sure my fans are never aware of the things that happen behind the scenes, but unfortunately after my surgery I was too sick, too tired, and too sad to control the damage on my own. My label was not aware that this was going on. The next few months of ARTPOP will truly be its beginning. Because those who did not care about ARTPOP’s success are now gone, and the dreams I have been planning can now come to fruition. Please forgive me that I did not foresee this coming, I never thought after all the years of hard work that those I called friends and partners would ever care so little at a time I needed them the most. Give me a chance to show you the meaning of seeing art all around you. Open your hearts to me again that I may show you the joy of us coming together through our talents, that we are stronger as a unit than when we are alone. Let me be for you the Goddess that I know I truly am, let me show you the visions that have been in my mind for two years. I love you. Forgive me monsters. Forgive me ARTPOP. You are my whole world.

Source:LittleMonsters
[Images sourced from Lipstick Alley]

Thoughts?