Lady Gaga’s latest song “Perfect Celebrity” is a sharp reflection on fame and its twisted dynamics. The track, part of her 2025 album “Mayhem,” captures the artificiality, exploitation, and obsession tied to celebrity life. Known for tackling the darker side of stardom, Gaga delivers an edgy, rock-infused sound that echoes her early days.

The song feels like a direct continuation of the themes she explored in “The Fame,” but now she has fully embraced the absurdity of it all.

Lady Gaga on Fame

From the very first verse, Gaga paints herself as a manufactured product, describing herself as a plastic doll that can be pulled and pushed without feeling a thing. This imagery highlights how celebrities are often treated like objects rather than real people.

Gaga / IG / Lady Gaga leans into the idea that fame strips away humanity, making stars into entertainment machines that exist solely for public consumption.

The chorus exposes the transactional nature of celebrity culture. Gaga acknowledges the unspoken deal between stars and their fans: Celebrities provide entertainment, while the public rewards them with attention and money. The line about making people laugh in exchange for profit speaks to the relentless pressure of staying relevant in an industry that thrives on spectacle.

The Dark Side of the Spotlight

The second verse gets even more intense. Gaga plays with eerie, almost vampiric imagery, hinting at how fame drains a person while still demanding more. She describes herself as looking both hungry and flawless, an allusion to the sacrifices made to maintain a picture-perfect image.

She pushes the idea further by suggesting that fame is intoxicating, something people consume without realizing its emptiness.

Gaga also references some of her past works, tying “Perfect Celebrity” to the themes of “Plastic Doll” from “Chromatica” and the unreleased “Princess Die.” This interweaving of her past and present work reinforces her long-standing commentary on the artificial nature of fame and the toll it takes on those who chase it.

The Sound Is Gaga’s Nod to ‘90s Rock

Gaga / IG / While “Mayhem” incorporates elements of hip-hop and trap, “Perfect Celebrity” stands out with its gritty, alternative edge.

Musically, “Perfect Celebrity” dives into ‘90s rock influences, something Gaga has been passionate about since her teenage years. She has mentioned that the track originally had an electro-grunge sound, inspired by bands like The Cure. The influence of their song “Never Enough” is clear in the heavy guitar riffs and the raw energy that fuels the track.

So far, critics have praised “Perfect Celebrity” for its brutal honesty and bold production. The song doesn’t just critique the entertainment industry. It also forces listeners to question their own role in celebrity culture. Fans often idolize stars but also contribute to the pressures and expectations that make fame so suffocating. Gaga, as someone who has lived through both the highs and lows of stardom, delivers this message with authenticity.

Gaga originally considered “Perfect Celebrity” as the title track for Mayhem, which shows how central its message is to the album. While the song is layered with irony, it doesn’t feel bitter. Instead, it is a knowing, almost theatrical acceptance of the bizarre nature of fame. She is not just singing about it. Instead, she is performing the role of the “perfect celebrity” as she does it.

Sven Kramer

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