MadonnavsLady Gaga

Beef timeline

1. 2025

   Lady Gaga Names Madonna as Inspiration at iHeartRadio Music Awards

   Public statement

   While accepting the Innovator Award at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards, Lady Gaga listed Madonna among key artists who inspired her career.

   Source ↗

2. February 2019

   Madonna and Lady Gaga Pose Together at Oscars Afterparty

   Verified event

   Madonna and Lady Gaga were photographed embracing at Madonna's annual Oscars afterparty following Lady Gaga's Academy Award win for 'Shallow', signaling an end to their public dispute.

   Source ↗

3. December 3, 2018

   Madonna Posts and Deletes Archival Interview Clip

   Public statement

   Madonna shared an archival 1989 interview clip on her Instagram Story featuring a quote about '100 people in a room', which media outlets noted was similar to a phrase Gaga repeated during her 'A Star Is Born' press tour. Madonna later deleted the repost.

   Source ↗

4. 2017

   Lady Gaga Addresses Dispute in Documentary 'Gaga: Five Foot Two'

   Public statement

   In her Netflix documentary 'Gaga: Five Foot Two', Lady Gaga expressed admiration for Madonna while voicing frustration that Madonna criticized her through the media rather than directly.

   Source ↗

5. October 2016

   Lady Gaga Differentiates Herself From Madonna in Interview

   Public statement

   In an interview with Zane Lowe on Beats 1, Lady Gaga stated that she and Madonna are 'very different', noting her own role as an instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer while acknowledging Madonna's career.

   Source ↗

6. February 25, 2015

   Madonna Addresses Feud in Rolling Stone Interview

   Public statement

   Madonna stated in Rolling Stone that her only criticism of Lady Gaga was when she felt Gaga 'blatantly ripped off' one of her songs, while also calling Gaga a 'very talented singer and songwriter' and downplaying wider rivalries.

   Source ↗

7. January 13, 2012

   Madonna Describes 'Born This Way' as 'Reductive'

   Public statement

   In an interview with ABC News, Madonna commented on 'Born This Way', stating that when she heard it on the radio it sounded 'very familiar' and called it 'reductive'.

   Source ↗

8. 2012

   Madonna Performs Mash-Up on MDNA Tour

   Verified event

   During her MDNA Tour, Madonna performed a mash-up of 'Express Yourself' and 'Born This Way', inserting 'Born This Way' lyrics and choreography into her song.

   Source ↗

9. 2011

   Lady Gaga Releases 'Born This Way' Prompting Comparisons to Madonna

   Public statement

   Following the release of Lady Gaga's single 'Born This Way', listeners and critics noted stylistic and melodic similarities to Madonna's 1989 single 'Express Yourself'. Lady Gaga rejected accusations of plagiarism, stating the songs only shared a standard disco chord progression.

   Source ↗