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Lady Gaga: “I feel like a loser!”

May 10, 2011 By 29 Comments


This is fascinating 4 minutes of video! Lady Gaga making an admission of her feeling like a loser. Many of the teenagers in our youth groups see her as one of the most famous people in the world and Lady Gaga is simply a little girl…a little girl who hasn’t grown up. Many teachable moments captive in this clip!

If you choose to watch this video, listen for:

1. The broken, little, young teen who hasn’t grown up, is occupying an adult body, and desperately trying to be someone. It’s kind of sad.
2. The prayer she prays. It’s kind of interesting.
3. The “S” word—it’s used 3 times. WARNING: If you’ll be offended, don’t listen. It’s kind of ironic.


Lady Gaga Presents: Gaga Revealed by HBO

(thanks to brit windel)

So, what do you think? How might you use this in your youth ministry?

Filed Under: Communication, posts, Video, youth ministry Tagged With: , , , , ,
  • http://jonhomesley.com Jon Homesley

    Doug,

    I have a completely mixed response.

    1. Heartbreak. The young lady can hardly put her feelings into words. She senses missalignment, and yet comes to wrong conclusions. Makes me wonder what people told her when she was growing up. She obviously carries a lot of baggage. Should help students realize that life is not about being who you want to be, but finding who God created you to be.

    2. Frustration. The pseudo-christian vibe that she displays is incredibly dangerous. From the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. It gives the false reality that Christianity is the sum of a few words you say in prayer, but your beliefs/words/actions outside of the 30 second prayer can completely contradict it.

    Would love to show it to students, but I would be careful. You would have to strike the balance between pointing out her inconsistencies, and being the jerk pastor who condemned the already hurting girl. (who happens to be the biggest teen icon in the world)

    • http://www.facebook.com/craig.piefer Craig Piefer

      Jon,
      Great thoughts.

  • http://www.nobusiness.org Jeremiah Isley

    Wow, just wow.

    Doug, you’re right, many, many teachable moments packed into these 4 minutes. Where to begin?
    I think the thing that screamed out at me, is that even though she apparently has proven someone in her past wrong, by becoming this HUGE icon, probably the biggest celebrity in a decade, it’s still NOT ENOUGH, she still feels like a loser. She’s trying to be a winner for her fans, and the dancers and the band and the music, and even in her words “the Lord.”. But she doesn’t name the name of Jesus, or speak to the Lord about His Son. She hasn’t found the peace and grace and restoration and redemption that there is in knowing Jesus. Even with 15K+ adoring fans, who would all give up everything to be her. Without Jesus she has no fulfillment, no peace.

    I’ll post a “cleaned up” version of this for any youth workers who would like to use it without getting phone calls from parents about swears being made at church!

    Thanks for posting this Doug, blessings,

    Jeremiah

    http://www.NoBusiness.org

  • SSmith

    I went to the Gaga concert in Los Angeles….. It was horrible. Blasphemous and a misuse of religion. The clip you used on your blog I think is her schtick. She is using that idea of her feeling like a loser to relate to her fans but I don’t think it is authentic.

    She introduced her guitar player and said his name was “Jesus Christ”. Said that like Jesus Christ her guitar player was happy to be in Los Angeles so that he could love all women and all men equally (she was talking sexually). The show felt like she was specifically there for the gay community and the heterosexual community was an afterthought. A lot of graphic stuff. She spoke frequently of what Jesus Christ would do in a way I believed was blasphemous. .

    She used the F word endlessly and GD frequently. It was really the most disturbing show because she is so talented as a dancer and has a great voice but doesn’t feel like she can stand on just those things to be successful… She has to add all these other unseemly elements and our culture is loving her for it. We should be shunning her for it. From a Christian point of view, I think it is a great example (if unfortunate one) of somebody using Jesus Christ for her own promotion and acting in a way in direct opposition with how the scripture directs us to act.

  • http://www.briancberry.com Brian Berry

    Doug,

    I’m probably in the minority on this one, but I think uncut and unedited, this is exactly the kind of stuff we need to be watching with our students and getting their interaction on. I think it’s the exact kind of thing we should be showing and then using as a discussion starter. I believe it is our task as youth pastors to help our students to be thinking followers of Jesus and challenge students to engage the real world, not the straw man we like to prop up and shoot down.

    To answer your question, I’d open with this video. Then have students wrestle in small groups with 3 or 4 questions in response to it, including where does she- acting or not- accurately reflect your feelings. I’d then turn us to Scripture and look at several of the things she references. Prayer in times of despair, living to please people, and the responsibility of a leader. I suppose that might even be 3 messages. She has so much influence in teen culture- even if it is just the culture outside of our church walls. Her born this way video (which is another very controversial one to springboard off of into a sexuality discussion) has almost 48 MILLION views on youtube!

    Helping students to think for themselves and decide why they listen to her or follow her or respect her or not is the task of youth pastor in my opinion. It can’t be done in a hypothetical manner, we have to walk with students in the streets and through the eyes of their school hallway.

    • Gaddy

      Agreed!

  • http://joelmayward.blogspot.com Joel Mayward

    Fascinating clip, especially in her struggles with identity and image, her apparent desire to fit in and find belonging despite being surrounded by millions of fans. While we could critique her amalgamation of Christianity and worldly culture, I wonder how many teens essentially share the same faith–a mashup of prayers to God and relying on their own strength, self-worship and Jesus-worship going hand-in-hand.

  • http://www.nobusiness.org Jeremiah Isley

    In case anyone is interested, I’ve cleaned up (censored!) the language, and reposted the video on my blog here http://t.co/5JszbZt
    Hope it’s useful!
    Thanks again Doug for sparking the conversation, I’m using this for our youth service tomorrow night!

    Blessings,

    Jeremiah

    http://www.NoBusiness.org

  • http://joshcollesano.com Josh Collesano

    I could write for hours on this but I’ll keep it short:
    - Hurting: she’s hurting, it’s obvious, more obvious that the teens who come through our doors every week. She is much more vocal about it, almost to a bleeding-heart level.
    - Searching: Gaga, like everyone (not just teens) is searching; for love, acceptance, a voice, a platform, and for meaning and purpose in her life. She whole-heartedly believes she’s found it in the role of empowering others (which she does exceptionally well)
    - Spiritual: She was raised in a religious, Christian, Pseudo-Catholic home. She knows the religion yet is careful to keep the relationship on a surface-only level. Her prayer(s) give you an insight into the truth she KNOWS yet fails to do more with than simply recognize.
    - The Machine: She is an example of what the “Fame-Monster” can produce.

    - we must be careful not to judge her, or anyone for that matter, on a simple 4 minute candid video. She is an entertainer, an actress, and an artist at the craft of manipulation… just like me, and you. God loves Gaga as much as He loves me, and both her and I are equally undeserving of that Love. I appreciate her honesty, passion and willingness to let something like this be put out there… even if in the end it’s for her benefit anyways (her greatest asset is her connection with her fans on the emotional level)

    good stuff guys… I appreciate everyones comments and thoughts.

    Josh

  • http://www.bradcooper.us Brad

    The lie propagated by Satan is REAL in this clip — He would have us esteem self…

  • http://linebehind.com Josh Pezold

    If nothing else this is an important clip to show our sponsors, youth coaches, parents, etc and talking through the need for children to learn what identity in Christ looks like, and how our mission and gifts from Him can never be fulfilled or satisfied apart from a relationship with Him. The beginning of this clip seems to be crucial. And beginnings are important because the set the foundation of the rest of the story that follows. It’s interesting that the thing that got her “upset” when walking into the dressing room was thinking about all those people how have tried to stop her (most likely those who have rejected her, ignored her, called her names, etc.) and then the pain when talking about her fans as if THEY are the ONLY ones willing to accept her for WHO she is in some shape or form. The cry for acceptance and unconditional love is throughout this clip and even demonstrated in her prayers. Shows us that if people don’t find the acceptance they need in the BODY of Christ, they will continue to search for it somewhere else.

  • http://adammclane.com adam mclane

    I think this is just propaganda.

    Would I show this to students? Maybe if I knew she were genuine.

    How would I use it as is? Sheep, goats, and wolves… how do we distinguish between people who are for real and people who are pulling our heart strings to get us to part with our money.

  • Stephen Carter

    I think for too long we have been fooling ourselves in Christian leadership into believing that we can’t use things like this as teaching points in ministry. Whether we choose to believe it or not, Lady Gaga amongst many others are being listened to by both Non-Christians and Christians alike. The Bible is of course the standard by which were are to hold ourselves accountable and we must teach in a way that gets students into the Word. However, using a video like this, regardless of the language could make a bigger impact on kids, its meeting them at their level with something relevant to them. I for one enjoyed watching it and believe it could be a tool for youth workers worldwide. A pop icon who seems like she has it all who is clearly broken. There are so many different areas of discussion that could come from this video.

  • http://jerrythinks.wordpress.com Jerry Varner

    The ironic thing here is that with all the attention and aghast responses Gaga gets, she is entirely un-unique in her yearning for love, for acceptance, and for support. She’s still seems to be at the center of her own universe which is where we can find most any human being. I think this is a great clip for insight into her behind-the-scenes struggle. If I used this video, I think I’d springboard it into the idea that the weight of worship isn’t something our shoulders were ever meant to bear. Worship inevitably crushes humans and I think the endless line of pop culture examples bears that out, not to mention the example of Lucifer himself. Worship wasn’t meant for humans or even angels, but for God alone. This video clip screams Gaga’s agony of being worshiped and the resulting pressure that comes from that.

    Thanks so much for sharing this.

    • http://linebehind.com Josh Pezold

      Awesome insight

  • http://suzier.blogspot.com/ Suzie

    I look forward to hearing from other youth pastors. I am considering showing this to our youth. I don’t think our parents of Sr. High would mind the few S words. But would probably be more concerned with our 6th-8th grade students. I wouldn’t want to make students feel like we are bashing her but I think it would be a great conversation starter to get students thinking about the deception of Satan give us about ourselves. And what it means to be a Christian. They see too many people give lip service to God or praying publicly and not living as a Christ Follower.

  • doug

    Just now getting to read comments…very good stuff here. If you want to show it but might fear reaction because of the cussing… Jeremy has made edits: http://www.NoBusiness.org/

    • http://www.nobusiness.org Jeremiah Isley

      Still getting hits from this link on my blog. Came back to see what conversation I may have missed. Looks lively and tons of great insight! Thanks for posting the link! I’m even ok with the misspelling of my name. :)

  • http://crossroadsaltered.blogspot.com/ Aaron cuyler

    I am showing this at group tonight in conjunction with the “the law- now” from the live curriculum. I think its a pretty good representation of the sense of missing “satisfaction” people have when they live, and are judged under the law. Aside from Christ we can never experience the “value” we desire. We will see how it goes!

  • Melissa Slocum

    The LinC (Living in Christ) curriculum for Youth (available through Abingdon Youth/Cokesbury) is using her video “Judas” and some other interview material to teach youth about claiming Christ’s redemptive power in an upcoming issue (released May 29th to subscribers). There is much more to it, but there are many interesting angles that one could pick up. Rejection, betrayal, forgiveness, confronting darkness or fear, and self-image are all good topics that could be explored. The curriculum has both Jr. High and Sr. High programs that are easily adapted.
    http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/digitalstore.aspx?lvl=digital%20curriculum&catname=linc&sortorder=5

  • http://www.facebook.com/craig.piefer Craig Piefer

    Tell you what. I’m meeting with my small group in an hour in and a half from know. (6 smart, leader type freshman guys, as much as freshman can be smart and leaders) We will have an open discussion about it and I’ll let you guys know how it goes. (i’ll use the edited version provided by nobusiness.org since I have not given parents a heads up)

    If it blows up in my face I’ll blame Doug! Except if I blame someone else I will just “B-Lame”, right Doug?

    • http://www.facebook.com/craig.piefer Craig Piefer

      Mixed bag. Couple guys thought it was fake. But good discussion mostly. It did not go as spiritually deep as I thought it would, but the guys brought out some good point and good topics to expand on. One guy pointed out that she prayed like they do, same words, even same rhythm, but her theology was all messed up (worship of people not God). The guys thought that she must have hung out with some christian kids and even went to church, but she never really got it. I ask the guys if they thought she was a christian, one guy (who is home schooled) immediately said she is not, because she cussed 3 times; that lead to a good conversation. (I hope he is wrong about loosing salvation by swearing otherwise I’m out too) The best conversation came after I asked if the guys thought that she thought she was a christian. Overall good small group. Then we played Ultimate!

  • Bill

    Marketing tool. She (or her marketing team) is/are great at connecting with the teenage kids out there. Making them think she understands them. Meeting them where they are. She has a generation wrapped around her finger.

  • Duane Paulson

    Can’t tell from watching if this is genuine or not, but I think we should do as Luther suggests and put the best construction on everything. Definitely some teachable moments here.

  • http://suzier.blogspot.com/ Suzie

    I’m using it this Sunday I’ll let you all know how it goes.

  • Deitra

    After watching this video it just reaffirms my belief that Lady gaga is an absolute manipulator. From the beginning she has attempted to create this image of a larger than life little girl lost. She presents herself as a person who is in control and yet also as a vulnerable, as she puts it ,freak. She attempts to endear herself to the hearts of her young fans and those who experience alienation in society for different reasons. She frequently says I am one of you. She has said that she believes her purpose lies in liberating people’s minds and lives from oppression. In fact If you watch her video that came out before Judas she presents herself as an alien goddess giving birth to a race of “little monsters”. Constantly she presents the struggle of “good” vs. “evil”, then showing that what is perceived as evil or wrong is actually what is good and right. We need to wake up. This woman prances around with strange horn like growths on her body, preaches about homosexuality and promiscuity as good, and presents an image of Jesus that is pretty much the antithesis of who he really is, she bathes in blood onstage during her shows, and walks around wearing the meat of dead animals as clothing. Does no one see that there is a big issue when we start accepting this kind of behavior and start asking our children how they relate to Lady Gaga? All of the music that has been released from her recent album has a twisted Christian perspective. After hearing the songs played on the radio I decided to check out the videos and I was appalled. Gaga has made it clear that she believes she can change the world with her perspective and speaks down frequently about Christianity. In fact she encourages her followers/fans to pity Christians for their limited and wrong beliefs in God. Her most recent song and video Judas are outright blasphemy. Gaga is making a statement and many people are listening and joining in with her. As Christians we need to wise up and start taking a stand for what we believe in. There are people like Lady Gaga with lots of power and influence who are taking a stand and making an impact for their warped views and beliefs. Christians are being painted as ignorant bigots who deserve pity. In trying to be open minded we shouldn’t play into this game. There is a right and a wrong. Wisdom should be exercised when dealing with this.

  • Read

    We dont have to criticize what others are doing as wrong or blasphemous. God is the truth. Let your voice be loud of love. Lady Gaga is a broken sinner just like any of us. She’s also one of the most influential celebrities of the current time. All our students know who she is. They probably listen to her music and they probably idolize her. It’s sad that she has so many followers, so many “little monsters”. But what’s more sad is that they see her as more relatable than their youth leaders/parents/pastors. Are we not vulnerable enough?

  • http://suzier.blogspot.com/ Suzie

    I forgot to update you on when I used this clip 2 Sunday’s ago. It went over pretty well. I actually used a lot of the comments left on here. I told them these were opinions that people had after they saw the clip for the first time. I used http://www.polleverywhere.com to poll the room and see if they thought she was being real, manipulative, or not really sure. The majority picked manipulative which surprised me. I guess I thought more of our students were into her and would relate. We talked about Christians bearing fruit and what kind of fruit we saw her bearing. We also talked about Brian “Head” Welch former Korn guitarist and founder who became Christian and then Family Force Five a Christian Band. We talked our purpose and using our passions/talents for God it was a good morning.

  • Gab

    Thanks Suze! After reading some the comments, I was saddened by the judgment and criticism and wondered whether people can move past that and use this clip for good/God. Our children will know mainstream culture – whether we like it or not. Whats the saying? be in the world not of it…Discussing this gives the youth another tool they need in this lifelong battle of choice and how to live that Christ centered life.