Lady Gaga has bravely opened up about a dark chapter in her life, revealing that she felt “lucky to be alive” after seeking psychiatric care while filming A Star Is Born in 2018. The pop icon, who starred alongside Bradley Cooper in the critically acclaimed movie, explained how she was prescribed lithium to help her manage the immense pressures of her schedule.
At the time, Gaga was not only shooting the film, but also preparing to release her album Joanne and embark on a major tour. However, it was during this period that she faced serious mental health struggles. Lithium, a drug commonly used to treat conditions like bipolar disorder and manic depression, was prescribed to help stabilise her mood. But Gaga revealed that this time in her life took a heavy toll on her wellbeing.
In a candid interview with Rolling Stone, she shared the painful moment when her sister expressed concern, saying, “I don’t see my sister anymore.” The stress became so overwhelming that she made the decision to cancel her tour and seek professional help. “I went to the hospital for psychiatric care. I needed to take a break. I couldn’t do anything … I completely crashed. It was really scary,” she admitted.
Reflecting on how she pulled through, Gaga shared how grateful she is to be alive. “I feel really lucky to be alive. I know that might sound dramatic, but we know how this can go,” she said, highlighting the severity of the emotional turmoil she faced.
A key part of her recovery has been the support of her fiancé, Michael Polansky, who she credits with helping her rediscover her true self. “Being in love with someone that cares about the real me made a very big difference,” she explained.
While A Star Is Born marked a monumental success for Gaga, earning her both a Golden Globe and an Oscar for her original song “Shallow,” the artist’s struggles during that time remained largely private. However, she had touched on some of her emotional battles in her 2020 song “911,” shedding light on the difficulties she faced.
Since then, Gaga has continued to thrive in both music and film, with roles in American Horror Story: Hotel, Wednesday, and as Harley Quinn in Joker: Folie à Deux. In addition, her album Mayhem released in March 2025 to widespread acclaim, and she is rumoured to be joining the cast of The Devil Wears Prada 2.
Her remarkable journey of recovery is a testament to her resilience and determination, and she remains one of the most influential figures in both the music and film industries today.