For over a decade, I have always been excited to see what Lady Gaga would wear next to a red-carpet event. From The Fame Monster to A Star is Born era, her looks never fail to impress and break boundaries. But what happens when there is a boundary set for her looks?
The Chromatica era arose during the COVID pandemic, a hard time for all industries, let alone the music industry. Gaga performed acoustic from her home at April 18 virtual concert "One World: Together at Home", but the socially distant VMA's brought a new opportunity to elevate her artistry and make a statement.
Lady Gaga's seven VMA outfit changes, all including masks, have made headlines and best dressed lists, and this gives me hope for the future of live entertainment.
By Gaga incorporating elaborate masks made by designers Diego Montoya, Smooth Technology and Maison Met into her iconic fashion, she has shown how celebrities can move into the new age of health and cautiousness in a safe way. Gaga even performed "911" and "Rain on Me" alongside Ariana Grande with a mask on.
Grande and Gaga - "Rain on Me"By MTV on YouTube
Her performances and appearances wearing these masks showed me how show business has the opportunity to continue - but with the addition of these safety measures.
Her dancers also wore masks, some bedazzled and some with protruding silver spikes, but all CDC approved. And if these performers put on a show for millions of at-home viewers in a mask, you can wear one to the supermarket. And the simple task of mask-wearing will help keep you and others safe, and ultimately help us get to do things we love again, like enjoy live entertainment.
"Wear a mask, it's a sign of respect," Gaga said after accepting the first ever 'Tricon' award recognizing her effect on the world of music and fashion, as well as activism.
With celebrities like Gaga who not only tell their audience to wear masks, but actually wear them themselves, I have faith that live entertainment can return in new ways, and one day we'll be together, shouting, "RAIN. ON. ME."
