In order to be a superstar, there are many things that factor into claiming such a title. I don't just think of someone whose name is known worldwide. I don't just envision someone who can fill a stadium full of screaming fans waiting eagerly to see their idol.
Instead, I picture someone who is abundantly influential. I think of a person who you aspire to be like, someone who you would be proud to call your big sister or big brother. In pop culture today, there are very few characters that can fit the tight squeeze into these categories. Sure, we have Katy Perry. Perry may fit the mold of the typical female pop star. With her pretty face and catchy love songs, she most definitely catches the eye of teenagers worldwide. But, still, there is some depth missing from her pop star persona.
Sure, we have Eminem. Marshall Mathers may have the hard exterior that every teenage girl wants to date, and every teenage guy wants to emulate, but still there is something lacking from his overall worldly appeal. To me, there is one person who fits all these attributes and much more. This person is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. This person is Lady Gaga.
Coming from a Catholic school in New York City, Gaga grew up on the Upper West Side of one of the country's most electrifying cities. Raised by an Italian family, Gaga first played the piano at age four and wrote her first song at age 13. Gaga was never the most popular girl in school. With her unique style and flamboyant nature, she was never the typical favorite amongst the girls, or the nuns for that matter. But, this didn't prevent her from pursing her dream.
For college, Gaga briefly studied at the prestigious Tisch School of Performing Arts at NYU. Obsessed with fame and culture, Gaga decided to drop out of school and continue to pursue her music career -- a risky decision, to say the least. A mere seven years later, Gaga is not only one of the biggest names in pop music, but one of the most influential people on the planet.
What makes Gaga so unique? At first, maybe it was her music. Her first two albums, The Fame and The Fame Monster are electro-pop music albums with gut-wrenching dance synths and heart-thumping tunes. Although her music is catchy and no doubt just typical pop, it wasn't until the release of her third studio album, Born This Way, that she really started to make a difference.
The message of the album is simple: you are who you are and can be whoever you want to be. But the meaning behind the message is what sets Gaga aside from everyone else. Never in my generation has there been someone who preaches such a meaningful message to her fans, or so-called "little monsters." "Little monsters" are mostly a mixture of teenagers and young adults who have at some point in their lives felt left out or unwanted by someone somewhere. What Gaga has done for the LGBT community is life-changing. She has not only fought and prayed for their future, but has embodied a type of spokesperson to stand up for what they believe in. This past year, Gaga has helped repeal the policy of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and has made great contributions to the passage of same-sex marriage laws in her home state of New York.
Still, Gaga has a worldwide appeal, ranging from these types of fans to my lawyer of a father. Just recently, Gaga has been named one of the most influential business people in the world by Vanity Fair. She is just one of three entertainers to make the selective list.
What's next for Gaga? Only time can tell. But, we can be sure that more show-stopping performances and influential speeches will be on her radar. This woman is not just a pop star. She is a revolutionary artist who pushes the limits everyday of her life, and for that, the whole world should be thankful.