Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, better known by her stage name Lady Gaga, is an American pop singer and songwriter. She was born on March 28, 1986 in New York City to an Italian family, Joseph Germanotta, internet entrepreneur, and Cynthia, in telecommunications.
Lady Gaga began playing piano at the age of four and later went on to write her first piano ballad at thirteen. At age seventeen, Gaga attended New York University's Tisch School of Arts, where she studied music and improved her songwriting skills.
By 2008, Gaga had relocated to Los Angeles, and soon followed her debut album The Fame, which sold over twelve million copies. Its lead single "Just Dance" received a
Grammy Award nomination for Best Dance Recording. "Poker Face" won the award for Best Dance Recording at the 52nd Grammy Awards, over nominations for Song of the Year and Record of the Year. Later Gaga released The Fame Monster, a collection of eight songs that focused with the darker side of fame.
Lady Gaga is inspired by artists such as David Bowie, Queen, Madonna, and Michael Jackson. Gaga was chosen as of one the "10 Most Fascinating People of 2009" by Barbara Walters during Walters' annual ABC News special. As of August 2010, Gaga has sold more than 15 million albums and 51 million singles worldwide. Time magazine and Forbes included Gaga in its annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world and the 100 Most Powerful and Influential celebrities in the world.
Lady Gaga album, Born This Way, is scheduled for release in 2011.
