I went out into the woods for a few days. I just disconnected from everything and allowed myself to be free and be human. Because, that's what makes you really good, if you can be vulnerable, if you can be vulnerable on stage.

The way that I sing, what I sing about, what I wear, who I am, this is me. I was born this way.

I work all day, do research, sketch my ideas, prepare for performances.

No matter gay, straight or bi, lesbian, transgendered life, I'm on the right track baby I was born to survive.

I was doing these performance art pop music pieces in the city. And they were a bit on the eccentric side I suppose. So people started to call me Gaga after the Queen song 'Radio Gaga.'

cause it's a hard life, with love in the world. and i'm a hard girl, loving me is like chewing on pearls.

I had a boyfriend who told me I'd never succeed, never be nominated for a Grammy, never have a hit song, and that he hoped I'd fail. I said to him, 'Someday, when we're not together, you won't be able to order a cup of coffee at the f***** deli without hearing or seeing me.'