The Evolution of Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga was born this way — 26 years ago to be exact.
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The Evolution of Lady Gaga\r - Lady Gaga was born this way — 26 years ago, to be exact. Today, March 28, is the pop star's birthday and her little "Monsters" around the world are surely celebrating. In honor of the Haus of Gaga's national holiday, BET.com takes a look back at her journey. \r\r\r(Photo: Candice Lawler/Interscope Records)
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The Evolution of Lady Gaga - Lady Gaga was born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta on March 28, 1986, in New York City.
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The Evolution of Lady Gaga - People always forget that Gaga might not be Gaga if it wasn't for Akon. After years of toiling on the New York rock and dance scene and working behind the scenes as a songwriter, Gaga jumped to a new level when she worked on a reference track for the "Locked Up" star, who was so impressed that he signed her to a joint deal under his label, Kon Live, and Interscope. (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
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The Evolution of Lady Gaga\r - Gaga's 2008 debut, The Fame, took a while to live up to its name. The first single, "Just Dance," was released in April of 2008, and took almost a full year to climb to the top of the Billboard charts, in January of 2009. \r\r\r(Photo: Courtesy Interscope Records)
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The Evolution of Lady Gaga\r - Gaga's fame grew even more in the wake of two of her signature hits, "Pokerface" and "Paparazzi." The two singles — not to mention her out-of-this-world fashion visuals and fashion — pushed Fame to sell 15 million copies worldwide, quickly establishing Gaga as a star.\r \r\r\r(Photo: Courtesy Interscope Records)
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The Evolution of Lady Gaga\r - In 2009, Gaga quickly capitalized on her fame by launching a worldwide tour — highlighted by theatrical sets, off-the-wall wardrobe and impressive dancing — and releasing the Fame Monster EP featuring another Gaga trademark, "Bad Romance." \r\r\r(Photo: Courtesy Interscope Records)
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The Evolution of Lady Gaga\r - Fame Monster also featured "Telephone," Gaga's collabo with Beyoncé, accompanied by a racy video featuring the two sirens matching up move for move and note for note. With this song and "Bad Romance," Monster sold millions worldwide, and landed a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album.\r\r\r(Photo: Courtesy Interscope Records)
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The Evolution of Lady Gaga - Gaga fever reached a high point last year with the release of her second full-length, Born This Way. On the back of the hit title track, the album sold over a million copies its first week on the shelves, the fastest sales mark in five years.(Photo: Courtesy Interscope Records)
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The Evolution of Lady Gaga - Even as Gaga broke records on the charts, she still managed to make just as big waves with her next-millenium performances, fashion and visuals. Who can forget when she arrived at the 2011 Grammys in an egg? (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
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The Evolution of Lady Gaga - But Gaga's impact has stretched far beyond music. She's also been an outspoken advocate of LGBT rights, and a noted critic of the U.S. military's now revoked "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy. (Photo: Cliff Kucine/Getty Images)
