Lady Gaga has spoken candidly about a difficult period in her life following the filming of A Star Is Born, revealing that she experienced a serious mental health crisis she describes as a “psychotic break.”
In a recent interview, Gaga shared that she was taking lithium while working on the 2018 film, a medication often used to treat mood disorders such as bipolar disorder and severe depression. Despite the success of the movie—which earned her an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Shallow” and an Oscar nomination for Best Actress—she said her personal life was unraveling behind the scenes.
“There was one day that my sister said to me, ‘I don’t see my sister anymore,’” she recalled. That moment led her to cancel her tour and seek psychiatric care.
Gaga described the aftermath of filming as overwhelming, saying she “completely crashed” and went through a period where she struggled to function. She also admitted there were moments when she didn’t believe she would recover, calling it one of the most frightening experiences of her life.
“I feel really lucky to be alive,” she said, adding that while it may sound dramatic, she understands how serious the situation was.
The singer also reflected on how earlier trauma and years of emotional suppression contributed to her struggles. During that time, she said she needed to step back completely in order to begin healing.
Later projects, including House of Gucci, were also affected, with Gaga revealing she had additional support on set due to her mental health at the time.
In contrast, she says her more recent work has helped her rebuild. She described her latest album era as a process of “rediscovering everything I’d lost,” crediting it with helping her regain a sense of stability and identity.
Today, Gaga says she feels healthier and more grounded, emphasizing the importance of support, love, and taking time to heal after intense emotional and professional pressure.