Gaga and 'Judas'

With the recent release of Lady Gaga’s new album there was much anticipation about what controversy would be sparked. Just yesterday the new video for her single “Judas” was released, and as expected a firestorm of criticism was sparked. In the video Lady Gaga plays Mary Magdalene who is apart of an apostle motorcycle gang led by Jesus. With their names on the back of their leather jackets they ride to a party at the Electric Chapel. Just like many of her other videos “Judas” has sexual scenes, one of the most radical being flailing around in a bathtub with both Judas and Jesus as she washes her feet. 

Catholic League spokesman Bill Donohue was one of the first ones to heavily criticize Gaga’s morals and actions saying “this is a stunt…Lady Gaga tried to continue to shock Catholics and Christians in general: she dresses as a nun…she swallows the rosary. She has now morphed into a caricature of herself” (FOX 411). The video undoubtedly has imagery and references referring to Catholic iconography. It is an eye-catching video with amazing technology, lavish costumes, and talented dancers that will appeal to her target audience. The song has a catchy beat and rhythm and will be at the top of the music industry’s chart if it continues on the same path as her other hits. Gaga’s indifference to the judgment and criticism she has received has only fueled her extremist visions.

            Gaga’s creative director Laurieann Gibson said that her team went through a lot of trouble to make sure they never crossed the line but otherwise the video does not emulate or offend any religion specifically but rather “its about the inspiration and to never give up. We’ve created a new Jerusalem” (FOX 411).  

After watching the video there are obvious religious reference but I never felt offended or felt like she took it too far, if anything I was very impressed with the costume and set design. The Catholic League did not feel as strongly as Donohue saying “she typically dances on the line without going over the line” (FOX 411). This behavior is very typical of Lady Gaga and she loves to push the envelope. Although there are some people she offends it has not had any drastic affect on her popularity or career. This is video would have been immediately be banned from television years ago but the fact that it has not shows the direction our society has gone in and how our definition of civility has changed.