For the past year or so there has been much speculation around the physical & mental well being of Lady Gaga.  In a recent interview with Larry King she spoke about her health.

Delayed appearances, cancelled gigs, recently reported calls to emergency services all started to make sense when twenty four year old Gaga – real name Stefani Germanotta - was asked about her health during the interview, & more specifically whether she suffered from the condition ‘lupus’. In response Gaga confirmed that she has been tested for lupus - for which she has a genetic pre-disposition - & is ‘borderline positive’. She also said that she currently displays no symptoms of lupus but has to take care of herself. Lupus is in my family and it is genetic,” Gaga said. “The truth is, I don’t show any signs, any symptoms of lupus. But I have tested borderline positive for the disease. So, as of right now, I do not have it, but I have to take good care of myself.”

Lupus -  systemic lupus erythematosus - is an auto-immune disease, where the body’s immune system malfunctions, and creates antibodies which instead of protecting the body from bacteria & viruses, attacks healthy tissues. In the case of lupus, the immune system attacks the skin, joints, kidneys, and several other organs. The most common symptoms of lupus are joint pain and arthritis, specifically in the fingers, hands, wrists, and knees. It can cause extreme fatigue, anaemia & aching muscles. It can vary widely between one sufferer & another & within the same sufferer at different times.

Gaga had previously revealed in an interview that she had been tested for lupus, also referring to recent health problems. “I have heart palpitations and… things.” She said at one point & then “…but it’s OK. It’s just from fatigue and other things,” When asked when she last called emergency services she replied “The other day. In Tokyo. I was having trouble breathing. I had a little oxygen, then I went on stage. I was OK. But like I say, I don’t want anyone to worry.”

Difficult to diagnose, & often missed, lupus – which predominantly effects females - can mimic other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis & multiple sclerosis. To make a diagnosis there need to have been a minimum of four out of a possible eleven internationally recognized conditions, although alternative lists are also available. Presumably Gaga meets some of these criteria to make the borderline category. Pre genetic disposition is relevant, & Gaga refers to this. Her aunt is believed to have died from lupus when she was nineteen back in the seventies.

Gaga has talked at different times about her connection to her aunt – Joanne - . She has also expressed her emotions with regard to the deaths of Michael Jackson & Alexander McQueen. Death is a recurrent theme in her performances. She referred to her fascination with death in the recent interview with Larry King: “Some of my fascination with death and the demise of celebrity [comes from] watching people I have admired become destroyed, whether by themselves or by the media.”

Although there is no known cure for lupus & it can be fatal, nowadays with more medical knowledge & treatments available death from the disease is much rarer.

Posted: June 7th, 2010 under Uncategorized.
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After a meal in a restaurant, even us ‘simple folk’ leave a tip. But you know what these celebs like - always have to go one better. So maybe new pop star on the block Lady Gaga decided to try and set a new trend by tipping waiting staff at a restaurant recently with a signed handkerchief!

The singer, famous for recent classics ‘Let’s Dance’ and ‘Poker Face’ decided to leave a lacy square handkerchief with her signature and a black lipstick mark as a tip at London eatery Hakkasan after enjoying a meal with fellow pop star Mika (who also tipped generously, but in a more traditional fashion!) on Monday night.

Another diner at the restaurant said: “She left them a lace hankie with her black lipstick print on it and her signature. Mika also left a hefty chunk of cash.” – not bad!

Apparently, staff at the restaurant was pleased with the very unusual tip to make up for a night of very demanding behaviour.

Who Said Pop Stars Were Demanding?!

First of all, the singerwas said to be dresses very noticeably in bright pink thigh-length lace-up boots , underpants, a tuxedo jacket and an oversized hat – not usual attire for a meal methinks!

Worse still, after wearing this provocative attire, she demanded to be re-seated because another diner was “ogling” her – probably thinking they were dreaming and wondering when the clowns were going to pop up or the fish start singing!

Later she also insisted that staff help her look for her Chanel bag which she had apparently lost, which was later found after much panicked searching by a diner who spotted it under an abandoned napkin. – it’s always in the last place you look isn’t it??!

Though for the star, I suppose the frenzied search made sense as she openly admits to spending all her money on fashion: “I plough all my money back into my shows and props. You could say I’m the Carrie Bradshaw of couture,” she said.

So, what do you recon the chances of the rest of us getting away with that are??!

What Do You Think?

Would you be impressed if a star tipped you with a signed hankie? Was her behaviour too demanding and diva-like? Leave your comments here.

Posted: April 22nd, 2009 under Uncategorized.
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