A Review of 'Joanne' That's Also a Review of Lady Gaga's Ever-Evolving Style
Identity, reinvention, and pink cowboy hats.
![Clothing, Lip, Skin, Hat, Shoulder, Fashion accessory, Elbow, Headgear, Costume accessory, Tan,](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Qbdr2Fsi5nMjKL7QEDAeGc-415-80.jpg)
We do not allow celebrities to reinvent themselves—much. Yet how many evolutions of Lady Gaga have we cycled through? Horned facial prosthetics Lady Gaga. Jo Calderone Lady Gaga. Jeff Koons Lady Gaga. Candlelit-jazz-holiday-advert-with-Tony Bennett Lady Gaga. Not-to-everybody's-taste David Bowie Lady Gaga.
Given her history of look-at-me outrageousness, is it a wonder that T-shirt-and-jeans Lady Gaga, the most recent version, feels like such a departure? Who *is* this woman Joanne, who plays dive bars (sponsored by Bud Light!) and wears sequined boleros to match the equally sparkly bands of her cowboy hats?
When her latest release—already poised to be her fourth chart-topper—dropped Friday, "Why is she doing country now?" probably pinged group texts everywhere. But it's not country, really—it's an at-times jumbled hodgepodge that raises further questions about sincerity and authenticity from an undeniably talented performer who's either lost her way or begun to find it, both musically and sartorially. Because we know Gaga has the range and the wherewithal to craft a persona—and this one does demonstrate her impressive ability to expand on a theme until it fills a complete, cohesive character—but is it just that? Another role when, sonically, Joanne is meant to be more authentic than ever before?
Of course, going against everything you once were is a gimmick itself—the oldest one in the fashion book—so what does it mean when someone who's clung so tightly to fashion eases off? Maybe it was, as we previously speculated, a symbol of the buckling-down making a new record requires. Maybe it was like a sorbet of sorts, to cleanse the palate between moods. (She's since returned to repping old friends Alexander Wang, Marc Jacobs, and Donatella Versace.)
Or maybe we're simply seeing who she is at this moment, which is almost certainly who she decided to be at a previous moment. So with this, this imperfect illusion of realness, Joanne's ultimate purpose might be to remind us that life as a process—that every new look can take us one step closer to becoming the people we were all along.
Follow Marie Claire on Facebook for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Chelsea Peng is a writer and editor who was formerly the assistant editor at Marie Claire. She's also worked for The Strategist and Refinery29, and is a graduate of Northwestern University. On her tombstone, she would like a GIF of herself that's better than the one that already exists on the Internet and a free fro-yo machine. Besides frozen dairy products, she's into pirates, carbs, Balzac, and snacking so hard she has to go lie down.
-
Zendaya and Team USA Gymnastics Both Endorse This Chic Nail Trend
It’s straight out of the Olympic rule book.
By Samantha Holender Published
-
Meghan Markle "Fears" Being "Heckled" If She Returns to U.K.
"The last thing she needs is the stress of going back."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Jenny Is Back on the Block—and Carrying a Birkin
The singer returned to New York City with a loud luxury outfit to match.
By India Roby Published
-
30 Linen Pieces From Nordstrom’s Sale for a Seamless Summer to Fall Transition
Shop breezy dresses and airy pants for versatile summer and autumn outfits.
By Lauren Tappan Published
-
7 Make-My-Life-Easier Items I'm Buying From the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
Grab these must-haves before it's too late.
By Nikki Ogunnaike Published
-
The Best Summer Work Shoes Don’t Have To Scream ‘Corporate'
Footwear that means business in the best way possible.
By Lauren Tappan Published
-
34 Chic Vacation Essentials Hiding in Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale
Don't board the plane without packing these items first.
By Lauren Tappan Last updated
-
The Boxer Shorts Trend Offers a Realistic Take on Lingerie Dressing
How the borrowed-from-the-boys bottom became a hero summer piece with endless style potential.
By Emma Childs Published
-
Fashion Girls Are Destined to Wear the J.Crew x Maryam Nassir Zadeh Collaboration on Vacation
Beloved indie designer Maryam Nassir Zadeh translated her essentials into the ultimate packing list.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
I'm a Style Editor—50 Last-Minute Prime Day Fashion Deals to Grab Before Tomorrow
Grab these on-sale items before it’s too late.
By Lauren Tappan Last updated
-
Fashion Editors Share the Best Work Dresses From Their Summer Uniform
From classic wrap silhouettes to breezy linens, these are the expert-approved styles we're wearing on repeat.
By Lauren Tappan Published