Lady Gaga admits she was 'always looking for an out' by drinking and smoking to escape her inner turmoil

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Lady Gaga has spoken candidly about her past struggles and how they have shaped her artistry.

In an exclusive interview with ELLE UK for its March 2025 issue, the 38-year-old singer and actress revealed that she often turned to drinking and smoking as a way to escape her inner turmoil.

Lady Gaga's 'escape route'

Speaking about battling her demons, Gaga shared, “I used to drink a lot and smoke a lot. I was always looking for an out."

“I called it the trap door. I needed an escape route,” she added.

Now, she says she has found peace by facing her emotions head-on.

“I stopped doing that and started being present,” she said, adding that her journey is a significant theme in her upcoming album 'Mayhem' which will be released on March 7.

Lady Gaga on the chaos behind 'Mayhem'

Lady Gaga’s seventh studio album is a deeply personal exploration of her emotional battles and creative process.

She described rediscovering parts of herself she thought were long gone during the making of 'Mayhem.'

“The chaos I thought was long gone is fully intact and ready to greet me whenever I’d like,” she said.

The album’s first track emphasizes that “your demons are with you in the beginning and the end,” a reality she has learned to embrace.

“Maybe we can make friends sooner with this reality instead of running all the time,” she added.

Gaga described the creation of 'Mayhem' as a “labor of total love,” involving a prolific songwriting process.

Lady Gaga's relationship with fiance Michael Polansky

In the interview, Lady Gaga also shared rare details about her relationship with fiance Michael Polansky.

The couple, who got engaged earlier this year, began dating in 2020 after being introduced by Gaga’s mother.

“He used to say to me, ‘You are a special human being when the cameras aren’t on you. And I get to see that all the time,’” Gaga revealed.

Polansky, an investor, expressed his admiration for his bride-to-be, saying, “Living with and coexisting alongside someone making art and being creative in ways that very few people get to experience has been incredible. I feel so lucky to witness it.”

Lady Gaga's Grammy comeback in the works

Lady Gaga is reportedly in talks to perform at the upcoming Grammy Awards, marking her first appearance on the Grammy stage in three years.

The ceremony could become a significant moment for the star, who is nominated for two awards alongside Bruno Mars for their hit song 'Die With A Smile.'

Grammy organizers are reportedly eager to secure Gaga for the ceremony, with insiders calling her performance a potential highlight of the night.

“Grammys night is going to be massive. Everyone is hoping it can truly kick-start a huge year for Gaga," said a source, according to Daily Mail.