Lady Gaga breaks down in the middle of Tokyo concert, condemns 'merciless' ICE

TOKYO, JAPAN: Lady Gaga stopped her concert at the Tokyo Dome on Saturday, January 29, to deliver an emotional message about immigration enforcement in the US, using her global stage to speak out against ICE and express solidarity with Americans she said are living in fear.

Midway through one of her Mayhem Ball tour performances in Japan, the pop star set aside the spectacle to address the audience directly, telling fans her thoughts were with families back home as she prepares to return to the US.

“I’m going to be heading home in a couple of days, and my heart is aching,” Gaga said, according to footage from the show.

She described thinking about “the people, the children, the families all over America who are being mercilessly targeted,” adding that she believes lives are being “destroyed right in front of us”.

Lady Gaga denounces ICE raids

Although she acknowledged she was performing thousands of miles away from the US, Gaga emphasized that distance did not diminish her sense of responsibility to speak.

“I know we’re not in America right now,” she told the Tokyo crowd, “but we are with our community, and we love you.”

Her remarks drew applause inside the packed dome, as Gaga framed the issue not just as a political debate, but as a moral and human one.

She said she was especially troubled by how fear has spread through entire communities, eroding people’s sense of safety and belonging.

“When that happens,” she said, “it breaks something in all of us.”

During her speech, Gaga specifically mentioned Minnesota, where tensions have escalated following the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis.

The incident has sparked national outrage and protests, and Gaga is scheduled to perform in nearby St Paul later this spring.

“I’m thinking about Minnesota,” she said, noting that people there are “living in so much fear and searching for answers.”

Lady Gaga dedicates a song to those ‘suffering’

After her remarks, Gaga dedicated her song “Come to Mama” to those she said are struggling, grieving or feeling isolated.

She described the dedication as being for “everyone who is suffering”, including people who feel alone or helpless and those who have lost loved ones or are facing “an impossible time.”

“We need to get back to a place of safety and peace and accountability,” Gaga said before performing the song.

“Good people shouldn’t have to fight so hard or risk their lives for basic well-being and respect.”

She added that she hopes political leaders are listening, urging them to “change course swiftly” and show mercy.

Growing celebrity backlash over ICE protests 

Gaga’s comments place her among a growing list of high-profile entertainers who have publicly criticized ICE in recent weeks.

Actors and comedians including Mark Ruffalo, Olivia Wilde and Wanda Sykes have used major award-season platforms like the Golden Globes and Sundance Film Festival to condemn immigration enforcement practices.

Unlike brief red-carpet remarks, Gaga’s comments unfolded in real time during a live concert, lending them a more personal and unscripted tone.

The Tokyo shows mark the end of the Japan leg of Lady Gaga's tour. Gaga is set to perform at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, where she leads the field with seven nominations, including album of the year for Mayhem and song and record of the year for “Abracadabra”.