Lasting Legacy of Lady Gaga: A Look at the Influence on History

A closer look at the lasting mark left by Lady Gaga—a timeline of influence.

Lady Gaga, born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, is a highly influential American singer, songwriter, and actress. She is renowned for her constant image reinventions and versatility, solidifying her place as a major figure in popular music and the broader entertainment industry. Her career encompasses successful ventures in music, film, and television.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1937: Original A Star is Born movie

A Star is Born, the 2018 movie Lady Gaga starred in, is a remake of the 1937 film of the same name.

2009: Named Greatest Pop Star of 2009 by Billboard

In 2009, Billboard named Lady Gaga "the Greatest Pop Star of 2009", recognizing her rapid rise and game-changing impact on the music industry.

2010: University of Virginia College of Arts and Sciences writing course: "GaGa for Gaga: Sex, Gender, and Identity"

During its Fall 2010 semester, the University of Virginia College of Arts and Sciences introduced a writing course titled "GaGa for Gaga: Sex, Gender, and Identity" exploring gender and sexual identity through the lens of Lady Gaga.

2010: Forbes' Celebrity 100

In 2010, Lady Gaga was included on Forbes' Celebrity 100 from 2010 to 2015 and 2018 to 2020. She also appeared on their list of the World's Most Powerful Women from 2010 to 2014 and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine.

2010: One of Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2010, Time named Lady Gaga one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

2010: Wearing the meat dress to the MTV Video Music Awards

Lady Gaga wore a dress made of raw beef to the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, which was supplemented by boots, a purse, and a hat also made out of raw beef. Vogue named her one of the Best Dressed people of 2010 and Time named the dress the Fashion Statement of the year as a result.

2011: Guinness World Record for Largest Gathering of Lady Gaga Impersonators

In 2011, 121 women gathered at the Grammy Awards dressed in costumes similar to those worn by Lady Gaga, earning the 2011 Guinness World Record for Largest Gathering of Lady Gaga Impersonators.

2011: Named the "Queen of Pop" by Rolling Stone

In 2011, Lady Gaga was named the "Queen of Pop" in a ranking by Rolling Stone based on record sales and social media metrics.

2011: University of South Carolina course: "Lady Gaga and the Sociology of the Fame"

In early 2011, the University of South Carolina launched a course titled "Lady Gaga and the Sociology of the Fame" to examine the sociological dimensions of Lady Gaga's fame.

2011: Born This Way Foundation creation

The Born This Way Foundation was named after Lady Gaga's 2011 single and album.

2012: Ranked Fourth in VH1's Greatest Women in Music

In 2012, Lady Gaga was ranked fourth in VH1's Greatest Women in Music and was featured in the exhibition 'The Elevated. From the Pharaoh to Lady Gaga' at the National Museum in Warsaw.

2012: Meat dress displayed at the National Museum of Women in the Arts

In 2012, Lady Gaga's meat dress was displayed at the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

2013: The Fame listed as one of the 100 Greatest Debut Albums of All-Time by Rolling Stone

Due to the success of The Fame, which was listed as one of the 100 Greatest Debut Albums of All-Time by Rolling Stone in 2013, Lady Gaga has been credited as one of the musicians that popularized synth-pop in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

2013: Most Famous Celebrity

In 2013, according to Guinness World Records, Lady Gaga was the most famous celebrity. She also topped Forbes' list of the Most Powerful Musicians and ranked second in Time magazine's readers' poll of most influential people of the past ten years.

2014: Most Powerful Popstar

In 2014, according to Guinness World Records, Lady Gaga was the most powerful popstar. She was also included on Forbes' list of the World's Most Powerful Women from 2010 to 2014.

September 2015: Meat dress enters the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In September 2015, Lady Gaga's meat dress entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

2015: Time notes Gaga had practically invented the current era of pop music as spectacle

In 2015, Time noted that Lady Gaga had "practically invented the current era of pop music as spectacle", recognizing her influence on contemporary pop music and performance.

October 2018: Billboard article tracing back Gaga's videography

In October 2018, Rebecca Schiller traced back Lady Gaga's videography from "Just Dance" to the release of A Star Is Born. Schiller noted that following the Artpop era, Gaga's stripped-down approach to music was reflected in the clips for the singles from Joanne, taking the example of the music video of lead single "Perfect Illusion".

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2018: Named second most influential female artist of the 21st century by NPR

In 2018, NPR named Lady Gaga the second most influential female artist of the 21st century, acknowledging her role as one of the first major artists of the Internet age.

2019: Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People

In 2019, Lady Gaga was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine.

2019: Again Named One of Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2019, Time again named Lady Gaga one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

2020: Billboard's Greatest Music Video Artists of All Time

Billboard ranked Lady Gaga sixth on its list of "The 100 Greatest Music Video Artists of All Time" in 2020, recognizing her culture-shifting music videos.

2020: "Born This Way" listed in "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time"

In 2020, Rolling Stone listed the album "Born This Way" among "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time."

May 2021: "Born This Way Day" declared in West Hollywood

In May 2021, West Hollywood declared May 23 as "Born This Way Day" to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the album Born This Way and its cultural impact.

2021: People ranks Lady Gaga number one on their "Best Dressed Stars"

In 2021, People ranked Lady Gaga number one on their "Best Dressed Stars" list.

2021: "Bad Romance" Recognized by Rolling Stone

In 2021, Rolling Stone featured Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" and its music video on their respective lists of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" and "100 Greatest Music Videos of All Time".

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2022: Review of The Chromatica Ball

In 2022, Chris Willman of Variety reviewed The Chromatica Ball and wrote that Gaga "could have further played the authenticity card for all it's worth" after the release of Joanne and A Star Is Born, but instead "has determined to keep herself weird".

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2023: Included among the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time by Rolling Stone

In 2023, Rolling Stone included Lady Gaga among the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time, solidifying her legacy as a vocalist.

2024: Fifth on Billboard's list of the Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century

In 2024, Lady Gaga placed fifth on Billboard's list of the Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century, cementing her status as a significant figure in pop music.