LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The longstanding feud between Lady Gaga and Christina Aguilera is one of the most infamous rivalries in the world of music. From accusations of copycatting to negative press campaigns, the two pop icons had their fair share of disagreements. However, in recent years, they surprised the world by putting their differences aside and collaborating on a memorable performance. Today we revisit this complex relationship between two powerhouse vocalists.
Copycat claims and negative press
The seeds of the Gaga-Aguilera feud were planted in 2008 when Lady Gaga, then a rising star, accused Christina Aguilera of copying her style. Aguilera faced allegations of imitating Gaga in the promotional material for her album, 'Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits', which was coincidentally released just two weeks after Gaga's debut album, 'The Fame'. Aguilera dismissed the claims, stating that she was unaware of Gaga and spent little time on the internet, as per Daily Mail.
Perez Hilton, once a close friend and fierce supporter of Lady Gaga, played a significant role in fueling the feud. Hilton, a noted celebrity blogger, began writing negative articles about Aguilera, branding her "Floptina" and accusing her of copying Gaga's original ideas. Hilton admitted to launching a hate campaign against Aguilera, claiming that Gaga's complaints about Aguilera motivated his actions.
Hilton's articles gained attention due to his close association with Gaga, and he believed Aguilera was copying Gaga's sound and visuals for her albums. Gaga, however, never explicitly instructed Hilton to write negatively about Aguilera. Hilton admitted that Gaga used him as a tool to deal with rivals, including Aguilera. Their friendship ultimately soured, and Hilton felt betrayed by Gaga's actions as she reached unprecedented levels of fame.
The feud intensifies
The feud between Gaga and Aguilera escalated in 2011 when Lady Gaga abruptly left an interview with Perez Hilton, allegedly due to his negative questions and criticisms of her single 'Born This Way'. Gaga, feeling betrayed by Hilton's behavior, broke down during the interview. Although Gaga acknowledged that she allegedly had too much to drink, she considered Hilton's questions and negative attitude as a betrayal of their friendship.
Meanwhile, Aguilera faced a significant setback in her career with the release of her sixth studio album, 'Bionic'. The album suffered a steep decline in the UK charts, falling from No. 1 to No. 29 within a week and selling only 24,000 units. Some speculated that Aguilera's perceived insecurity about Gaga's immense fame contributed to the album's poor performance. Even Akon, Gaga's mentor, commented on Aguilera's reaction, suggesting that she struggled with Gaga's success. Despite the intense rivalry and negative press, Aguilera remained focused on her own artistic journey. She dismissed comparisons and emphasized that artists draw inspiration from others without resorting to imitation. Aguilera highlighted her powerful vocal range and expressed admiration for the risk-taking nature of younger artists like Gaga.
Reconciliation and collaborative performance
Despite their bitter history, Lady Gaga and Christina Aguilera surprised everyone by burying the hatchet and joining forces on the reality show 'The Voice'. The two pop divas put on a memorable performance of Gaga's hit song, 'Do What U Want'. They shared the stage, showcasing their incredible vocal talents and demonstrating a newfound camaraderie.
The performance marked a significant turning point in their relationship. They held hands, exchanged heartfelt compliments, and celebrated each other's artistry. Both Gaga and Aguilera emphasized their respect for one another, recognizing the importance of female solidarity in an industry that often pits women against each other.
Apologies and moving forward
In recent years, Hilton publicly apologized to Aguilera for his negative press campaign against her. He acknowledged the impact his words had on her career and expressed remorse for his actions. While the two might not be considered friends, Hilton extended apologies beyond the name-calling, recognizing the harm caused by his hate campaign.
Gaga, too, expressed regret for collaborating with controversial artist R Kelly on the song 'Do What U Want'. She removed the song from streaming platforms and vowed never to work with R Kelly again. Aguilera, in response, praised Gaga's decision and shared a photo of their joint performance, applauding her for doing the right thing.
