In an annual list put out by Forbes this week, Lady Gaga was named the eleventh most powerful woman in the world. Surprised? Well, she was born that way.
“The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women” list is a compilation of leading ladies who excel in three categories: money, media and impact. When it comes to those things, “Mother Monster” is the trifecta.
The shocker isn’t that she ranks so high, but it’s that ex-syndicated-talk-show-host-slash-mega-millionaire-slash-producer-slash-publisher Oprah Winfrey fell just below her at number 14.
Sure, she has her own magazine and television network and she’s an extraordinary woman with a certain political influence, but let’s be honest. Ever since she retired her mic for “The Oprah Winfrey” show, her buzz just isn’t the same anymore.
Health science junior Asha Peters believes Oprah has accomplished more through her career as a “timeless personality” that will forever be highly influential. If Oprah still continued doing her show and had more of a reoccurring presence, she probably would have beat Gaga, she said.
“You can’t pin (Gaga) down. Today it’s more appealing to stand out, and people like that because it makes them feel more accepting of themselves despite how society wants them to be,” Peters added.
The world is gaga for Gaga. Following her debut with the hit single “Just Dance” in 2008, Gaga, born Stefani Germanotta, quickly rose to the top, transforming into the “fame monster” she is today.
Not only is she one of the most powerful women to walk the land (in mega-tall platform heels), but she also reigns supreme in Forbes’ list of “The World’s Most Powerful Celebrities.”
Money-wise, Gaga raked in $90 million this last year with the help of her encored Monster Ball tour and record-breaking “Born This Way” album. Her fan base, “Little Monsters,” support her not only through her musical endeavors, but also through her numerous endorsements: she’s on their lips (MAC Cosmetics), in their ears (Monster headphones) and they’re “telephoning” with their Gaga sponsored Virgin Mobile phones.
We can’t deny it: Gaga rules the realm of media.
According to Forbes, she made 4,376 appearances on TV and the radio as of August. As of Friday, her uploaded YouTube videos accumulated 1,763,618,649 views (LadyGagaVEVO). She hit the billion-view milestone almost two weeks before teen sensation Justin Bieber.
In social media, Gaga is winning like Sheen with 13,026,433 Twitter followers and 42,947,443 Facebook fans.
As far as her impact goes, Gaga is so much more than a talented performance artist. Lady Gaga has gone above and beyond: Her career is devoted to her Monsters and their well-being. She preaches strong messages of equality, self-expression and liberation on her platform of fame and status.
“We have to protest ... I will not cancel my show. I will yell and I will scream louder and I will hold you, and we will hold each other, and we will peaceably protest this state. Because if it wasn't for all you immigrants, this country wouldn't have s***,” she said during her Phoenix stop of the Monster Ball about SB1070, according to Rolling Stone.
In September 2010, she rallied the crowd with her “The Prime Rib of America” speech in Maine against the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.
A passionate activist, social celeb and breadwinner, Lady Gaga proves to be so much more than a performance artist with catchy songs. She’s a brand. There’s a reason why Alejandro can’t stop calling her name.
Send your poker face to Ashley at alhaines@asu.edu.
