In a candid revelation, Lady Gaga shared that she required lithium treatment while filming A Star Is Born, and experienced a severe mental health breakdown during her tour around the same time. The pop icon and Oscar-winning actress described the emotional toll of embodying her character Ally, whose journey mirrored some of Gaga’s own battles with trauma and vulnerability.

Gaga says her sister told her she didn’t even recognize her anymore … leading to Gaga canceling the tour so she could simply focus on her own mental well-being. She says she even needed to go into a hospital to receive psychiatric care at one point.

The pressure of performing, coupled with the intensity of the role, led Gaga to seek medical support to stabilize her mental health. She has long been an advocate for mental health awareness, and her openness continues to inspire fans worldwide to prioritize emotional well-being.

The star explains during this period she just “crashed. It was really scary. There was a time where I didn’t think I could get better.…  I feel really lucky to be alive. I know that might sound dramatic, but we know how this can go.”

Gaga’s certainly rebounded from these struggles … taking the world by storm with her “Mayhem” world tour — and, she’s up for 7 Grammy awards in next year’s ceremony.

Her story is a powerful reminder that even the brightest stars face darkness—and that healing often requires courage, support, and transparency.