Lady Gaga: One Sequin at a Time

Sonia Anderson's unauthorized biography explores the pop culture phenomenon of multi-platinum artist Lady Gaga, culling footage from award shows, live performances, and previous interviews, while also adding comments from producer RedOne (Nadir Khayat), singer Michael Bolton, and author Helia Phoenix (Lady Gaga: Just Dance—The Biography). Viewers will learn that Yonkers-born Stefani Germanotta (the child of Italian immigrants) took piano and voice lessons before turning to songwriting. Stefani's father, an Internet entrepreneur, sent her to the Convent of the Sacred Heart, where she made good grades but felt out of place. After graduation, the singer moved in burlesque circles until she met producer Rob Fusari, who dubbed her “Gaga”—after Queen's “Radio Ga Ga”—and her music career took off (the program doesn't mention that Fusari later sued her for $30.5 million after she abandoned him). While tracing Lady Gaga's rise to superstardom, the film points to various sources of inspiration, including Britney Spears and New Kids on the Block, for whom she wrote songs; Cyndi Lauper, with whom she appeared in a MAC cosmetics ad campaign; and Madonna. Rounding out the portrait are discussions of Gaga's fashion sense, elaborate stage shows, support of gay rights, and rumors that she once was a man. Overall, Lady Gaga emerges as a hardworking entertainer who enjoys her success and appreciates her fans. Unfortunately, however, none of her hits appear on the soundtrack. A strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (K. Fennessy)