In September 2017, Lady Gaga fans experienced one of the most traumatic moments in pop culture. Her performance at Rock in Rio, scheduled for the next day, was canceled at the last minute. This decision, announced on September 14th, became part of the festival’s history and became a meme on Brazilian networks over time. Now, eight years later, a new interview reveals what really happened.
At the time, Gaga’s team reported that she was experiencing severe pain from fibromyalgia, a chronic illness she actually has. However, in an interview published by Rolling Stone magazine this Thursday (11/13), the artist said that during the Joan tour he suffered from what he described as a “psychotic disorder” that made it impossible for him to perform in Brazil.
“I canceled my tour. There were days when I went to the hospital for psychiatric treatment. I needed to rest. I couldn’t do anything… I was completely heartbroken. I was really scared,” the singer said.
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Lady Gaga performing at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro on May 3, 2025
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Lady Gaga held out the Brazilian flag during a speech at her concert in Copacabana
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In addition to her Rock in Rio show, Gaga canceled 10 more shows in Europe scheduled for February 2018. She also revealed that she recorded the Golden Globe and Oscar-nominated film A Star Is Born (2018) while taking lithium, a mood stabilizer used for conditions such as bipolar disorder.
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“There was one day when my sister said, ‘I’m never going to see her again,'” he said. “There was a moment when I thought it couldn’t get any better…I feel really lucky to be alive. I know it sounds dramatic, but we know how this situation ends.”
This turbulent period influenced the creation of the album “Mayhem” (2024). The title can be translated as “chaos”. Despite this, Gaga has stated that she currently considers herself to be a “healthy, sane person.” She also emphasized the importance of support from her partner, Michael Polanski, during her recovery.
Brazil, I am devastated that I am not fit enough to come to Rock in Rio. I would do anything for four hours, but right now I have to take care of my body.
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) September 14, 2017
In Brazil, the cancellation became a milestone on social media. Gaga’s post apologizing to X remains one of the most memorable memes on the national internet. Another moment that sticks in collective memory is the video of Driver announcing he wouldn’t be performing and fans outraged.
There are a lot of people who traveled to see it because she’s not coming anymore. https://t.co/hUZbcNy3V4 pic.twitter.com/f74PN8HTuG
— ParaTerabicha (@ParaTerabicha) November 4, 2025
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