Top 10 Outrageous Lady Gaga Performances

#10: “Just Dance” NewNowNext Awards (2008)

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Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta stepped out on to the music scene as Lady Gaga and was ready to take the world by storm with her debut single off her debut album, “The Fame”. “Just Dance” had only been released one month prior to the singer’s first ever televised performance at the NewNowNext Awards in New York City. After being introduced by Destiny Child’s’ very own Michelle Williams, Gaga commanded the stage to sing a song that only took her and producer RedOne 10 minutes to write. Her television debut ignited her popularity, and paved the way for more live performances; for as the single got bigger and bigger, so did she.

All eyes were on the Queen of Pop as she graced the red carpet on a two-man supported white horse. She continued to bring the wow factor with her presidential themed performance of “Do What U Want” on the AMA stage. With an oval office set, R. Kelly played the president and Gaga his secretary, the line “You’re the Marilyn I’m the president” further suggests their interpretation of the famous Marilyn Monroe JFK rumours. However, it’s Gaga’s vulnerable finale that truly leaves us stunned. A backdrop of hurtful headlines imply another meaning of the song: the media has control of the singer’s body. But once again the Queen proves that nothing can break her spirit.

The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards opened to reveal a factory onstage and ‘fake’ Gagas roaming around until the real Gaga came out to play “Poker Face”. As the pop star finished singing the nominated song, the factory broke down and she was sent down the ‘rejected’ chute. To the audience’s surprise out came two bedazzled, burned up piano players ready to wow the crowd with an incredible medley of songs old and new. Sir Elton John helped Lady Gaga to sing “Speechless” just before blending into “Your Song”. Clad in a green sequin bodysuit with shoulder pads and matching glittery glasses, Gaga proved that she had both the vocals and piano skills to play alongside ‘Rocket Man’.

Apart from her incredible voice, Lady Gaga is perhaps best known for her unique stage attire. And no performance was better representative of that than her 2011 rendition of “Marry the Night” on the X Factor UK. Emerging from a space-age confessional booth, Gaga appears almost twice her height at first glance, before you realize she’s actually wearing a headless mannequin on her shoulders. She’s accompanied by a Gothic dance troupe and surrounded by smoke and flames as a seizure-inducing light show adds to the pandemonium. Meanwhile, Gaga’s just belting her heart out, looking like the “best costume” winner at your last Halloween party.

#6: “Bad Romance” and “Speechless” American Music Awards (2009)

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2009 was a huge year for Lady Gaga, as it saw the release of her third album “Bad Romance”, spawning the title track that some critics would hail as her best song to date. So it only made sense when she graced the stage of the 2009 American Music awards that she orchestrate a performance no one could forget. Starting with an energetic rendition of “Bad Romance”, with her and the supporting cast in skeletal looking costumes, Gaga then ‘breaks through’ to her softer side, offering up her track “Speechless” from behind a flaming piano. Gaga smashes empty bottles of whisky across the piano as huge balls of fire emerge from the piano’s body, leaving audiences all over the world speechless.

#5: “Star-Spangled Banner” Super Bowl (2016)

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Although not an original, Lady Gaga sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl 50 as though it was. Dressed in a red custom Gucci pantsuit with patriotic platform heels to match, Gaga looked like America as she sang the song that represented it. Her slow, opera version suited her voice and was delivered so effortlessly. Her passionate performance not only got the crowd ready for the game but the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers as well. The Super Bowl is one of the most-watched events in the United States and around the world, but that didn’t stop Mother Monster from killing every moment of it.

Audiences at this particular taping of X Factor were in for a special treat, as Gaga was set to premiere her song “Venus” as part of medley with “Do What You Want”. With a stage design landing somewhere between a Little Mermaid and Romeo and Juliet, Gaga sashays her way through the club-friendly chorus of “Venus” before setting the mood for the sultry “Do What You Want”. Vanishing only for a second, Gaga returns a brunette, and for this song she gets particularly intimate. Always dressing to impress, this performance gained Gaga a bit of controversy in the UK, as some viewers found it too provocative for primetime television. Nonetheless, if it had people talking, it had to be outrageous, so it’s got to be on our list!

The MTV VMA’s of 2013 was an interesting award show to say the least. Justin Timberlake reunited with N’Sync before accepting the Michael Jackson Vanguard Award and Miley Cyrus twerked on then married Robin Thicke with a carefully placed foam finger. As memorable as these moments are, Lady Gaga proved that she too is worth remembering with her elaborate performance of “ApplauseThe slow introduction and buildup led to her intricately choreographed routine which incorporated 4 onstage wig and costume changes. With each transformation came an outfit that reflected every reinvention of herself, and she never missed a beat of her performance. Gaga’s powerful pipes and quick dance moves remind us of why she rightfully lives and deserves applause.

Mother Monster returned to the Grammy stage to perform and accept 3 awards for her album “The Fame Monster” in 2011. Gaga suggested an incredible performance was yet to come after arriving to the show in a giant egg housing an oxygen tank and fan. Proving her profound commitment to her art, Lady Gaga remained unhatched and had her assistants tell the press that “She’s in an embryonic state and won’t be born until the performance”. Once born onstage, the Queen of Pop emerged wearing latex from head to toe while sporting shoulder and facial prosthetics to complete her ultra modern aesthetic. Her beautiful performance of “Born This Way” reflected her passion for music and her goal to spread self-love.

#1: “Paparazzi” MTV Video Music Awards (2009)

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Radio City Music Hall was the place to be on September 13, 2009. Audience members watched Kanye West interrupt Taylor Swift’s “Best Female Video” acceptance speech Madonna pay tribute to the late Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga leave the stage a bloodied mess. Her performance of “Paparazzi” had Gaga written all over it: beautiful set design, perfectly timed choreography, elaborate costumes and naturally a piano segment with her leg propped on top. Her theatrical interpretation of the song brought about a bloody finale that made everyone’s jaw drop as they watched the singer hang herself on a rope as the lights went out. Lady Gaga took home the Best New Artist Award that night and that performance definitely proved why. Do you agree with our list? Which of Lady Gaga’s other live performances do you think were the most outrageous? For more jaw dropping Top 10’s published every day, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.