This year’s Oscars went ahead amid a heap of controversy. From its problematic host to its cutting of certain key categories from the televised event, the awards show was dramatic before it even started. But when Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper took to the stage to perform Shallow, the show reached a new level of intensity.
Gaga, born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, won the Oscar for Best Original Song for Shallow, the key song in A Star Is Born.
While accepting the award, Gaga thanked her director and co-star Cooper.
She said: “Bradley, there is not a single person on the planet that could have sung this song with me but you. Thank you for believing in us.”
The two met in April 2016 at the opening of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy where she was performing.
According to Elle, it was Gaga’s performance of Édith Piaf’s La Vie en Rose that inspired him to cast her for the role of Ally and write the song into the movie.
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Once Gaga was cast, the pair became fast friends, counting their Italian-American upbringing and love of food as factors in their instant friendship.
During the Venice Film Festival, where A Star Is Born premiered, the pair discussed their working friendship.
Gaga said: “For someone who doesn’t feel safe all the time, he made me feel so free.
“At the same time, he’s so laser-focused while he’s working. I got to live my dream.
“There could be 100 people in the room and 99 don’t believe in you, just one—and it was him.”
Speaking to Time Magazine, Cooper said of their friendship: “I love her so deeply.
“It’s because we were at our most vulnerable together.”
Speaking to Hello magazine, Gaga said: “You know, I knew I was going to be a part of something special from the moment I heard Bradley sing and when we met to talk about this movie.
“He works with such a precision and yet he’s so free as well and every single day was like a sanctuary for making art, and I love that so much and that really feeds my soul.
“I just feel so humbled and grateful to be by his side tonight and be part of this incredible cast. I’m very grateful.”
Mere minutes after their performance of Shallow, the song won for Best Original Song.
After thanking her family and Cooper in her acceptance speech, she said: “If you’re are at home and you’re sitting on your couch, all I have to say is that this is hard work.
“I’ve worked hard for a long time and it’s not about winning but what’s it’s about is not giving up. if you have a dream, fight for it.”
With their performance of Shallow at the Oscars, many have speculated there’s more to their relationship than friendship.
But this is wholly unfounded, and the pair’s intimate performance is down to their deep friendship and, you know, acting.
A Star Is Born is now playing in cinemas.