Lady Gaga, who takes on the role of Harley Quinn in “Joker: Folie à Deux,” shared insights into her experience portraying the character and how she personally relates to her. Gaga discussed the deeper connections she found while preparing for the role.
Reflecting on Harley Quinn’s portrayal, she stated , “Harley Quinn is a character people know from the ether of pop culture. I had a different experience creating her, namely my experience with mania and chaos inside for me, it creates a quietness. Sometimes women are labeled as overly emotional creatures and when we are overwhelmed we are erratic or unhinged. But I wonder if when things become so broken from reality, when we get pushed too far in life, what if it makes you…quiet?”
In terms of preparation, Gaga mentioned utilizing a sense-memory approach to embody the character: “What does it feel like to walk through the world and be… braced, in an intense way? And what happens when you cover up all of the complexities beneath the surface?”
The film, directed by Todd Phillips, is a musical psychological thriller and has already garnered significant acclaim, receiving a standing ovation at the 81st Venice International Film Festival.
Additionally, Gaga touched on her relationship with her fiancé, Michael Polansky, sharing that her mother met him first and believed they would marry. She described how their relationship began just before the pandemic and how they quarantined together for over a year, allowing them to deepen their bond.
Gaga expressed gratitude for not being alone during such a challenging time, saying, “I had never met anyone like Michael. He’s so smart and so kind. His life and my life are very different. He’s a very private guy, and he’s not with me for any other reason than that we are right for each other.”
As anticipation builds for “Joker: Folie à Deux,” Gaga’s take on Harley Quinn is expected to bring a unique and profound interpretation to the iconic character, while her personal reflections add an intriguing layer to her performance.
