The surest way to squash social rumors about one’s personal life? Take ownership of the narrative—and reiterate reality. Lady Gaga took to TikTok to address whisperings around a potential pregnancy, her message punctuated with her standard sort of stylized makeup look.
“Not pregnant, just down bad cryin’ at the gym,” wrote Gaga, the (entirely relatable) Taylor Swift reference followed by a reminder of voter registration season. Though her cheeky and direct clap-back alluded to time spent working out, her full glam suggested additional endeavors. Along with slicked-back and wig-capped peroxide, Gaga’s bleached brows, glossed lips, and graphic wings of liner suggested prep for her forthcoming Vegas residency, Lady Gaga: Jazz & Piano.
Gaga is just one of the many celebrities who has openly discussed the body shaming involved with being in the public eye. Earlier this year, Selena Gomez spoke to her followers on TikTok directly about the issue, saying: “I tend to hold a lot of water weight and that happens very normally, and then when I’m off it I tend to kind of lose weight. I just wanted to say and encourage anyone out there who feels any sort of shame for exactly what [you’re] going through, [when] nobody knows the real story… you’re beautiful and you’re wonderful.”
For Gaga, the straight-to-camera video doubled down on her main character energy when she mouthed “I don’t have to find an aesthetic, I am an aesthetic.” The takeaway? Gossip is best addressed head-on and with a look strong enough to match the sentiment.