Overview
- Gaga said she initially laughed at the reaction because the discourse “started getting so unhinged,” but later felt hurt given how much of herself she put into the role.
- She described using that emotional fallout as creative fuel for “Disease,” released after the film, saying she was in an artistically rebellious place.
- The sequel, in which Gaga portrays Lee Quinzel opposite Joaquin Phoenix, was widely panned and underperformed at the box office.
- Measured audience response included a D grade from CinemaScore and a 31% Rotten Tomatoes audience score, with roughly $206–207 million earned worldwide and about $58 million domestic.
- Gaga has previously said artists must accept that some work won’t connect, reiterating that she kept going even when the film’s reception was harsh.