Tessa Perkins - Representation theory

1. Lady Gaga – Born This Way
Analysed using Tessa Perkin’s theory

2.  Lady Gaga's video of Born This Way applies strongly to Tessa Perkins theory of
stereotypes. Lady Gaga's ideologies here are represented as a typical 'pop-princess'
whom aims to inspire and gain the attention of her audiences. When I think of Lady Gaga
I think of a crazy, wild yet inspirational woman. Shoe dos not conform to the 'rules' of
society and her partially explicit nature has gained her a lot of media attention over the
years.
 Her outfits and costume choices are one way of expressing her creativity yet bizarre
personality. At the start of the Born this Way video she is seen a creative piece that
would not been seen on anyone else, therefore she is establishing her individuality and
establishing her image and ideologies to the viewers. Other examples of her outrageous
costumes include her ‘meat dress’ which she wore to the 2010 MTV Video Awards. A
dress made entirely out of raw beef. Another example is her fond desire for Alexander
McQueen’s armadillo boots. Measuring 30cm in height (11.8inches) they are usually
shoes only seen on the runway, but Lady Gaga owns many which she has worn in
multiple music videos. Her bizarre fashion sense sets her apart from any other artist in
the world, therefore almost establishing her own stereotype.

3.  However outsider of her music videos Gaga tries to portray herself as a 'normal' individual therefore
changing her ideologies in order to become more relatable to her audiences. She loses the strange
costumes and attire and represents herself as being a ‘normal pop star’. She is conforming to the
stereotypical pop star image by doing this as most modern pop-stars generally have two different
ideologies so they can be more relatable to their audiences. She follows the stereotypical pop star front
in interviews as she is confident within herself, confident in front of the camera and addresses her
audiences when speaking in interviews. Like most stars she offers meet-and-greet with her fans which
enable them to be able to visualise her as a good role model.
 Gaga has a strong opinion on world views and so she expresses these in her music, stereotypically
famous artists develop into being good role models for younger generations. In her song ‘Born This
Way’ she embraces the freedom of sexuality and diverse ethnicity and believes in the freedom and
acceptance of everyone within society. This she expressed in interviews and through her social media,
she has proven this by undertaking charity work and she is known to have worked to help various
causes such as AIDS & HIV, Alzheimer's Disease, Bullying, Cancer, Children, Civil Rights, Creative
Arts, Depression and Suicide, Disaster Relief, Economic/Business Support, Education, Family/Parent
Support, Grief Support, Health, Human Rights, LGBT Support, Lupus, Poverty, Unemployment/Career
Support.
 This represents her as a good role model for younger children while also conforming to the
stereotypical ‘generous pop star image’.
 The Born This Way Foundation (BTWF) is an American non-profit organization founded in 2011 by
recording artist Lady Gaga and her mother Cynthia Germanotta. Established at Harvard University, and
named after Gaga's second studio album Born This Way (2011), the foundation aims to inspire youth
and build better communities. The foundation aims to create a "braver, kinder world" for youths;
create safe-spaces, promote the learning of life skills, and provide opportunities to improve their local
communities. In September 2012 Gaga was awarded the LennonOno Grant For Peace from Yoko
Ono for her work with the foundation "actively campaigning on pro-tolerance and peace issues.
- Wikipedia

4.  Lady Gaga has branched out into other mediums and media’s which is unconventional for a pop star.
The stereotypical pop star will maybe be featured in ad campaigns or advertisements for large
international companies. However, Lady Gaga has made a name for herself by turning to acting as
another form of media. She has recently begun starring in the popular series American Horror Story.
This s unconventional for a pop star but Lady Gaga has established herself as a multi talented artist
and is contradicting the typical stereotype.
 Lady Gaga teamed up with the iconic fashion designer Tom Ford and debuted his Spring/Summer 2016
collection with a provocative music video featuring the legendary songstress which debuted on Friday. –
www.dailymail.co.uk
 Gaga also featured as the face of Versace’s spring campaign in 2014. She looked glamourous and
flawless modelling the bags for the large international company. She was complimented by many over
social media, conforming to the stereotypical ‘pop-princess’ image.

6.  Other artists that are in the same genre as Gaga have similar stereotypical features. The ‘pop-princess’
stereotype refers to young, attractive females within the pop genre. Another example could be Miley
Cyrus, who first appeared on our screens as Disney’s Hannah Montanna in 2006. She then progressed
to be a girly country singer, covering songs like Jolene in her backyard. In 2013 Miley decide to get rid
of her long brown locks and opted for a short blonde pixie cut before changing her image as a whole.
She began dressing in ‘barely-there’ outfits and her persona and ideologies changed alongside her new
look. Her video of ‘wrecking ball’ created controversy on the internet and became a huge hit, while
being mimicked by many. However, this gave Cyrus publicity even if people were taking it as a joke.
 Like Lady Gaga modern day Miley Cyrus has established her own ideologies which reflect the pop-
princes genre. Her outfits, like Gaga’s, are pretty outrageous and the 2015 MTV awards proved that she
had created her own self image. She is kind to her fans, and like Gaga refers to them regularly in
interviews, conforming to pop star image.
 Miley Cyrus has also conformed to the ‘generous pop star’ image and has contributed to a variety of
charities and causes such as Addiction, AIDS & HIV, Animals, At-Risk/Disadvantaged Youths, Cancer,
Children, Civil Rights, Creative Arts, Depression and Suicide, Disaster Relief, Education, Environment,
Family/Parent Support, Grief Support, Health, Homelessness, Human Rights, Hunger, LGBT Support,
Miscellaneous, Parkinson's Disease, Philanthropy, Poverty, Senior Citizen Support, Sports, Substance
Abuse, Unemployment/Career Support, Veteran/Service Member Support, Women
 She also set up a charity named The Happy Hippie Foundation, it is a non-profit organization with their
mission to rally young people to fight injustice facing homeless youth, LGBTQ youth and other
vulnerable populations.

7. - http://www.happyhippies.org/