Lady Gaga has spoken out for the first time about the negative reception and underwhelming box office performance of Joker: Folie à Deux, a sequel to the 2019 hit Joker. In an interview with Elle, Gaga shared her perspective on the criticism the film received, stating that rejection is simply part of the artistic journey. “People just sometimes don’t like some things,” she said, emphasizing that as an artist, one must be prepared for mixed reactions. “You keep going even if something didn’t connect in the way you intended.”
The highly anticipated film, which saw Joaquin Phoenix return to his Oscar-winning role as the infamous DC villain, Arthur Fleck, alongside Gaga’s character, faced a much colder reception than its predecessor. Joker: Folie à Deux, directed by Todd Phillips, was a musical that ventured into darker and more unconventional territory, focusing on Fleck’s dual identity while exploring a love story. Despite high expectations, the sequel was met with a disappointing performance at the box office, grossing only $58.3 million domestically, far below the first movie’s impressive $96.2 million opening. It also earned a poor D Cinemascore and a bleak 31% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The negative reviews and underperformance have been a tough pill for many involved in the film to swallow. The film was also nominated as one of the “worst” movies of 2025 by the Razzie Awards, with Lady Gaga landing a nomination for “worst actress.” However, Gaga’s response highlights a resilience that is characteristic of a seasoned artist. She acknowledges the difficulty of facing failure but stresses that the fear of it can be damaging: “When that makes its way into your life, that can be hard to get control of. It’s part of the mayhem.”
Despite the backlash, Gaga’s attitude remains positive and determined. She recognizes that not all artistic endeavors will resonate with everyone, but believes that continuing to push forward is what defines success in the long run. This philosophy reflects a deeper understanding of the creative process, where vulnerability and resilience go hand in hand.
Joker: Folie à Deux saw a different tonal shift compared to its predecessor, with Phillips co-writing the screenplay with Scott Silver. In addition to Phoenix and Gaga, the film also featured a strong supporting cast including Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, and Zazie Beetz, who reprised her role from the first movie. While the film’s reception may not have met expectations, Gaga’s ability to remain grounded in the face of adversity speaks volumes about her character, both as an artist and as an individual.
