The Real Reason Lady Gaga Almost Gave Up Music—And How Tony Bennett Saved Her Career!

Lady Gaga has long been a beacon of reinvention and resilience in the music industry, but even the world’s biggest pop stars sometimes hit a breaking point. Following the release of her 2013 album Artpop, she found herself facing a level of disillusionment that nearly led her to give up on music entirely. Yet, in the midst of this creative and emotional low, her collaboration with jazz legend Tony Bennett would change the course of her career.

The Breaking Point After Artpop

By late 2013, Gaga was feeling the immense pressure of the music industry—something she’s spoken about candidly in subsequent interviews. The rapid rise to fame after The Fame (2008) and Born This Way (2011) had placed her under a constant spotlight, and the reception to Artpop, while commercially successful, left her feeling “used” and “overworked.” In a 2015 talk at Yale’s Centre for Emotional Intelligence, Gaga reflected on this period, saying, “I feel sad when I’m overworked and I become a moneymaking machine and my passion and creativity takes a backseat.” This disillusionment was not just about the music, but about the industry’s demands, from relentless promotions to the commodification of her image. By the end of 2013, she felt like she had hit a wall, with exhaustion and a sense of loss threatening to push her out of music entirely.

The Role of Tony Bennett

Enter Tony Bennett, a friend and mentor who provided Gaga with not only creative collaboration but a renewed sense of purpose. In early 2014, the two began work on their duet album, Cheek to Cheek, which debuted in September of that year. This project gave Gaga a chance to escape the overwhelming pressures of pop stardom and rediscover the joy of performing. Singing jazz standards alongside Bennett, a musical icon she deeply respected, allowed her to reconnect with the artistry that had driven her in the first place. In a 2014 interview with Parade Magazine, she said, “I tell Tony every day that he saved my life.”

A Turning Point in Her Career

The success of Cheek to Cheek was not only critical, winning the Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album in 2015, but also personal. The album’s intimate, collaborative nature reminded Gaga of why she started making music: the connection, the craft, and the opportunity to share genuine emotion. While she continued to explore new creative directions in the years that followed, including her role in A Star Is Born and her return to pop dominance with Chromatica, it was this collaboration with Bennett that reignited her passion and kept her in the industry.

What Celebrities Can Learn from Gaga’s Journey

Lady Gaga’s story of nearly quitting music underscores the importance of taking a step back, finding supportive mentors, and reconnecting with one’s original motivations. Her openness about mental health and industry pressures has also set an example for other artists facing similar challenges. By prioritizing her well-being and seeking out meaningful collaborations, Gaga not only salvaged her career but solidified her legacy as a performer who refuses to compromise on her authenticity.