Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (
STEF-ən-ee JUR-mə-NOT-ə; born March 28, 1986), known professionally as
Lady Gaga, is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She is known for reinventing her image and showcasing versatility in entertainment. Gaga started performing as a teenager by singing at
open mic nights and acting in school plays. She studied
Collaborative Arts Project 21 before leaving to pursue a music career. After a contract cancellation by
Def Jam Recordings, Gaga worked as a songwriter for
Sony/ATV Music Publishing. In 2007, she signed with
Interscope Records and
KonLive Distribution. Her breakthrough came the following year with her debut studio album,
The Fame, and its singles "
Just Dance" and "
Poker Face". The album was later reissued along with
The Fame Monster (2009), which yielded the successful singles "
Bad Romance", "
Alejandro" and "
Telephone".
