Lady Gaga is known for pushing the boundaries of music, fashion, and performance art. She has built a reputation as an enigmatic and eccentric pop icon who mesmerizes audiences with her larger-than-life stage presence. But what many people don’t know is that behind the scenes, Lady Gaga follows a strict set of superstitious rituals before every performance
From believing in the supernatural to performing peculiar pre-show routines, Gaga is deeply influenced by rituals that she believes enhance her energy, creativity, and success. Whether it’s her obsession with ghosts, lucky objects, or chanting incantations, these quirks make her even more fascinating.
So, what exactly does Lady Gaga do backstage before taking the stage? Let’s dive into her most bizarre superstitions and backstage rituals.
1. Lady Gaga’s Fascination with the Supernatural
Lady Gaga has openly expressed her belief in spirits and supernatural forces. She believes that energies from other realms can influence her performances, and she takes special precautions to protect herself.
One of her most famous backstage rituals involves cleansing the space of negative energy before she performs. She has been known to:
📌 Burn sage (smudging) – A ritual used to ward off negative spirits and create a purified environment.
📌 Use crystals – She carries special energy-charged stones to enhance positivity and strength.
📌 Consult a spiritual advisor – She has reportedly worked with mystics who guide her through rituals before shows.
In fact, Gaga once revealed that she hired a paranormal investigator to check her hotel rooms for ghosts before staying in them. This isn’t just an act—it’s a real fear for her!
2. The Ghost That Haunts Lady Gaga – “Ryan”
One of Lady Gaga’s creepiest superstitions is her belief that she is haunted by a ghost named Ryan.
Who is Ryan?
🔹 Gaga reportedly began feeling the presence of this ghostly figure during her tours.
🔹 She claims that Ryan follows her everywhere, including backstage and in hotel rooms.
🔹 While Ryan has never harmed her, she insists that his presence is unsettling.
To deal with her paranormal fears, Gaga has taken extreme steps, including:
📌 Spending $50,000 on ghost-hunting equipment to scan her tour venues.
📌 Hiring a full-time spiritual team to conduct spiritual cleansing sessions before concerts.
📌 Speaking to spirits through meditation and rituals to keep Ryan at bay.
This deep-rooted belief in the supernatural fuels many of her backstage rituals and has become an integral part of her tour life.
3. The “Sacred Circle” Ritual Before Every Show
One of Lady Gaga’s most well-known pre-show rituals is gathering her team in a sacred circle before stepping onto the stage.
What Happens in the Sacred Circle?
🔹 Lady Gaga and her crew hold hands in a circle.
🔹 They chant prayers and affirmations to bring in good energy.
🔹 They visualize a powerful performance and set their intentions.
📌 Gaga believes that this sacred circle creates a powerful energy field that ensures a flawless performance.
📌 She insists that no one can miss the ritual, as it is essential for good luck.
For Gaga, this is more than just a tradition—it’s a spiritual necessity that connects her to her team and helps her channel her best energy on stage.
4. Her Lucky Items – The Must-Have Objects Before a Performance
Like many superstitious artists, Lady Gaga has lucky charms that she always keeps with her before performing.
Some of Gaga’s Most Important Lucky Objects Include:
✅ A rosary from her grandmother – She holds onto it for protection.
✅ A special cup of tea – She insists on drinking tea from her favorite cup before every performance.
✅ A lucky pair of fishnet stockings – She believes they bring her luck on stage.
📌 She is also known to carry a handwritten note from her mother, which she believes brings her strength and emotional grounding before every major event.
These items may seem small, but for Lady Gaga, they hold immense spiritual and emotional power.
5. The “No Meat” Rule Before a Show
Lady Gaga follows a strict “No Meat” rule before stepping on stage.
📌 She refuses to eat meat-based meals before performing because she believes it weighs down her energy.
📌 Some fans speculate that this stems from her interest in spiritual energy—certain belief systems claim that eating meat before a performance can lower vibrational energy.
📌 Instead, Gaga prefers light, plant-based meals and plenty of herbal tea before taking the stage.
This practice aligns with her belief that food can affect spiritual and creative energy, making it an important part of her pre-show superstition.
6. The Special Pre-Show Vocal Chanting Ritual
Lady Gaga doesn’t just do standard vocal warm-ups—she follows a special chanting ritual before every show.
📌 She reportedly chants sacred phrases and sounds before singing.
📌 These sounds are believed to enhance vocal power and clarity.
📌 She sometimes includes Tibetan throat singing techniques, which she believes connects her to higher energies.
This practice is not just about vocal preparation—it’s about aligning herself spiritually before stepping on stage.
7. The “Good Luck” Dance Backstage
Before each show, Lady Gaga and her dancers engage in a wild, free-flowing backstage dance to shake off nerves and bad energy.
Why This Dance Matters to Gaga:
✅ It is a fun and stress-relieving practice.
✅ It releases nervous energy before stepping into the spotlight.
✅ It serves as a bonding moment for the team.
📌 This dance is not choreographed—everyone moves however they feel. Gaga believes that this free movement creates a sense of empowerment and unity before the show.
8. Avoiding Certain Colors and Numbers Backstage
Lady Gaga has admitted that she is superstitious about certain colors and numbers.
📌 She reportedly avoids the number 3 in dressing room setups.
📌 She dislikes wearing green costumes on stage, believing they bring bad luck.
📌 She prefers red and black stage outfits, which she feels bring strength and confidence.
These small but important details show how deeply superstition plays into her backstage preparations.
Conclusion: Lady Gaga’s Rituals Are Part of Her Magic
Lady Gaga’s backstage superstitions might seem unusual, but they are a key part of what makes her performances so iconic. From cleansing spaces of ghosts to sacred chanting, lucky objects, and ritualistic dances, Gaga ensures that her spiritual energy is fully aligned before hitting the stage.
Her beliefs might seem bizarre to some, but to her, they are an essential part of what keeps her grounded, confident, and at her creative best.