At the packed Unipol Forum di Assago in Milan, Lady Gaga kicked off the European leg of her Mayhem Ball tour with a dazzling blend of theater, pop, and raw emotion. From the moment the lights dimmed and her name lit up the stage, fans knew they were about to witness something extraordinary.
As part of the show’s interactive design, messages from audience members appeared on screen – dedications, stories of struggle and triumph, many in Italian – turning the performance into a living conversation between artist and fans.
Gaga’s entrance was pure spectacle: a towering red gown, smoke swirling around her, dancers suspended beneath a steel cage. The concert unfolded in acts – more opera than typical pop show – with relentless energy and choreography that blurred the line between performance art and stadium concert. The audience didn’t just watch; they sang, clapped, and shouted along, becoming part of the story Gaga was telling.
Midway through, she shifted gears for a moment of intimacy. Sitting at the piano, she introduced an acoustic version of Joanne. Then, in a voice full of emotion, she told the crowd, “I’m a very, very lucky girl. The other day I was talking with my boyfriend Michael, and I told him that of everything I’ve learned, the strongest thing is the Italian pride that was passed down to me. It’s my father’s pride, my grandmother’s pride, and my mother’s.”
It was a deeply personal confession – one that connected her performance to her family roots. “Tonight I want to honor my two Italian grandmothers,” she continued, “and in particular Joanne’s mother. I want to dedicate this song to her, for all the love she gave me.” The arena fell silent, united in the emotional weight of that moment, as Gaga’s voice filled the space with warmth and gratitude.
Later, she paused again to thank those who had supported her throughout her career – among them Donatella Versace. She shared that while many people disappeared during difficult times, Versace stayed close and taught her what true kindness means.
From there, Gaga roared back into high gear. The energy surged through every hit – from Shallow to Born This Way to a thunderous Bad Romance. Each costume change and lighting cue added to the spectacle, yet beneath it all was a sense of homecoming. For one night in Milan, Lady Gaga wasn’t just a global superstar – she was Stefani Germanotta, the Italian American girl paying tribute to her roots.
