Lady Gaga Stuns While Performing National Anthem At Inauguration

Hollywood superstar Lady Gaga is no stranger to making big fashion statements. Ever since the singer and actress first made a splash in the music scene, Gaga has been known for her over-the-top, elaborate, and head-turning outfits. Though her style has evolved over the years, she has always stayed true to her iconic and distinct taste. 

On Jan. 20, 2021, Gaga performed the National Anthem at the historic Presidential inauguration, and her outfit is proving to be just as show-stopping as her performance. In front of President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and millions of viewers across the country, Gaga belted out America's most iconic song in an unforgettable performance. 

This wasn't Gaga's first swing at the tricky song — she also nailed a performance of the National Anthem at the Super Bowl in 2016, per Billboard. While Gaga's talent speaks for itself, she isn't afraid to let her fashion sense take center-stage as well. Many fans eagerly awaited to see what Gaga would wear for her historic inauguration performance — and needless to say, she definitely delivered with style.

For her inauguration performance, Lady Gaga opted for a dramatic look. According to Harper's Bazaar, the singer wore a custom Schiaparelli Haute Couture gown. Her jaw-dropping ensemble included a fitted navy jacket with a red silk skirt. Arguably the most eye-catching part of the dress, however, was the golden dove with an olive branch, which was pinned on Gaga's jacket. The singer has spoken about the significance of the dove on Twitter: "May we all make peace with each other", the singer posted, along with a close-up image of the golden adornment. Historically, a dove with an olive branch has represented peace and unity, and according to Elle, this symbolism directly aligns with Gaga's message. Fans have also made another observation about Gaga's dress via Page Six, comparing it to something they'd expect to see in The Hunger Games films.

The pop star also used Twitter to express her excitement for performing at the inauguration. Just minutes before her performance, Gaga tweeted that "singing our National Anthem for the American people is my honor." She also goes on to say that she wants to "acknowledge our past, be healing for our present, and passionate for a future where we work together lovingly." For Gaga, the performance was a culmination of a long relationship. 

As it turns out, Lady Gaga and Joe Biden have a friendly history. Gaga has been a consistent supporter of Biden and Harris, having previously teamed up with Biden for the "It's On Us" campaign, which was initiated under Barack Obama's presidency. In a 2017 video for the campaign, per ABC News, Biden and Gaga sit side by side and talk about the importance of ending sexual assault on college campuses. Biden refers to Gaga as a "great friend" and "the voice for people who have been forgotten and people who have been abused." 

In November 2020, Gaga showed her support for Biden once again. At Biden's final campaign rally in Pittsburgh, Penn., Gaga performed and expressed her support for the presidential candidate and his running mate, Kamala Harris. "This is a big one, Pennsylvania. So if you're here, you probably already believe in Joe Biden. I know I believe in Joe Biden," she told the audience, via Entertainment Weekly. Gaga even went on to express her "love" for Biden, and dubbed him her new "Pennsylvania guy". Gaga has also been consistently vocal on Twitter about supporting Biden and encouraging people to vote. 

While Lady Gaga's inauguration dress has caught people's eyes, it's not the only impressive outfit she's worn leading up to the event. When Gaga first arrived at the Capitol yesterday, she shared an image on Instagram from inside the building. Donning an elegant white coat and matching mask, Gaga used her caption to reinforce her desire for peace. "I pray tomorrow will be a day of peace for all Americans," she begins her Instagram caption. "A day for love, not hatred. A day for acceptance not fear. A day for dreaming of our future joy as a country." 

Needless to say, Gaga has impressed with both her outfits and her performance on Inauguration Day. With two National Anthem performances under her belt and a slew of iconic fashion moments, Gaga continues to be an unstoppable force and advocate for what she believes in. Considering her history and friendship with Joe Biden, it's easy to see why she was a natural choice for such a monumental performance on Inauguration Day.