‘American Horror Story’ season five will add international pop star Lady Gaga to its cast
Published: March 12, 2015 | Posted: March 16, 2015 | Written by Daeshaun Thomas
Pop music mogul Lady Gaga announced via Twitter that she will be starring in the FX horror anthology “American Horror Story” on Feb. 25. Social media was set ablaze by the unforeseen announcement.
Though Gaga has previously held small roles in films such as “Machete Kills” and “Sin City: A Dame to Kill for,” and has certainly touted her capacity to play a layered character on screen, she has never made a full foray into the acting scene.
Even longtime fans were taken aback by the “Bad Romance” singer’s bold switch in career path (again).
The official tweet reads: “Make your reservation now. #GagaAHSHotel.” Accompanied by the tweet is a twenty-two second black and white video in which Gaga, dressed in a minimalist (at least by Gaga’s standards) black number, murmurs the words “American Horror Story: Season 5.”
She removes a Velcro headpiece from the outfit and then utters the last tiny (but widely coveted) bit of information about her appearance on the upcoming installment of the series: the theme. “Hotel.” she whispers and raises her arm paws up style.
She sports a look reminiscent of Debbie Harry circa her 1970s Blondie years. Then come the credits which read “GAGA. AMERICAN HORROR STORY HOTEL. OCTOBER.” in classic Willow typeface, accompanied by the series’ chilling trademark theme music in the background.
As unexpected as it is, it definitely is not the first time that the artist shocked and awed a community of listeners, or onlookers for that matter.
One need only look back to the meat dress or the plexiglass egg of runways past. The singer has made waves by taking bold and unexpected career choices during the span of her career, which really only spans seven years.
One of the most unexpected reinvention came in the form of her temporary departure from pop. She made a genre switch to jazz in an attempt to introduce younger generations to its classic and quintessential sound; a sound she’s always had an ear for. Sharp vocals and a simple melody.
She appreciates music at a basic level, even before all the glitter and drama. Gaga released the collaborative album “Cheek to Cheek” alongside jazz icon Tony Bennett in September 2014, which garnered generally positive reviews from critics.
Of course no one exactly predicted the switch up, but it was just one in a list of many. It will also certainly not be the last. In most recent memory the singer blew everyone away with the strength of her pipes in a rendition of “The Sound of Music” at the Oscars late February.
The audience went wild upon the conclusion of the tribute to Julie Andrews. Everyone was again reminded to never underestimate her talent and zeal, which had been questioned by critics and dedicated fans alike ever since the mediocre to lukewarm reception to “Artpop,” her third studio album.
Though much is still unknown about the future of “American Horror Story” in its entirety, it is known that Jessica Lange may not be returning to aid the series as lead actress as she has the last four seasons.
The series will undergo “an unusually large reinvention” according to John Landgraf, the CEO of the FX networks, relative to the reinvention that the program already undergoes every season as an anthology.
One thing’s for certain though, come October, we’ll see an eccentric world star that is widely liked and discussed take her first top-billed role as an actress in a show that is also very widely liked and discussed. It’s shaping up to be a wickedly good time for little monsters.
