Lady Gaga: Working with Joaquin on the Joker film was such a laugh

Lady Gaga has never been known as the shy and retiring type, but she says her iconic role in Joker: Folie A Deux allowed her to show a side she was “too embarrassed” to show the world before.

The US superstar, who plays Harley Quinn opposite Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker in the movie, says the character allowed her to be wilder than ever before. And she admitted she wanted to play the “broken” anti-heroine in a way that women would relate to.

Speaking in an interview ahead of the film’s UK release on Friday, Lady Gaga - real name Stefani Germanotta - said: “What I loved about taking on the role of Lee (Harley Quinn) was being able to put part of my own personality in there that perhaps I have been too embarrassed to share with the world before.

READ MORE: Spain holiday resorts introduce three drinks per evening limit for Irish tourists

READ MORE: Major change to Lanzarote and Tenerife as holidaymakers abandon resorts in their droves

“I think we all have that part of ourselves that we don’t want anybody to know about - and I finally feel I have been able to share that part of myself through her. So much of her danger is that she has this deep fear of being without or losing Joker and Arthur. Of course she is dark, she is dangerous, but she is also really scared.

“I separate Joker and Arthur - because for me she is obsessed with Joker and loves Arthur. Most women at some point in their life have been with a man they are so scared of losing. It might not be healthy - but I really hope it’s a part of the character women will be able to empathise with.

“As women I think we have this natural ability to keep going - even when we are going through a storm or even when we are broken inside. That is what I really wanted to figure out for Lee - she is clearly broken - but what was her reason to keep going.”

Lady Gaga dressed head-to-toe in red for the London Premiere
(Image: Getty Images)

Actor Joaquin - who captivated audiences in the first Joker outing - won an Oscar and Golden Globe for his portrayal of the unhinged villain. And asked about working aside him, Stefani praised him as “one of the most naturally gifted actors of all time.”

She went on: “The first movie moved me so much - that it became such an easy decision to be involved in this movie when I got the opportunity. Todd’s (Phillips) direction was beautiful and obviously Joaquin’s performance was incredible - I just totally got it.

The essence of the first movie was about somebody who was misunderstood - and I really resonate with that. When audiences see movies like that - you hope they walk away and maybe see the world and people in a slightly different way than before they walked into the theatre.

“My fondest memories of filming the movie are just hysterically laughing with Joaquin. It’s a dark movie - full of complex and dark characters - but the atmosphere on set was just so much fun. There were days when we just couldn’t stop laughing - there was a real lightness to everything.

“Obviously, people are aware that Joaquin is one the most naturally gifted actors of all time - but after working with him I just became so impressed with his boldness on set. He is prepared to try anything, he is prepared to take risks, creatively there are almost no limitations with him.”

Sign up to the Irish Mirror's daily newsletter here and get breaking news and top stories direct to your inbox.