One of the most unconventional performers of the last two decades, Lady Gaga is a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry. She's a true diva, the “Mother Monster” of her loyal fans, and the voice behind chart-topping hits like “Bad Romance,” “Born This Way” and “Shallow.”
But of course, there are many sides to everyone. Besides the eclectic music and fearless self-expression, Stefani Germanotta is also recognized for her strong philanthropic efforts and activism, all while being open about her struggles with mental health.
But what do the popular personality tests, Enneagram and the 16 types created by Myers and Briggs, reveal about Lady Gaga's persona?
Based on our analysis, we believe that Gaga is an Enneagram Type 4 and an INFJ. But full confession: this lady is extremely hard to type. Despite being a global superstar, she is very protective of her personal life and her public presentation is clearly a facade that hides her true self from the media.
Enneagram Type 4: The Individualist
Enneagram Fours are well-known for their creativity, authenticity and deep emotions—and Gaga certainly expresses herself in unique ways. She does not shy away from being different, pushing boundaries and championing diversity and individuality (remember the raw meat dress at the 2010 MTV VMAs?). “Don't you ever let a soul in the world tell you that you can't be exactly who you are,” she said in a 2010 interview with Rolling Stone, which is such a Type Four statement.
At the same time, Fours are introspective. They can struggle with feelings of inadequacy and envy, which feel like a longing for something they can't quite put into words.
Germanotta freely admits that she invented her Lady Gaga persona in part as a way of coping with feelings of melancholy and depression. “I invented myself, Lady Gaga—I curated my life to be an expression of my pain,” she explained in remarks at the Yale Centre for Emotional Intelligence in 2015. “This is how I overcame my depression, by creating someone that I felt was stronger than me. But nothing was able to fix how I was genetically made.”
Wings add a new dimension
Being unconventional is only one facet of Lady Gaga's personality; she's also an assertive go-getter, forging her own path in the music industry and incorporating imagery of sexually assertive and even aggressive women in her performances, lyrics and outfits.
This is where the Enneagram wings come in. We believe that Lady Gaga is a Type 4 with a 3 wing. In fact, we'll go so far as to say that her 3 wing is pretty strong, to the point where many believe that she is a primary Type Three.
Outwardly: Spotting the 4w3:
- Ambitious: The 3 wing adds a desire for more outward success, recognition and attention to the Type 4's artistic and expressive personality. Lady Gaga has achieved great success in her career, winning multiple Grammy Awards and securing a spot on Time Magazine's "100 Most Influential People" list. On the downside, it can also lead to a creation of a false self intended to please their “audience.”
- Socially savvy. The 3 wing adds a touch of practicality to the sometimes dramatic, emotional nature of the Type 4. Lady Gaga has shown this in her ability to tone down her extravagant fashion choices for more mainstream events, such as the Oscars. She easily adapts to the expectations of the situations while still maintaining her unique style.
- Charismatic: The 3 wing can add a certain charm and charisma that makes Lady Gaga so appealing to her fans. She has been described as "captivating," "mesmerizing," and "spellbinding" by numerous reviewers and critics.
Inwardly: 4w3 on the inside
- Desire for identity. Germanotta said that she liked having a nickname to adhere to (Lady Gaga) because she felt fake all her life and finally had something to call her identity. At the same time, a 4w3 may feel they have to compromise their deeply-desired authenticity in order to succeed through a fabricated image. It's a constant inner struggle. “For being different, it’s easy. But to be unique, it’s a complicated thing.”
- Deeply private. It's not that 3 wings of the Enneagram Type 4 are more private than others. All Type Fours like to keep their emotions and vulnerability hidden from view. But it is interesting to note that Lady Gaga cherishes her privacy—she avoids discussing her personal life in interviews, doesn't have personal social media accounts, and even has a separate phone for friends. “I'd wear any of my private attire for the world to see. But I would rather have an open flesh wound than ever wear a band aid in public,” she said in a 2010 Vanity Fair interview.
- Overthinking: Type 4s with a 3 wing are especially prone to overthinking and self-criticism. They're swimming in vast inner oceans, and that can make them moody, perfectionistic and analytical. Lady Gaga has talked openly about her struggles with perfectionism, saying that it makes her "freak out."
Typefinder: INFJ, the Counselor
I/Introverted: Gaga may be known for her outlandish style, but that doesn't make her an extravert. She performs under a stage name, with a persona that we suspect is more show than reality. While Gaga is truly "out there," Stefani is kept under wraps. She doesn’t open up to the public and shields her private life from whoever is trying to get to her.
N/Intuitive: INFJs tend to be intuitive and imaginative, with a strong desire to understand the underlying meaning and purpose of things. This trait helps Lady Gaga connect with her audience on an emotional level, often using her music to send powerful messages about love, acceptance and self-expression.
F/Feeling: “You have to go to that broken place of your heart to write songs,” Gaga told Oprah in a 2012 interview, and that statement perfectly captures the emotional depth of an INFJ. They are highly attuned to their own emotions and those of others, often using art and creativity as an outlet for their feelings.
J/Judging: While Lady Gaga may seem spontaneous and unpredictable on stage, there is also evidence of her strong planning and organizing skills behind the scenes. “Some artists take years; I don’t. I write music every day,” she says, showing the nose-to-the-grindstone work ethic of a typical INFJ.
Cognitive functions for Lady Gaga
Introverted Intuition (Ni): Whether its a hidden message in a dress (the infamous meat dress was a commentary on her struggle with fame and industry standards) or prison imagery in a music video (“Telephone” was more Gaga’s commentary on the kind of country that the US has become than a frothy pop song), Lady Gaga's low-key use of symbolism demonstrates her strong Ni function. She thinks and communicates in symbols, analogies and metaphors that are open to interpretation but carry a deeper meaning for her.
Extraverted Feeling (Fe): Extraverted Feelers lead with empathy and a desire to connect with others. "I actually don't want a throne at all, because I don't view myself as a queen; I view myself as one of my fans," Gaga has said, demonstrating her strong Fe function. She isn't just doing it for the applause.
Introverted Thinking (Ti): Introverted Thinkers tend to have their own, unique way of looking at the world. They work hard at understanding how things work and are often creative problem-solvers. This function may contribute to Lady Gaga's ability to constantly reinvent herself and push the boundaries of traditional music and performance.
Extraverted Sensing (Se): The Se function is likely less developed for Gaga, but still present in her love for performance and expression through fashion and physicality. At the same time, she has a shyness and body consciousness to her that shows she is not as comfortable in her own skin as one might imagine.
In conclusion, while Lady Gaga's Enneagram type may be up for debate, it is clear that she embodies many traits of an INFJ. Her strong empathy, intuition and creativity have helped her achieve great success in the music industry while staying true to her own values and beliefs. She is a true artist, using her platform to send powerful messages and inspire others to embrace their uniqueness and individuality. She truly was born this way!
