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M.I.A. Lashes Out at Lady Gaga

Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images

M.I.A. has lashed out at Lady Gaga, after the 'Poker Face' singer was praised by Oprah Winfrey at the Metropolitan Ball in New York in May.

In an interview with Time Out magazine, M.I.A., whose third album, 'Maya' has just been released, slammed the talk show host's praise of Gaga.

M.I.A. said, "She [Oprah Winfrey] made this huge speech at the ball praising Lady Gaga and about how she [Lady Gaga] is helping Americans to be the best of themselves. There's millions of other Americans who represent that for me."


She added, "Is [it] about numbers? About how much you're selling? Is it truly about the journey? Because [Lady Gaga's] journey isn't that difficult: to go from the f---ing Upper East Side [of Manhattan] to a f---ing performing arts school and on to a stage at the museum of f---ing wherever. That journey's about four miles."

The Sri Lankan-British rapper also explained how she felt left out by Winfrey at the ball: "She was with Iman. Iman was always dancing with me, hugging and kissing me, but Oprah seemed really pissed off with me."

As previously reported on Spinner, M.I.A. had called Winfrey the "Queen of America" when the pair met at another New York function in May 2009, celebrating M.I.A.'s inclusion in the Time 100 list of influential people.

Currently promoting her new album -- the follow-up to 2005's Mercury-nominated 'Arular' and 2007's 'Kala' -- M.I.A. is about to headline the Underage Festival, which takes place in East London's Victoria Park on Aug. 1.

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trains

Of course MIA is going to call her out. MIA is actually an artist!

If you were actually an artist you would think it's pretty audacious and disgusting that a million dollar PRODUCT like LG has the nerve to call herself an "artiste"

Please

Gag.

August 18 2010 at 11:00 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
trains

M.I.A. is not a "jealous jackass," she simply has the integrity as an artist that LG lacks. M.I.A. was a real person before she made money in the music industry; she was already a successful visual artist. LG on the other hand was the personality project of a very nice, rich girl who had a talented singing voice, and whose parents paid a lot of money in order to get her signed by buying professional studio demos and hiring an entertainment lawyer. There is nothing wrong with MIA calling her out on this. The difference between an artist like LG and MIA is that MIA got there through being who she really is without rich parents buying her in. LG is more like someone who sat down, interviewed for the job, excelled at the job, kept getting promoted, and now gets paid a lot of money to sell this expensive product. Why is it that so few people are able to understand this and see through the glossy exterior?

I'm not saying LG didn't work hard, but she basically was being groomed by people in the industry who thought her product would sell. MIA on the other hand, created her own thing, and maybe that's why she's not as famous -- because she's ACTUALLY original. Whereas the LG product is a multi million dollar calculated success.

People who think LG is a true artist don't understand what art or being an artist is. If they did, they'd be able to see through the marketing bullshit.

Actually, you don't even have to understand art to know LG is a fake. All you have to do is use your critical thinking, if you have that ability.

August 18 2010 at 10:57 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ari

M.I.A's paperplanes was cool but thats about it. Lady Gaga is a true and amazing performer. I recently saw her in concert in LasVegas and her concert was a life altering experience. She's not a weirdo at all and she is gorgeous!!! Pictures n videos do her no justice. I think anyone who goes to a Gaga concert will walk out with a more positive additude and outlook on life. She saved me from a very bad time im my life. I too maybe considered your idea of spoiled but sometimes your emotional walk through life can make a "FOUR MILES" seem like a lifetime of torture till someone like LadyGaga comes along and makes you believe you are good enough. I liked M.I.A but she didnt do that for me. LADY GAGA is F...ing awesome!!!!

August 16 2010 at 2:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
christine

Dont even sweat it, its true they are making Lady Gaga out to be this amazing person. She is a freaky ass wierdo. Oprah only likes what is popular..I agree Lady Gaga is a a spoiled ass kid and like any spolied ass kid they turn out insane and do things for shock value..She'll be over in 2 years...

July 31 2010 at 12:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
shelly

I hate to break it to you sweetie, but you aren't all that and you need to get over yourself. Good job making yourself look like a jealous jackass. And I'm sure you are so important to Oprah that she got mad at you.

July 29 2010 at 11:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply