Lady Gaga’s performance at last night's Oscars ceremony was powerful, uncomplicated, and earnest. She appeared alone on an unlighted stage before being joined by young men and women that have survived sexual assault.
Their arms bore slogans but the most important message was their mere presence. That they wouldn’t be silenced by their abusers, nor would they be ashamed.
Gaga herself posted an image of herself kissing fiancé Taylor Kinney, which also bore a powerful message.
“I never thought anyone would ever love me because I felt like my body was ruined by my abuser. But he loves the survivor in me. He's stood by me all night proud and unashamedly. THATS a real man.” Gaga wrote on Instagram.
She’s spoken out about her experience with sexual assault in the past, revealing that her song “Swine” was about rape.
Gaga expounded on “Til It Happens To You” speaking earlier on the red carpet.
"One in five women will be raped before the time they finish college,” Gaga told Ryan Seacrest in a video interview. “One in 20 men will be raped before the time they finish their schooling at their university. It's something that is deeply connected to my heart. I am myself a survivor; Diane Warren is herself a survivor of sexual violence, and we are here tonight and very grateful to the Academy for giving us this world stage to reward survivors for being brave and coming forward."
AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT