Rebecca Black Reflects on Lady Gaga Praising Her as a ‘Genius’: ‘Growing Up as a 13-Year-Old Girl Was Wild’

Rebecca Black Reflects on Lady Gaga’s Praise

Rebecca Black has shared the “crazy experience” of being labeled a genius by Lady Gaga when she was just 13 years old.

• READ MORE: Rebecca Black ‘Let Her Burn’ Review: Viral Sensation Burns Her Controversial Musical Past

Rise to Fame and Support from Lady Gaga

The singer-songwriter skyrocketed to fame in 2011 when her song “Friday” went viral, prompting a wave of criticism that significantly impacted Black’s mental health.

Unlike many, Lady Gaga chose to support Black—calling her a “genius” and praising “Friday” as “fantastic.”

“I say Rebecca Black is a genius and anyone who tells her she’s trashy is bullshit,” Gaga stated.

Reflecting on Gaga’s endorsement, Black recently expressed its significance during her appearance on Mythical Kitchen. “It was so special, and I think it only meant more to me as I’ve navigated my whole career,” she remarked.

Overcoming Backlash and New Beginnings

“Being a 13-year-old at the time was such a crazy experience,” Black recalled.

“I was a big Lady Gaga fan; I was a big Katy Perry fan,” she mentioned, noting that Perry invited her to appear in the video for “Last Friday Night.” “It was such a crazy experience, from living in my bedroom to suddenly having these artists acknowledge that I exist.”

However, she also noted that many comments were made in jest, which can be painful for a young person. “A lot of these people were obviously joking and laughing. It can be a little hurtful when you’re a kid.”

At 27, Black has previously shared that the backlash she faced left her feeling “afraid of the world” as a teenager.

On February 27, she will release her new album, “Salvation,” which will feature earlier singles “TRUST!” and “Sugar water cyanide.”

Her latest release, “Let Her Burn,” was launched in 2023. NME reviewed the album with four stars, highlighting her candidness about her tumultuous love lives and her bold exploration of diverse pop sounds, stating, “‘Let Her Burn’ is worth a listen.”