Photo Credit: Warner Bros.
Lady Gaga is opening up about the mixed reviews and audiences’ negative reactions to Joker: Folie à Deux, also known as Joker 2.

Joker: Folie à Deux was released in United States theaters in October 2024. Directed by Todd Phillips, the sequel to 2019’s Joker sees Joaquin Phoenix reprise his role as Arthur Fleck, while Lady Gaga stars as Harley “Lee” Quinzel.

Joker: Folie à Deux received largely mixed and negative reviews from fans and critics. The film has been nominated for seven Razzie Awards, including Worst Picture, Worst Actor, and Worst Actress.

What did Lady Gaga say about Joker 2?

Speaking with Elle magazine, Lady Gaga opened up about people’s reactions to Joker: Folie à Deux.

“People just sometimes don’t like some things,” she said. “It’s that simple. And I think to be an artist, you have to be willing for people to sometimes not like it. And you keep going even if something didn’t connect in the way that you intended.”

She added that the fear of failing is oftentimes the thing that can be the most damaging to an artist.

“When that makes its way into your life, that can be hard to get control of. It’s part of the mayhem,” she commented.

Joker 2 also stars Brendan Gleeson as Jackie Sullivan, Catherine Keener as Maryanne Stewart, Zazie Beetz as Sophie Dumond, Steve Coogan as Paddy Meyers, Harry Lawtey as Harvey Dent, and Leigh Gill as Gary Puddles.

The official synopsis for the movie reads, “Joker: Folie À Deux finds Arthur Fleck institutionalized at Arkham awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker. While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur not only stumbles upon true love, but also finds the music that’s always been inside him.”

Both Joker and Joker: Folie à Deux are currently available to stream on Max.