American singer Lady Gaga has criticised ageism in the pop music industry, rejecting the notion that women in their late 30s are considered “old” for a pop star.
While accepting the Innovator Award at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Monday, March 17, she reflected on the perception of age in the industry.
“I don’t know totally how to think about this because winning an award honouring my entire career at 38 years old is a hard thing to get my head around,” Gaga said.
“The world might consider a woman in her late 30s old for a pop star, which is insane, but I promise you I’m just getting warmed up,” she added.
Meanwhile, Nigerian artists Burna Boy and Tems lost the inaugural World Artist of the Year award at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards to South African singer Tyla.
