Lady Gaga, yes, the famous American singer needs no introduction. She is a talented singer, known for her weird dressing style, but not many people know that her real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. Before focusing on her music career, Lady Gaga studied at the Convent of the Sacred Heart and attended Tisch School of the Arts, New York University.

Beginning her career as a songwriter, she also performed in Manhattan's Lower East Side rock music scene. By the end of 2007, she was signed by Streamline Records as a songwriter. Working with the record company, recording artist Akon caught attention of her vocal abilities and signed her for his label, Kon Live Distribution.

When asked Akon about Lady Gaga, he said, "She's pretty much retired me. She was definitely a blessing and came at the right moment. I'm glad I believed in her, boy. If you believe in something strong enough, it will pay off."

Lady Gaga's dazzling stage performance and singing abilities have earned her a massive fan following. Globally, over 35 million copies of her singles and 8 million copies of her albums have been sold. To complete her debut album "The Fame", Gaga went to Los Angeles where she merged different genres to create a completely new type of music.

The singer shot to fame with her debut album "The Fame". Besides winning accolades, the album was both, commercial and critical success, having topped charts worldwide. The album included songs "Poker Face" and "Just Dance", which became number-one singles internationally. Paparazzi and Love Game are other hit tracks from her debut album.

In 2009, came Lady Gaga's another album, The Fame Monster, which featured worldwide hit singles "Bad Romance", "Alejandro" and "Telephone". The success of her album allowed the singer to embark the 18-month long Monster Ball Tour - one of the highest-grossing concert tours. The year 2011 witnessed Lady Gaga's another record smashing album "Born This Way", featuring hit numbers The Edge of Glory, Judas and Born This Way.

Apart from her musical career, Lady Gaga also involves herself in LGBT activism and humanitarian causes.

Talking about her achievements, Lady Gaga holds 13 MTV Video Music Awards and 5 Grammy Awards. Other achievements -

• Ranks 4th in 100 Greatest Women in Music,
      VH1's list
• Artist of the year 2010, appearing on Billboard
      magazine's cover
• Regularly features in Forbes magazine
• Named as one of the world's most influential
      people, Time magazine

As far as Lady Gaga's beliefs are concerned there have been many talks about her being an atheist and renouncing god while taking pot-shots at religion, especially after the release of her single 'Judas' just around Easter. Bill Donohue, spokesperson for the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, said:

"This is a stunt... Lady Gaga tries to continue to shock Catholics and Christians in general: she dresses as a nun... she swallows the rosary."