Pop superstar and actor Lady Gaga has addressed the mixed reception to her latest film, Joker: Folie à Deux. Since the film's release, Gaga, who portrays Harley Quinn, has remained relatively quiet, though she released a companion album, Harlequin. In a recent interview with Elle, she shared her perspective on the negative feedback. Gaga explained that she manages the pressure of potentially unfavorable reviews by setting realistic expectations beforehand.

"People just sometimes don’t like some things," Gaga stated. "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.”

Joker: Folie à Deux, a sequel to Todd Phillips' 2019 hit, premiered last October to less-than-stellar reviews from critics and audiences alike. It currently holds a 31% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many critics deeming it a missed opportunity. Its theatrical run was short-lived, leading to a swift digital release and subsequent comments from Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav describing its performance as "disappointing."

Gaga acknowledged the challenges of dealing with such criticism: "When that makes its way into your life, that can be hard to get control of," she said. "It’s part of the mayhem.”

Despite the film's reception, Gaga continues to focus on her other projects. She recently announced the release of her new studio album, Mayhem, this March, ending a five-year wait since Chromatica. For further perspectives on Joker: Folie à Deux, explore why Quentin Tarantino enjoyed the sequel and Hideo Kojima's belief that its reception will evolve over time. You can also find our list of 2024's biggest disappointments [here].