‘That Was Rude’: Fans Blast Hollywood Actor for Discussing Lady Gaga’s Weight during ‘Joker’ Press Conference

Joaquin Phoenix commented on Lady Gaga’s physical transformation into Harley Quinn while they were promoting their upcoming film, “Joker: Folie à Deux.”

On August 4, 2024, at a Venice Film Festival press conference Phoenix, while talking about his own weight loss for the film, complimented Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta.

The 49-year-old shared, “Stefani also lost a lot of weight. I remember when I first met you in rehearsals and then you went away for like a month and then you came back, you lost a lot of weight. It was really impressive. It seemed very difficult.”

The “A Star Is Born” actress thanked Joaquin Phoenix while smiling, however, fans had mixed reactions after watching the incident between the co-stars.

One fan criticized his comments, “Gentlemen, just a reminder, keep your comments about a woman’s weight to yourself. This was so awkward to watch.”

Another fan outrightly said, “That was rude.” A different fan questioned the necessity of the remarks, “Why does a man need to talk about a women’s weight?[sic]” One more user found it bizarre, asking “Did she need to lose weight?! This is weird.”

More fans expressed disbelief, “I can’t believe that he is talking about her weight! That is very inappropriate.” However, some fans interpreted the situation differently. One remarked, “He is complimenting her in an awkward way and doesn’t know how to get out!!! We have all been there!!”

Lady Gaga herself seemed surprised, as reflected by a fan, “Gaga couldn’t believe what she witnessed 🤣🤣🤣.” On the other hand, a supporter defended the actor, “Leave him alone. He didn’t say anything wrong. People need to loosen up.”

Another fan, identifying as a feminist, added, “Yall so sensitive im a feminist n this is not offensive at all. He’s complimenting her, losing weight is hard and it shows dedication to her work [sic].”

Comments on Gaga’s body are not new since in 2012 some fans commented on her fuller figure after she was spotted in Amsterdam. The singer spoke with radio host Elvis Duran, revealing that she had gained 25 pounds and had chosen to diet.

She mentioned that while maintaining a strict diet was challenging, especially due to the demands of her vigorous shows, she was working on finding a new balance.

The “House of Gucci” actress attributed her weight gain to her love for pizza and pasta, humorously identifying herself as a “New York Italian girl.” She also pointed to her father, Joe Germanotta’s New York City Italian restaurant, Joanne Trattoria, as a contributing factor.

She gushed, “My father opened a restaurant. It’s so amazing . . . it’s so freaking delicious, but I’m telling you I gain five pounds every time I go in there.”

Gaga mentioned that her father encouraged her to dine at the restaurant, but she now felt the need to seek out places where she could drink green juice instead as part of her dieting journey.

Recently, at Italy’s annual festival, netizens once again focused on Gaga’s appearance, not only commenting on her body but also speculating that she may be showcasing more than her large diamond engagement ring — her rumored pregnancy. In the past, the singer revealed that she was indeed keen on becoming a first-time parent.

Gaga arrived at Venice’s airport hand-in-hand with her fiancé, Michael Polansky. The couple were on their way to attend the 81st Venice International Film Festival when fans zoomed in on her black-and-white polka dot dress. Netizens suspected it was hiding something significant.

On September 2, 2024, Gaga was all smiles in Italy with her dress featuring a matching bow tied as a belt at the front. She and her partner also sported dark sunglasses.

Various publications shared images of Gaga and her fiancé, including the pair holding hands while walking together.

Another picture showed the songstress with her left hand on her chest, making her large engagement ring visible.

The last photo showed the couple on a boat making their way to the festival. “Is she pregnant?” asked an Instagrammer. Someone else who replied to the same post didn’t see what the other netizen noticed.

The person only had praise for Gaga, writing, “LOVE how she has the ‘normal’ body of a woman. She looks happy and healthy! 😍.”

Thoughts that Gaga might be expecting, came through in responses across the web, as another netizen declared, “She looks pregnant.” A netizen who thought the same commented, “I think she’s pregnant ❤️.”

A third publication’s Instagram carousel included a still photo and a clip of Gaga blowing kisses to fans. In the footage, Polansky supported his fiancée by smiling and waving. A fan who was certain of their stance stated, “She is pregnant. No doubt 💞.”

Replying to the same post, a netizen speculated, “She’s Glowing. Could be a Baby, could be Love. Who Knows. Love is Beautiful 😍😍😍.”

Even Reddit users joined the rumor mill,as one noted, “Gaga’s dress is giving ‘hiding a pregnancy with bows.'”

In the past, the songstress confirmed that she was keen on becoming a parent. Speaking in a publication’s May 2020 cover story, Polansky’s fiancée shared, “I will say I am very excited to have kids.”

The star continued, “Isn’t it incredible what we can do? We can hold a human inside and grow it. Then it comes out, and it’s our job to keep it alive.” Gaga found the possibility of motherhood amusing especially due to the statement she made to everyone who worked from her house daily.

She always welcomed them by saying, “‘Welcome to the Womb!'” In a 2019 interview, the celebrity recalled how she felt as a little girl seeing her mother applying makeup in the morning. Her mother looked beautiful and strong during the process, causing little Gaga to feel inspired.

Gaga grew up believing that bravery could be expressed in different ways, including through the use of makeup. The artist wished to pass this on to her child one day, sharing, “I really hope that when I have maybe a little girl one day, or a little boy, and they see Mommy put her makeup on, that they have the same experience that I did.”

The 38-year-old musician might have that child with Polansky, whom she introduced to France’s Prime Minister Gabriel Attal as her fiancé in 2024, during the Paris Summer Olympics.

The Prime Minister shared a TikTok clip of the introduction in the swimming event stands where Gaga called Polansky “my fiancé.” Someone who was thrilled for the singer and the businessman congratulated them, writing, “She was awesome, and congratulations on your engagement. You deserve to be so happy.”

A longtime Gaga fan stated, “Oh boy, it’s her 3rd engagement. Hope this is the one ❤ 🙏.” Another thrilled fan exclaimed, “OMG THEY’RE GETTING MARRIED!!?? This is so special ❤️ I’m so happy and proud.”

A TikTok user also commented simply noting, “Gaga is engaged.” But not everyone was happy about the news, with one person lamenting, “You’re so iconic and then have a boyfriend like this?! With no clothing sense — who is she kidding?”

Also feeling like the couple wasn’t well-paired, a netizen criticized, “She’s too pretty to be with him 😂❤️.” A skeptic stated, “Her boyfriend makes her look really bad and lowers her status. Is she okay?”

While the reactions were mixed, one person defended the pair, remarking, “There’s something special she saw in him that we don’t see!”

Engagement rumors between the two started in April 2024 when netizens noticed Gaga’s diamond band on her left ring finger.

At that point, the couple had been dating since 2019 before confirming the news a few months later. However, in March 2023, rumors claimed the couple had broken up because they couldn’t see eye to eye about children and marriage.

By October, they were back together when they were seen enjoying Las Vegas during two concert dates. It seems they’ve ironed out their differences and are now going strong.