Lady Gaga may be thousands of miles away from the United States, but her heart remains firmly with those affected by the growing unrest back home. While performing at the Tokyo Dome on January 29 (January 28 in the U.S.), the global pop icon took a powerful pause during her concert to address the ongoing violence and fear surrounding immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
At her concert, Lady Gaga criticized ICE and expressed her support for people in Minnesota she said are being relentlessly targeted. Sitting at her piano, Gaga shifted the focus from music to a deeply personal message about humanity, compassion, and accountability.
“I want to take a moment to talk about something that matters so much to me,” she told the crowd. As she spoke, her concern was clear. With plans to return home soon, she said she has been struggling emotionally while thinking about families, children, and entire communities across America who she believes are suffering under aggressive immigration actions.
Gaga explained that Minnesota, in particular, has been weighing heavily on her mind. She spoke about people living in constant fear, searching for guidance and safety as they navigate an uncertain reality. According to the singer, when communities lose their sense of security and belonging, the damage reaches far beyond borders or politics.
“When people are forced to fight just to feel safe and respected, something is deeply wrong,” she shared. Gaga urged leaders to act with urgency and empathy, calling for peace, accountability, and mercy. Her words resonated strongly, drawing applause and emotional reactions from fans in attendance.
ICE operations have remained a flashpoint of political tension since Donald Trump returned to office in 2025, but recent events in Minneapolis have intensified national outrage. The deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were fatally shot by ICE officers, have sparked widespread protests and condemnation. While the Trump administration maintains that the officers acted in self-defense, eyewitness videos circulating online have raised serious questions about those claims.
Several artists have also spoken out. Olivia Rodrigo labeled ICE’s actions “unconscionable” on social media, while Billie Eilish addressed the issue during her 2026 MLK Jr. Beloved Community Award speech, highlighting the fear, violence, and erosion of civil rights she says Americans are witnessing.
After one final show at the Tokyo Dome, Gaga is set to return to the U.S. for the next North American leg of her Mayhem Ball Tour. Her schedule notably remains clear on February 1, when the 2026 Grammy Awards take place. The superstar is up for seven nominations, fueled by the success of her Billboard 200–topping album MAYHEM and her Joker: Folie à Deux companion project, Harlequin.
Just a week later, the Super Bowl will take center stage, where Gaga’s emotional cover of Mister Rogers’ “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” will appear in a Big Game advertisement. Reflecting on the song, she said Mister Rogers stood for kindness and moral clarity—values she feels are especially important right now.
Even from halfway around the world, Lady Gaga made it clear: her voice, like her music, will continue to be used to stand up for those who feel unheard.
