In the run-up to Ridley Scott’s House of Gucci, Lady Gaga has stolen the show with claims that she “lived as” her character for months during filming — even speaking with an Italian accent when the cameras stopped rolling — as well as revelations about some of her most outrageous fashion choices over the years, and plenty of the usual wild soundbites.
At the film’s London premiere on Tuesday (November 9), it was no different. The spotlight was firmly turned on Gaga’s purple dress (courtesy of Gucci, who else?) as the Chromatica star walked the red carpet, where she clarified that she’d fully immersed herself in the role, though she also suggests that there has been some exaggeration about her method acting.
“I really feel in some ways that my process has been sensationalised into something,” Gaga says (via Reuters), when asked about staying in character for 18 months by reporters at the premiere. “But I don’t like to lie about my work and my process. So what I will say is this: I’m a romantic when it comes to art.”
“I had a romantic relationship with my character, Patrizia. I had a romantic relationship with the script and I dove headfirst into this world because she’s nothing like me... I don’t know where 18 months came from. Nine months, yes, but double that, I don’t know.”
Gaga has previously spoken about the “psychological difficulty” that came with taking on the role of Patrizia Reggiani, the wife of Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver) who was convicted of masterminding his murder after their marriage broke down (all of which the film documents in “wild” and “campy” style).
“I was either in my hotel room, living and speaking as Reggiani, or I was on set, living and speaking as her,” she told British Vogue in a cover interview last week, recounting a moment toward the end of filming when the lines became blurred. “I remember I went out into Italy one day with a hat on to take a walk. I hadn’t taken a walk in about two months and I panicked. I thought I was on a movie set.”
Jared Leto also got pretty deep into his House of Gucci role (the eccentric Paolo Gucci), and not only because of his layers of make-up. “I said to Ridley, ‘You know, I’d love to do this, but if I do, I’d go absolutely fucking crazy,’” he recalls in a recent interview with IndieWire.
Leto and Gaga’s dedication to their roles seemingly paid off, with many critics’ initial thoughts on the film focusing on their individual performances, and tipping them for awards season. Of course, Gaga previously picked up an Oscar for best original song (“Shallow”) and a best actress nomination for her feature length debut, A Star Is Born. Leto, meanwhile, won an Academy Award for best supporting actor in 2013’s Dallas Buyers Club.
Ahead of the film’s release in cinemas on November 24, take a look at some critics’ early responses to House of Gucci below. Revisit the most recent trailer here.