Lady Gaga’s Admirable Presence at the Academy Awards [Forbes JAPAN]
This column is a full English translation of the article contributed to Forbes JAPAN on April 4th, 2022.
Did you happen to notice the profoundly beautiful moment at the 94th Academy Awards held on March 27? Amidst the notable events of the night, such as Drive My Car winning Best International Feature Film and the controversial Will Smith incident, there was something that, in my opinion, cannot be overlooked when reflecting on this year’s Oscars: Lady Gaga’s graceful display of a true class act.
"Grace," when translated directly into Japanese, means "elegance" or "dignity." If I were to elaborate, it could be described as "having self-control, displaying politeness, and behaving in a way that feels pleasant and refined." As for "class act," Britannica defines it as "someone who is admirable and usually very fair or polite." In other words, it refers to a person whose actions are worthy of praise and who consistently shows fairness and respect. And Lady Gaga was a shining example of this at the awards.
Her moment came when she appeared on stage alongside Liza Minnelli to present the award for Best Picture, which went to CODA. If you haven’t seen the scene, I highly recommend watching it.
This is like a lesson in how to facilitate older people while honouring who they are.
— Naomi O'Leary (@NaomiOhReally) March 28, 2022
What a class act by @ladygaga with legend Liza Minnelli.
The conferred whispers of "I gotcha" "I know" picked up by the mikes make it especially touching.pic.twitter.com/2JOWyrTQxn
The interaction between Gaga and Minnelli, who appeared in a wheelchair, was seamless and natural. It was a testament to Gaga’s intelligence, composure, and quick thinking. At the same time, it highlighted the trust Minnelli placed in Gaga, fully leaning on her for support.
“You see that? The public, they love you,” Gaga said, her voice filled with warmth and admiration. She continued, “You know how I love working with legends, and I’m honored to present the final award of the evening with a true show business legend.” The expressions of the audience were just as gentle and kind as her words—a testament to the grace and class act Gaga displayed.
Throughout the presentation, Gaga held Minnelli’s hand, offering her support both physically and emotionally. At one point, when Minnelli softly murmured, “I don’t understand…” while looking at her notes, Gaga reassured her by saying, “I got it,” immediately stepping in to help.
This scene reminded me of a valuable lesson from my early days as a consultant. I was once taught a technique where you stand behind a client seated in front of a mirror, communicating with them through their reflection. The key, my mentor stressed, was to maintain strong eye contact and place a hand gently but firmly on the client’s shoulder while offering praise, reinforcing your words with a touch.
The Importance of Touch
Holding someone’s hand or placing a hand on their shoulder, much like a hug, is an act that can immediately instill a sense of reassurance. It helps build trust and fosters stronger communication. When speaking at eye level, the impact is even more powerful, and mutual understanding can accelerate.
However, touch should never be timid or hesitant, as it can create discomfort. At the same time, it should not be forceful. The goal is to convey your intention through a gentle, meaningful touch.
To this day, I have adhered to this principle in my work with clients and consider it one of the most important lessons to pass on to those I mentor.
“I Got You” – The Power of Simple Words
American media outlets quickly picked up on Gaga’s words, "I got you," when Minnelli appeared slightly confused while trying to read from the teleprompter. Gaga leaned in, softly reassuring her with those simple words. Minnelli’s quiet response, "I know. Thank you," was also caught on camera.
The phrase "I got you" can be interpreted as "Don’t worry," "I’ll help you," or "You’re safe with me." In this context, it likely meant something along the lines of, "It’s okay, I’ve got it under control." Gaga’s ability to gracefully handle the situation without adhering strictly to the script showed her deep respect for Minnelli, preserving her dignity in a challenging moment.
These small actions speak volumes about a person’s presence. Everything—from thoughts and decisions to behavior, words, expressions, and attire—comes together to form an individual’s unique presence.
Politeness as a Survival Strategy
Christine Porath’s book "Mastering Civility: A Manifesto for the Workplace," which became a bestseller a few years ago, delves into the study of workplace incivility. The author argues that politeness is a key element of grace and class acts and emphasizes how it is essential for success.
While Porath presents politeness as a survival strategy, Gaga’s behavior made me realize that such grace and class acts can also have a life-affirming effect on those around us. Grace and class are not superficial skills one can simply acquire—they reflect a person’s core beliefs and approach to life. However, by acknowledging the beauty of Gaga’s actions at the Oscars and aspiring to embody such qualities, we can undoubtedly make progress toward becoming better versions of ourselves.
I offer my highest praise to Lady Gaga for her display of grace and for being a true class act.