Artist Lady Gaga

It’s been pretty tough to ignore Lady Gaga lately, and that’s exactly how she wants it. Regardless of what you think of her pop-tart-meets-performance-art shtick—which cherry-picks from forbears like Madonna, Blondie, Bowie, and even artists like Andy Warhol and Cindy Sherman—it’s undeniable that 24-year-old Stefani Germanotta is adept at turning heads. But there’s more to Gaga’s fame than dresses made out of meat, giant hair bows, and habitual pantslessness: Her 2008 debut, The Fame, went platinum, and 2009's The Fame Monster, boasted the mega-hit “Bad Romance” and the follow-ups “Telephone” and “Alejandro.” Gaga continues her 18-month-long Monster Ball tour, which will likely include at least the lead-single/title-track from her upcoming follow-up, Born This Way, due out this May.

Updated 02/14/2011