Lady Gaga’s Intense Joker Prep: Fiancé Got Involved

When Lady Gaga sang "the joker is me" on her new album Harlequin, she may have been alluding to her relationship with her fiancé, Michael Polansky. After immersing herself in the role of Patrizia Reggiani in House of Gucci, where she needed a psychiatric nurse on set, Gaga explained in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that she took a similar approach when preparing for her role as Harley Quinn alongside Joaquin Phoenix in Todd Phillips' Joker: Folie à Deux.

Gaga shared that she wasn't done with the character even after filming ended, as it had a profound impact on her. This inspired the creation of Harlequin, an album that includes reimagined covers and original songs performed by her and Phoenix in the film. She explained that the project was about celebrating the complexity of a woman who embodies both danger and sweetness and defies definition—much like her character Lee in the movie.

Gaga praised Polansky for his creativity, highlighting how their personal and artistic relationship influenced the album. She expressed how Polansky’s deep understanding of the character enhanced their collaboration, especially when crafting a sound that was both vibrant and tense, reflecting the dangerous yet pure nature of the character.

Their engagement was accidentally revealed by French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, where Gaga performed at the opening ceremony. In a video shared on Attal’s TikTok, Gaga introduced Polansky as her fiancé, news that had not yet been formally announced.

Harlequin, their first official musical collaboration, accompanies the highly anticipated Joker sequel. The film follows Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck as he falls in love with fellow patient Lee (Gaga) while they are confined in Arkham State Hospital. Their romance and Arthur’s trial for the crimes committed in the 2019 film unfold through surreal musical sequences, featuring songs from the Harlequin album.

In a separate interview, director Todd Phillips shared that Gaga and Phoenix collaborated closely on the musical sequences. Gaga offered Phoenix guidance on the choreography, singing, and dancing, while Phoenix gave her acting tips. Phillips described their partnership as a perfect example of true collaboration in filmmaking.