Lady Gaga’s fans have expressed outrage after the singer-turned-actress received multiple nominations for the 2025 Golden Raspberry Awards (Razzies), which celebrate the “worst” in cinema. Gaga, who stars alongside Joaquin Phoenix in Joker: Folie à Deux, is up for Worst Actress, with the film also leading the list of Razzie nominations with a total of seven nods.
The Joker sequel, directed by Todd Phillips, was one of 2024’s most anticipated films, but it quickly turned into a disappointment, with both critics and audiences panning the project. Despite the high-profile cast and the film’s potential, Joker: Folie à Deux failed to meet expectations, especially compared to its 2019 predecessor, which received widespread acclaim, including an Oscar nomination for Best Picture.
This year, the Razzie nominations have stirred controversy, with Lady Gaga receiving backlash for being included in the Worst Actress category. Her performance as Harley Quinn has been singled out by the Razzies, despite her strong track record in film, including her critically praised role in A Star Is Born (2018), for which she earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. In addition to the Worst Actress nod, Gaga also shares a nomination with Phoenix for Worst Screen Combo for their on-screen pairing in Joker: Folie à Deux.
Gaga’s devoted fanbase has come to her defense, particularly because her performance in Joker: Folie à Deux was limited by significant changes in the film’s structure. Reports suggest that several of her scenes were cut, leading critics to argue that her role in the film was underutilized. Many fans are upset, feeling that the Razzie nomination is unjust, especially given her proven talent and previous Oscar nomination.
One fan vented on social media, “The Razzies can go fk themselves. They just want attention by nominating Gaga and Joaquin. Their excuse is ‘the movie was bad, so everything about it was bad.’” Another fan echoed these sentiments, writing, “A lot of Gaga’s scenes were cut, critics said she was underused, and now they put her in here. It’s just so fking unfair.” A third fan added, “Lady Gaga was very much NOT the problem in that movie. The real issue was they didn’t do enough with her.”
The backlash is especially poignant considering Gaga’s previous recognition in the film industry. In 2019, she was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in A Star Is Born, where her performance as Ally earned critical acclaim. For many fans, her Razzie nomination is seen as an unfair reflection of her talent and an overreaction to a film that didn’t meet expectations.
Joker: Folie à Deux is a marked departure from the first Joker film, which was nominated for 11 Academy Awards in 2020, including Best Picture, and saw Phoenix win Best Actor for his portrayal of the troubled Arthur Fleck. However, for Folie à Deux, Phoenix finds himself on the Razzie ballot for Worst Actor, a stark contrast to the acclaim he received for his role in the original film. The sequel’s tonal shift, along with its musical elements, seems to have confused both critics and audiences, leading to its underwhelming reception.
In addition to Gaga and Phoenix, other queer stars and fan favorites also feature prominently in this year’s Razzie nominations. Ariana DeBose, known for her Oscar-winning role in West Side Story, has been nominated for Worst Supporting Actress for her performances in both Argylle and Kraven the Hunter. Cate Blanchett, meanwhile, is up for Worst Supporting Actress for her role in Borderlands. Additionally, Jennifer Lopez has been nominated for Worst Actress for her performance in Atlas, while Dakota Johnson’s portrayal of Madame Web has earned her a Razzie nod for Worst Actress as well. The Marvel film Madame Web garnered six nominations in total.
There is also a Worst Supporting Actor nomination for Shia LaBeouf for his role in Megalopolis, the highly anticipated sci-fi drama. LaBeouf, known for his controversial past, has continued to make headlines for his performance in this film, which has drawn mixed reactions.
While Gaga is unlikely to be thrilled about her Razzie nominations, she has bigger projects to focus on. The pop superstar is currently teasing a major announcement regarding her upcoming seventh studio album. A countdown clock on her official website is set to conclude at 4 p.m. GMT on January 27, 2025, sparking speculation about new music on the horizon.
Despite the Razzie nods, Lady Gaga’s place in Hollywood and her dedicated fanbase remain as strong as ever. As for the 2025 Razzies, the nominations have once again sparked debate about the often controversial nature of the awards, which have long been criticized for their negative spotlight on films and actors. Still, for many, Lady Gaga’s talent is undeniable, and her fans continue to show unwavering support in the face of criticism.
A full list of the 2025 Razzie nominations can be found on the official Razzie Awards website.
