Lady Gaga Opens Up About Meeting Trent Reznor: ‘Stoked’

Lady Gaga has long been known for pulling inspiration from an eclectic mix of artists, and with seventh studio album Mayhem, she’s cited Nine Inch Nails as a major influence.

During a new interview on The Howard Stern Show on March 12, the pop icon opened up about her admiration for Trent Reznor and his groundbreaking work with the industrial rock outfit.

When Stern played Nine Inch Nails’ “Closer” and asked why she loves the track so much, Gaga didn’t hesitate. “Because it’s so good!” she replied. The 1994 hit, known for its pulsating synths and provocative lyrics, is one of Nine Inch Nails’ most recognizable songs, charting in the top 50 on the Billboard Hot 100 and leaving an impact on rock and electronic music.

Gaga revealed that she’s actually met Reznor but struggled to recall their first meeting. “I forget the first time. I think I black out every time I’m in his presence,” she admitted, adding, “He’s an amazing musician.” When asked if she ever felt intimidated by him, she clarified, “Not intimidated—just really excited, stoked, quiet.”

Earlier this month, Gaga shared that Mayhem, her first full-length studio album since 2020’s Chromatica, is heavily influenced by the sounds of the ‘90s and 2000s. She listed Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead among the artists who helped shape the record’s sonic direction, describing it as a fusion of “’90s grunge influence, 2000s pop influence, funk influence, ‘80s influence.”

She specifically credited “Closer” as a major inspiration for Mayhem’s lead single, “Disease,” which has already sparked discussions among fans about its darker, industrial-tinged sound.

As Gaga gears up for the release of Mayhem, Nine Inch Nails are also making waves with their own plans. The band announced their Peel It Back tour earlier this year, marking their first live performances since 2022. The run will see them hitting stages across the U.K., Europe, and North America this summer, with support from Boys Noize.

Reznor also confirmed at the end of 2024 that new Nine Inch Nails music is in the works, saying, “We’re ready to be back in the driver’s seat.”

Album single “Abracadabra” arrived at No. 29 in its first abbreviated week on the Feb. 15-dated Billboard Hot 100 and debuted at No. 1 on the Hot Dance/Pop Songs tally with “Abracadabra,” becoming the second chart-topper in the survey’s five-week history. 

Despite its shortened week, “Abracadabra” boasted the highest sales and streaming totals in the chart’s brief history.

Following the chart’s current reigning champ, the Bruno Mars-assisted “Die with A Smile”, and “Disease” (No. 27), Mayhem already boasted three top 40 hits on the all-genre ranking prior to its March 7 release, marking her first album to do so since 2013’s Artpop. Overall, it’s her 39th entry on the chart dating back to “Just Dance,” featuring Colby O’Donis, which spent three weeks at No. 1