Lady Gaga has shared how much she admires Trent Reznor and his band, Nine Inch Nails. She recently revealed that their music played a big part in inspiring her new album, Mayhem.
On March 5, Gaga explained that Mayhem has a mix of different musical styles — from ’90s grunge to 2000s pop, with touches of funk and ’80s sounds. She mentioned that Nine Inch Nails’ song “Closer” was a huge influence, especially on her album’s lead single, “Disease”.
While speaking with Howard Stern on his SiriusXM show on March 12, Gaga couldn’t hide her love for “Closer.” When Stern asked why she liked the song so much, she simply said, “Because it’s so good!”
Stern then asked if she had ever met Trent Reznor. Gaga said she had, but admitted she doesn’t clearly remember the first time because she gets so overwhelmed in his presence. “I think I black out every time I’m in his presence. He’s an amazing musician,” she said.
When asked if she feels nervous around him, Gaga clarified that she’s not intimidated — just really excited and quiet when she’s around him. Recently, she was even spotted wearing Nine Inch Nails merch while surprising some of her fans.
Lady Gaga’s Mayhem not only showcases her love for pop but also highlights the rock and industrial influences she’s drawn from bands like Nine Inch Nails. It’s clear that she’s both a fan and an artist who continues to push boundaries.