Lady Gaga opens up about self-harm for first time: 'I was a cutter for a long time'

Photo / Getty

Photo / Getty

*Warning: This article contains explicit content*

Lady Gaga has admitted that she "was a cutter for a long time."

The 33-year-old singer has revealed she used to self-harm as that was the only way to tell people that she was in "pain" but she eventually realised that talking to people about her emotions stopped her from intentionally injuring herself.

Speaking to Oprah Winfrey in an interview for ELLE magazine, she said: "I've actually not opened up very much about this, but I think it's an important thing for people to know and hear: I was a cutter for a long time, and the only way that I was able to stop cutting and self-harming myself was to realise that what I was doing was trying to show people that I was in pain instead of telling them and asking for help. When I realised that telling someone, 'Hey, I am having an urge to hurt myself,' that defused it. I then had someone next to me saying, 'You don't have to show me. Just tell me: What are you feeling right now?' And then I could just tell my story. I say that with a lot of humility and strength; I'm very grateful that I don't do it anymore, and I wish to not glamourise it."

The Shallow hitmaker has advised any fans who suffer from similar issues to plunge their hands into a bowl of cold water because it blocks unwanted thoughts.

She explained: "One thing that I would suggest to people who struggle with trauma response or self-harm issues or suicidal ideation is actually ice.

"If you put your hands in a bowl of ice-cold water, it shocks the nervous system, and it brings you back to reality."

View this post on Instagram

She has an Oscar and multiple Grammys, now @ladygaga adds beauty entrepreneur and mental health champion to her résumé. For our December cover, Gaga sat down with @oprah to discuss her exponential career path. “I really view my career as a rebellion against all the things in the world that I see to be unkind. Kindness heals the world. Kindness heals people. It’s what brings us together—it’s what keeps us healthy.” Link in bio to read the full interview. ⁣ ⁣ ELLE December 2019:⁣ Editor-in-chief: @ninagarcia⁣ Creative director: #StephenGan⁣ Cover star: @ladygaga⁣ Photographer: @solvesundsbostudio #SolveSundsbo⁣ Stylist: @tomerebout @sandraamador.xx⁣ Hair: @fredericaspiras⁣ Makeup: @sarahtannomakeup @hauslabs⁣ Nails: @mihonails⁣ Production: @joyasburyproductions

A post shared by ELLE Magazine (@elleusa) on

Gaga previously opened up about her mental health issues when she won a Grammy for her song from A Star Is Born in February.

She said at the time: "If I don't get another chance to say this - I just want to say I'm so proud to be a part of a movie that addresses mental health issues.

"They're so important, and a lot of artists deal with that, and we got to take care of each other, so if you see somebody that's hurting, don't look away."

Where to get help:

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

- Bang! Showbiz

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you

Connect with The Hits:

Sign up for newsletters