Lady Gaga’s plea for kindness —and social distancing

Lady Gaga

While art can be a source of inspiration during trying times, Lady Gaga has decided to move the release date of her upcoming sixth album, “Chromatica,” because “it just doesn’t feel right,” given the crippling effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on people all over the world.

“First of all, I want to make sure that everyone is staying safe and practicing social distancing. Please know that I’m thinking of you all. I want to tell you that, after a lot of deliberation, I have made the incredibly tough decision to postpone the release of ‘Chromatica.’ I will announce a new 2020 release date soon,” she said in a statement posted on her social media pages.

The singer-songwriter acknowledged that we’re currently living in “hectic and scary” times. “I believe that art is one of the strongest things we have to provide joy and healing in times like this. But it just doesn’t feel right to release this album with all that’s going on during this global pandemic,” she said.

But the album is still “very much on the way,” Lady Gaga assured her “Little Monsters.”

It would be better instead, she said, if we could all focus on finding solutions to the pandemic. “It’s important to me that the attention is on getting essential medical equipment to health care professionals; making kids who depend on public schools for meals get the assistance they need; and that we help those who will be financially impacted by this pandemic,” she stressed.

And due to the constraints placed on public gatherings, Lady Gaga’s Vegas residency at the MGM Park Theater has also been postponed.

“I hope that my other Vegas shows in May will continue,” she said, adding that her “Chromatica Ball,” however, is still scheduled as planned.

Lady Gaga also revealed that she had initially planned to make a surprise appearance at the Coachella music festival to promote her new music. But that, too, has been shelved, after the event has been postponed to October this year.

“I had so many fun things planned for us to celebrate together,” she related. “I had a secret Coachella set lined up and a lot of other fun surprises, some of which I’m still planning to share with all of you very soon.”

For the meantime, Lady Gaga urged everyone to “practice kindness.”

“To my fans, I love you. I know you’re disappointed. Probably angry and sad … but I also know that as a fan base, as a family, we are strong, we are loving and we’re the kindness punks,” the award-winning musician said, adding that she hopes to dance, hug and kiss each other once the album finally comes out.

“Make it the most bombastic celebration of all time. But until that time comes, let’s all stay home!” she stressed. —ALLAN POLICARPIO