Lady Gaga is rarely what one would call “understated.” 

The music superstar has walked red carpets in some of the wildest outfits, wackiest hair, and in-your-face makeup you can imagine. She arrived at the 2011 Grammy Awards inside an egg, for pete’s sake. 

She walked the champagne-colored carpet (a break with the decades-long red carpet tradition) at Sunday night’s Acadamy Awards in a provocative, mostly sheer Versace gown and full makeup—but it’s what she wore next that has the internet talking. 

For her performance of the Oscar-nominated song “Hold My Hand” from best film nominee Top Gun: Maverick, Gaga did a full 180. She sat on a stool in ripped jeans, sneakers, a black t-shirt, and a bare face stripped of all its makeup. When she appeared on my screen, I have to confess: I didn’t even know who she was for a few seconds. 

What she shared as an introduction to the performance matched the tone of the emotional song too. “[This song] is deeply personal for me. I think that we all need each other. We need a lot of love to walk through this life. We all need a hero sometimes; there are heroes all around us in unassuming places. But you might find that you could be your own hero even if you feel broken inside.”

Watch the performance below: 

Her performance will undoubtedly be memorable for a very un-Gaga reason: her natural, raw beauty and the simple power of that voice were the stars. 

Earlier in the evening, she also made quick headlines for stopping to help a photographer who stumbled on the formerly-red carpet. 

Lady Gaga stops to help photographer who fell at the #Oscars. pic.twitter.com/4w4MNCO89X

— Pop Base (@PopBase) March 13, 2023

But it’s that performance everyone is talking about today. 

Starting my week off with this message from Lady Gaga:

"You might find that you can be your own hero, even if you feel broken inside." #Oscars pic.twitter.com/zBmrgGVpiY

— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) March 13, 2023

Lady Gaga is a national treasure. That’s the tweet.#Oscars

— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) March 13, 2023

Lady Gaga absolutely slaying at the #Oscars again. Let her host one of these years (if she wants). pic.twitter.com/NL0NKFof6E

— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) March 13, 2023

Even the ultra close-up camerawork (it seems to be her thing at the Oscars!) generated some good reaction any mom who’s ever watched Monsters, Inc. with her kids will appreciate. 

The camera panning to Lady Gaga sitting like this #Oscars #Oscars95 #AcademyAwards pic.twitter.com/tS5r9c1GUQ

— Kenny (@kennysroys) March 13, 2023

Did you watch the performance? What did you think?