Lady Gaga Singing Live in Joker: Folie à Deux alongside co-star Joaquin Phoenix is the newest story that has come out about the movie. In the upcoming sequel Joker: Folie à Deux, Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga took an unconventional approach to their musical performances, singing live on camera instead of using pre-recorded tracks. Director Todd Phillips, who co-wrote the film, revealed that this approach was essential to capturing the authenticity of their characters, Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) and Harleen Quinzel (Lady Gaga).
Lady Gaga Singing Live in Joker: Folie à Deux
According to IndieWire, The film blends courtroom drama with fantastical musical sequences, where Arthur and Harleen’s emotions are expressed through iconic songs like those of the Bee Gees and Billy Joel. Phillips explained that the soundtrack reflects music Arthur might have listened to with his mother, infusing emotional depth into the scenes.
Singing live was Lady Gaga’s idea, and although Phoenix initially hesitated, it became a crucial element of their performances. The actors sang to live piano accompaniment during filming, allowing each take to feel spontaneous and unique. Phoenix mentioned how this decision added excitement and energy to their performances. Despite the fact that it required more nuanced singing than in typical musicals.
Lady Gaga shared that the live music approach gave their characters a deeper way to express themselves. The songs acted as an extension of the scenes, conveying emotions that couldn’t be captured by dialogue alone. Gaga emphasized that her goal was to unlearn vocal techniques and embrace a more raw, character-driven delivery.
The Role of Music in Joker Movie
Director Todd Phillips noted that music played an integral role in the first Joker film, with Hildur Guðnadóttir’s score almost serving as another character. Bringing Lady Gaga into the sequel further expanded the film’s musicality. This turned the movie into something more than just a musical—an emotional journey enhanced through live music.
Phoenix also discussed the physical demands of reprising his role. He mentioned that losing weight for the role was more challenging this time due to extensive dance rehearsals. The actor hinted that this might be his last time undergoing such an intense physical transformation for a role.