Stephanie Mills is asking Lady Gaga for an apology over a private performance she says left her feeling disrespected.
The 69-year-old singer recounted the encounter in an interview with Jason Lee, previewed by BET on October 14.
Mills said the appearance took place at a New York fashion shoot, where she had been invited to surprise Gaga. She did not give a date for the encounter.
Gaga’s representatives did not immediately respond to Entertainment Weekly‘s request for comment.
Her Managers Said “Home” Was Gaga’s Favorite Song
Mills recalled being approached by her managers with the assurance that Gaga loved “Home.” They wanted her to travel to the shoot and perform the song in person. “At first I said no,” Mills told Lee. She questioned why she should make the appearance but eventually agreed after being persuaded.
When she arrived, Mills said Gaga had a small black dog with her and other people were gathered around. She went ahead with the performance but recalled receiving little reaction from the singer.
“She looked at me like I had two heads,” Mills said. In her account, Gaga neither smiled nor showed the excitement Mills had expected after hearing how much the song meant to her.
Mills Says a Photo Shoot Was Offered Instead of Money
Mills said the arrangement provided for the fashion photographer to take professional pictures of her in exchange for singing. She was not receiving a cash performance fee.
Mills said photographs were taken after she finished singing. As she and her party prepared to leave, however, members of Gaga’s team approached them near the elevator and ordered the pictures deleted.
According to her account, also reported by the Los Angeles Times, the group had to show that every image had been erased before they could go.
Mills Says She No Longer Admires Gaga
Mills called Gaga a “culture vulture” while discussing the encounter. She referred to the Black professionals who had helped guide Gaga’s career, including former manager Troy Carter, as she explained her criticism.
Asked by Lee how she gave people grace after experiences like that, Mills said she continued to treat others with respect even when her opinion of them changed. “I know who I am,” she said. “I did it. I sang a song for her. I had admiration for her. I don’t any longer.”
She said experience had taught her to lower her temperature and trust that another opportunity to speak would come. Lee then told Mills that Gaga had watched his show before.
Looking toward the camera, Mills addressed her directly: “I hope you watch, and I hope you remember what you did. And I feel like you owe me an apology.”
“Home” Has Been Part of Mills’ Career Since “The Wiz”
Mills originated Dorothy in The Wiz, which opened at Broadway’s Majestic Theatre on January 5, 1975. Written by Charlie Smalls, “Home” closes Dorothy’s journey through the musical.
The production won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, according to the Broadway League. Mills later recorded the song for her 1989 album of the same name, and her version became a No. 1 R&B hit. She returned to the musical as Aunt Em in NBC’s The Wiz Live! in 2015, four decades after its original Broadway opening.
During a March 17, 2023, appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, Hudson told Mills how much she loved “Home.” Mills agreed to sing it on the condition that her host join her, and the two performed it as a duet.