Lady Gaga Speaks Out Against Ice During Emotional Tokyo Show
Lady Gaga turned a moment of pop spectacle into a serious message while performing in Japan. During her January 29 show at the Tokyo Dome, the singer paused her concert to speak about immigration enforcement in the United States.
Sitting at her piano, Gaga told the crowd she needed to talk about something that mattered deeply to her. She said she felt a responsibility to speak up, especially as she prepares to return home. My heart is aching thinking about the people, the children, the families, who are being mercilessly targeted by ICE, she told the audience, according to fan videos and press coverage.
Gaga focused on recent federal raids in Minneapolis that reportedly led to the deaths of two civilians, Alex Pretti and Renee Good. She described the fear spreading through communities and said that when people lose their sense of safety, it affects everyone. When a community feels unsafe, it breaks something in all of us, she said during the speech.
Even though she was performing thousands of miles away, Gaga reminded fans that global audiences are still connected. She encouraged people to stand together and support those who feel powerless. Her message was not angry but emotional, and many in the crowd were visibly moved.
She also directed her words toward U.S. leadership, calling for compassion and change. Gaga said that good people should not have to fight so hard just to be safe and respected. She added that she hoped those in power were listening. She then dedicated her song Come to Mama to anyone feeling scared or alone, saying she wanted to offer hope, even in a small way.
Lady Gaga condemns ICE in heartfelt speech at the MAYHEM Ball in Tokyo tonight:
— Gaga Daily (@gagadaily) January 29, 2026
"I want to take a second to talk about something that’s extremely important to me. Something important to people all over the world and especially in America right now. In a couple of days, I'm gonna… pic.twitter.com/UmfXmZIKPy
Her speech comes at a tense moment in U.S. immigration politics. According to recent statements reported by national outlets, border official Tom Homan said ICE would shift toward more targeted enforcement focused on individuals with criminal records. This followed weeks of protests and public criticism. Other artists, including Bruce Springsteen, have also spoken out, with Springsteen recently releasing the protest song Streets of Minneapolis in response to the same events.
Outside of politics, Gaga is riding a major career high. She is currently on her Mayhem Ball world tour, which has sold out arenas across Asia and Europe. The tour is set to return to North America in February with stops in California, Arizona, and New York.
She is also heading into this weekend’s Grammy Awards with seven nominations. Her album MAYHEM is up for Album of the Year, and Abracadabra is a strong contender for Song of the Year. Fans are already wondering if Gaga will once again use the stage to speak about more than music.
Do you think artists should speak about politics and human rights during concerts? Share your thoughts in the comments.
