Snl 2013 Gaga R Kelly

Back in 2013, Lady Gaga made headlines—not just for her music, but for a performance that many would rather forget. She and R. Kelly took the Saturday Night Live stage together to debut "Do What U Want" from her ARTPOP album, and the internet hasn’t stopped talking about it since. At the time, the collaboration seemed like just another edgy move from the ever-unpredictable pop star. But looking back, especially after R. Kelly’s later legal troubles, that SNL 2013 moment feels a lot more complicated. Fans were confused, critics were unimpressed, and the public reaction was... mixed, to say the least. Fast forward to more recent years, and Lady Gaga herself has cracked jokes about the whole thing. She even brought it up while hosting SNL for a second time, joking about how “every part of that performance aged amazingly.” But was that really the case? Let’s take a closer look at one of the most awkward—and bizarre—musical pairings in SNL history.

How Did Lady Gaga and R. Kelly End Up Performing Together on SNL in 2013?

Back in 2013, Lady Gaga was riding high on the release of her third studio album, ARTPOP. She was the host and musical guest for that season's episode of SNL, and she had big plans. One of those plans? Bringing in R. Kelly to perform a live version of “Do What U Want” together.

The decision raised eyebrows, even then. R. Kelly was already carrying a lot of baggage from past controversies, and pairing him with Gaga—who was still riding the fame wave from “Born This Way”—felt like a strange move.

Still, the performance went ahead. Gaga, in her usual avant-garde fashion, showed up in a glittery outfit, while R. Kelly took a more subdued approach. Together, they tried to pull off a sultry, high-energy duet that left many viewers scratching their heads.

What Was the Public Reaction to the SNL 2013 Gaga and R. Kelly Performance?

The immediate response? Confusion. Fans were not expecting that collaboration, and many took to social media to voice their thoughts. Some called it awkward, others called it tone-deaf.

Critics were quick to label the performance as one of the more questionable SNL musical moments. The chemistry between the two artists felt forced, and the song itself didn’t quite land the way Gaga had hoped.

In the years that followed, the performance took on a new layer of meaning after R. Kelly faced serious legal consequences for his actions. What was once just a weird SNL moment turned into a full-blown topic of discussion about artistic collaborations and accountability.

Why Did Lady Gaga Decide to Work with R. Kelly in the First Place?

At the time, Gaga defended the decision. She called R. Kelly a “genius” and seemed to genuinely admire his musical talent. That said, many fans found it hard to separate the art from the artist, especially as more allegations against Kelly surfaced over time.

The collaboration wasn’t just a one-off either—R. Kelly was actually featured on the studio version of “Do What U Want” from ARTPOP. So, the SNL performance wasn’t just a surprise; it was a planned part of the album rollout.

Still, Gaga later admitted that she regretted the decision. In fact, she publicly apologized to fans and removed the song from streaming platforms, showing that she had learned from the experience.

How Did Lady Gaga Handle the Backlash in Later Years?

Years after the SNL 2013 performance, Gaga found herself addressing the collaboration again—this time with a bit of humor and a lot of self-awareness.

When she returned to host SNL again, she made a point to poke fun at the whole situation. She even joked that “every part of that performance aged amazingly,” which many took as a sarcastic nod to how awkward it really was.

Her ability to laugh at herself—and acknowledge the mistake—earned her some credit in the eyes of fans. It also showed her growth as both an artist and a public figure, especially as she became a vocal advocate for survivors of sexual assault.

What Was the Song They Performed on SNL 2013?

The song in question was “Do What U Want,” which was co-written with and featured R. Kelly. It was one of the singles from Gaga’s ARTPOP album, and it was meant to be a bold, sensual statement.

On paper, the song had potential. But when paired with R. Kelly’s vocals and their live performance on SNL, it ended up feeling more uncomfortable than empowering.

Many fans felt that the song’s message was overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Kelly’s presence. The live performance, in particular, didn’t do much to elevate the track, and the backlash was immediate.

Did the Performance Impact Lady Gaga’s Career?

Surprisingly, not in a major way. Lady Gaga remained a massive pop icon, and her career continued to thrive. However, the SNL 2013 performance did become a talking point—especially as R. Kelly’s legal issues came to light.

Gaga eventually distanced herself from the collaboration, removing the song from streaming platforms and issuing a public apology. It’s clear that she regrets the decision, and she has since used her platform to support victims of abuse.

Still, the performance continues to pop up in retrospectives and deep dives into SNL history, often cited as one of the more awkward moments in the show’s long-running history.

What Happened After the SNL 2013 Performance?

Not long after the performance, R. Kelly’s past started catching up with him. Allegations that had been whispered for years began to surface more publicly, and the media started taking them seriously.

In 2019, the documentary *Surviving R. Kelly* reignited public interest in the accusations against him. By 2021, he was convicted of multiple charges, including racketeering and sex trafficking.

Meanwhile, Lady Gaga continued to evolve as an artist and activist. She became an outspoken supporter of abuse survivors, which made her past collaboration with Kelly even more complicated in the eyes of the public.

How Did Lady Gaga Address the Collaboration in Later Interviews?

In interviews after the SNL 2013 performance, Gaga initially defended her decision to work with R. Kelly, citing his musical talent. But as more information came out about his behavior, she began to shift her stance.

In 2018, she publicly apologized for the collaboration and removed the song from streaming services. She made it clear that she regretted the decision and that she would never make the same mistake again.

Her willingness to acknowledge her mistake and take responsibility helped her regain some of the trust she had lost. It also showed that she was willing to grow and learn from her past decisions.

Was the Performance a Turning Point for Lady Gaga?

In some ways, yes. While the SNL 2013 performance didn’t derail her career, it did serve as a lesson. It forced her to think more critically about the people she worked with and the messages she promoted through her music.

That experience, combined with her later advocacy work, helped shape the Gaga we know today—one who uses her voice to support victims and speak out against abuse.

Looking back, that awkward SNL moment might have been a small blip in her career, but it was a significant moment in her personal growth and public image.

Did the Public Forgive Lady Gaga for the Collaboration?

Opinions are still mixed. Some fans were upset by the collaboration, especially after learning more about R. Kelly’s actions. Others appreciated her apology and the steps she took to distance herself from him.

Her public support for survivors of abuse has gone a long way in helping her rebuild her reputation. Still, the SNL 2013 performance remains a controversial footnote in her career.

Whether or not people have forgiven her, the episode continues to come up in discussions about celebrity accountability and the responsibility artists have when choosing collaborators.

What Can We Learn from the SNL 2013 Lady Gaga and R. Kelly Moment?

One big takeaway is that collaborations—especially public ones—carry weight. When you associate with someone on a platform like SNL, you’re not just sharing the stage; you’re endorsing that person in a way.

It’s also a reminder that people can change. Lady Gaga’s evolution from defending the collaboration to publicly apologizing shows that growth is possible, even after a misstep.

And finally, it highlights the importance of listening to survivors and taking allegations seriously—something that, in hindsight, many wish had been done sooner when it came to R. Kelly.

Why Does This SNL Performance Still Matter Today?

Because it’s a case study in celebrity influence, accountability, and the long-term consequences of artistic decisions. What might seem like a small performance in the moment can become a much bigger story down the road.

In the age of social media and instant criticism, artists have to be more careful than ever about the messages they send. The SNL 2013 Gaga and R. Kelly moment serves as a cautionary tale about how quickly public perception can shift.

It also shows that while time can soften some memories, it doesn’t erase the impact of our choices—especially when those choices affect real people and real lives.

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