Lady Gaga’s Performance at the Oscars Could Redefine Her Career

3 minute read

At an Oscars ceremony whose high points were almost entirely musical, Lady Gaga stole the show. The “Bad Romance” singer ditched her usual elaborate theatrics for a pared-down, beautiful 50th-anniversary tribute to The Sound of Music, for which she hit Julie Andrews’ high notes; the Oscar-winning actress thanked Gaga by name, proving that the establishment has accepted a pop star who was once the oddest girl in any room. What was shocking about it all was how un-shocking it was.

After all, this isn’t just any pop star we’re talking about. Lady Gaga practically invented the current era of pop music as spectacle, one that’s become an escalating arms race of self-conscious oddity. Katy Perry’s palling around with Left Shark and Miley Cyrus’ every aesthetic choice both owe something to Lady Gaga, who was the first dazzling weirdo to provide enough material for the web’s endless churn. Last night, though, Gaga was sedate and competent.

The competence, at least, should come as no surprise. Though as a singer, Gaga is better known for dance music that doesn’t necessarily capitalize on vocal gifts, she’s a trained musician who began her career as a rock-tinged singer-songwriter. It’s only in recent years that Gaga has begun to see her career lose its balance: her 2013 album, Artpop, was heavy on ideas about fame and light on musicianship.

The singer has righted things by leaning on the classics. Her most recent album is a set of duets with Tony Bennett, drawn from the American songbook. It won her a Grammy, and, perhaps more important, got her some respect back. An artist whose shtick had begun to wear thin has reinvented herself in the most surprising way of all: by leaning heavily on songcraft and artistry.

Gaga’s performance at the Oscars was not about the singer’s persona, her ideas about modern celebrity or her oddity; it was about The Sound of Music. Indeed, one choice in particular indicated that the singer’s outlook really has changed in recent months. Lady Gaga wore long red gloves on the red carpet, as though she were about to wash some dishes. It was classic Gaga, a clothing choice that would seem to beg for attention, until one realized that the gloves covered her new engagement ring — to ensure that no one would be talking about it. For a star whose career has long been about making herself the center of attention, Gaga’s ceding attention to something else was a major step forward.

Read next: Julie Andrews Calls Lady Gaga a ‘New Friend’

Oscars 2015: Celebrities on the Red Carpet

87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Emma Stone attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Scarlett Johansson attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Chris Pratt and Anna Faris attend the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Jessica Chastain attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter attend the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Chris Pine attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Reese Witherspoon attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Anna Kendrick attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Frazer Harrison—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Rosamund Pike attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Bradley Cooper attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Neil Patrick Harris, right, and David Burtka attendsthe 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Lupita Nyong'o attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Gwyneth Paltrow attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Eddie Redmayne attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Julianne Moore attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Oprah Winfrey attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Nicole Kidman attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
America Ferrera attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Cate Blanchett attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Michael Keaton attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
David Oyelowo attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
J.K. Simmons attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Zendaya attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Josh Hutcherson attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Kevin Hart attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Dakota Johnson attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Melanie Griffith attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Hans Zimmer attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Ethan Miller—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Giuliana Rancic attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Jason Reitman attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jeff Kravitz—FilmMagic/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Margot Robbie attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Joanna Newsom, left, and Andy Samberg attend the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Common attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Karolina Kurkova attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Jamie Chung attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Patricia Arquette attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - People Magazine Arrivals
Michael Strahan attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Michael Buckner—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Mario Lopez attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Ryan Seacrest attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Will i Am attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Kelly Osbourne attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Miles Teller attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Felicity Jones attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
John Stamos attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Naomi Watts attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Marion Cotillard attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Alejandro G. Inarritu attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Genesis Rodriguez attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Frazer Harrison—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Laura Dern attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Questlove attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Chrissy Teigen attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw attend the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jeff Kravitz—FilmMagic/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
John Legend attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Rita Ora attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Chloe Grace Moretz attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Viola Davis attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Chiwetel Ejiofor attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Kerry Washington attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Sienna Miller attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Ansel Elgort attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Ed Norton and Shauna Robertson attend the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Channing Tatum attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Keira Knightley attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Justin Theroux and Jennifer Aniston attend the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Chris Evans attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Felicity Jones attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif. Frazer Harrison—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Lady Gaga attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Jennifer Lopez attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
87th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Solange Knowles attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.Jason Merritt—Getty Images

Listen to the most important stories of the day.

More Must-Reads from TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com