Iconic pop star Lady Gaga gave a heartfelt speech when she took the stage to receive the iHeartRadio Music Innovator Award at the 2025 awards ceremony

Lady Gaga’s acceptance speech at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards mentioned a few fellow A-listers, one of which the pop star hasn’t always gotten along with.

At this year’s awards ceremony, the Just Dance songstress received the iHeartRadio Music Innovator Award. For almost two decades, Lady Gaga has been a creative force that has redefined pop culture with her eclectic style and ever-changing aesthetic, hence why she got the Innovation Award Monday night. After Grammy-winning rapper Doechii introduced the New York-bred entertainer, Lady Gaga took the stage as she appreciatively accepted the award.

The singer-songwriter spoke eloquently, offering words of wisdom at the beginning of her speech.

“Innovation isn’t about breaking rules, it’s about writing your own, and convincing the world they were theirs all along,” the Joker 2 star said.

JoJo Siwa was one of the many celebrities at iHeartRadio Music Awards ( 
Image:
Getty Images for iHeartRadio)
Deeper in the speech, Lady Gaga revealed who some of her biggest influences were when it came to her as a music artist.

“I wouldn’t be here without my inspirations: David Bowie, Grace Jones, Carol King, Elton John, Lady Starlight, Madonna, Stevie Wonder, Duke Ellington, Cher, and of course my dear friend Tony Bennett,” she said.

Lady Gaga crediting Madonna with being an inspo for her speaks volumes being that their years-long feud, which seemingly was resolved in 2019, was reignited last year.

Madonna appeared to take a swipe at Lady Gaga during her concert at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena for her Celebration Tour in January 2024, Metro reported.

Linkin’ Park was also at the the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards ( 
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Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
After she said “‘are you guys mad at me because I said ‘Hello, Boston?,” Madonna made a shady pass at the Born This Way crooner saying, “‘I’m sorry. What kind of f- -ked up s – -t is that?,” adding “That would be like if you guys were saying, ‘Hey, Lady Gaga’s playing tonight!’ I wouldn’t like that.’”

Madonna and Gaga have had a famous rivalry ( 
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Getty Images for dcp)
Ever since Lady Gaga’s musical debut in 2008, many have compared her to Madonna. Comparisons were intensified when Lady Gaga released Born This Way in 2011 as the song is strongly similar to Madonna’s chart-topping 1989 record Express Yourself.

Madonna never pursued legal action over comparisons, but she did tell ABC in 2012 that she thinks she thinks the song “feels reductive.”

Madison Beer stuns at the awards ceremony ( 
Image:
Billboard via Getty Images)

Jenny McCarthy and Donnie Wahlberg attend the 2025 awards ceremony ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

Irrespective of Madonna’s views on Lady Gaga as an artist, the latter has maintained a certain level of respect for the fellow music sensation publicly.

While Lady Gaga was recognized with the 2025 iHeartRadio Innovator Award for her groundbreaking influence on pop culture, Mariah Carey was the recipient of prestigious iHeartRadio Icon Award for her outstanding career.

Also, the awards night featured electrifying performances from special acts such as Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish, GloRilla, Gracie Abrams, Kenny Chesney, Muni Long, and Nelly.