What is she wearing? Did she just say that? What drugs is she on?

For me particularly, the catastrophic success already amassed by the new-age pop phenom prompts me to question the current state of the music industry. 

In today’s world, what exactly does it take to make a pop star?

As evidenced by her sold-out two-night concert engagement at the Staples Center, it is clear that in a just a little over a year’s time Gaga has already graduated to the throne of pop music royalty, though her status as queen or princess is heavily debated (mostly by Britney and Madonna fans). But how did she get there, and so fast? 

Is it the vocals? On command, the 24-year-old singer can deliver hard-rock tonal quality and impressive lung power made to get her through her colorful palette of catchy dance pop electronica as well as her more challenging stripped down piano ballads. Still, a certain buxom blonde pop princess who debuted back in 1999 walking the line of innocence and strategic sexual allure tells us that as far as pop stardom is concerned, vocal talent is not at all that important. 

Perhaps it’s the costumes? At her show, titled “The Monster Ball,” Gaga boasts an incredible line-up of 15 costume changes, including her expected wardrobe of metallic space garb, studded dominatrix wear, exaggerated shoulder pads and flame-throwing undergarments. While Gaga’s outfits are a spectacle all their own, the flashy fashions are only mere decoration to the intricate set design and hit music that work to feed Gaga’s overall image.

At the concert in Los Angeles, Gaga performed a varied collection of 19 songs, sampling her hits like “Telephone” and “Bad Romance” as well as older material she wrote living in New York City four years ago. Immersed in a fantastical Wizard of Oz meets New York City storyline, the concert inadvertently showcases Gaga as a tireless singing-dancing machine, dazzling the 22,000-member crowd for nearly 2 and a half hours. But side stage there is another show going on, which brings us to the answer to all our questions. 

Above everything else—the visuals, dance sequences, vocal chops, or eye-catching attire—the only thing that can explain the overnight frenzy responsible for Gaga’s sudden superstardom is her fans. To date, Gaga has sold almost 4 million copies in the U.S. of her debut album, “The Fame,” won 2 GRAMMY awards and is nominated a record-breaking 13 times at the MTV Video Music Awards this year—a distinction greater than any other artist in the history of the network.  

 At the edge of their seats never tiring to sit down, Gaga’s extraordinary cult-like fandom has aggressively pushed her to the top, leaving any contemporary competition the pop supernova may have in the dust. As the September issue of Vanity Fair which Gaga covers defiantly stated, “Comparisons to other female pop stars are beside the point.”

This observation is made with careful review of the evidence, which Gaga offered plenty on stage. The Monster Ball isn’t just a concert. As she described, it is a place for her fans to go and be themselves. While drenched in fake blood during her performance of Spanish-influenced tune “Alejandro,” Gaga questioned the acts of social discrimination motivated by religion. She got down on her knees to loudly decry, "I'm quite certain that JESUS MUST LOVE EVERYBODY!" 

Before her sexually charged performance of “Boys, Boys, Boys” the songstress made a shout out to the recent victory for “Los Angeles’ gay kids,” flooding musical interludes with statements of political expression. Amid the crotch grabs and suggestive dance moves, she exclaimed, “If it can happen in California, it can happen anywhere.” 

Gaga is also the spokeswoman for tour sponsor Virgin Mobile’s new initiative against youth homelessness, an issue which affects a huge portion of the LGBT community. In a heartfelt moment on stage, Gaga explained her inspiration as a social advocate, fighting for her gay fans that were kicked out because their parents “didn’t understand they were born that way.” 

While show still retained an element of pure fun, gooey pop entertainment, it becomes clear that with Gaga, she is more than a pop musician. She offers dance music, but more importantly she provides a unique community for her fans—one that champions individualism and self-expression. Between songs, Gaga made certain to emphatically thank her packed audience of "little monsters" –the term of endearment the pop princess gives to her hair bow-wearing, glitter-donning legion of super fans. Unmasked, Gaga’s monsters represent the diverse individuals of a generation.  

What makes a pop star actually stick today is the feat of an artist to move beyond her industry and bring meaning to pop culture, rather to become pop culturally relevant. With her fans loyally supporting her, Lady Gaga is an artistic and cultural revelation. 

Check out Christopher Agutos' SLIDESHOW of Gaga fans from the show:

To reach Christopher Agutos, click here.