Lady Gaga faces backlash over sponsored Pfizer post

Fans have expressed their disappointment

Lady Gaga is copping heat over a bizarre sponsored post. Image: Getty

Lady Gaga is under fire for a recent sponsored post on Instagram, as fans question her motive for schilling big pharma amidst a lack of support for the LGBTQIA+ community during Pride Month and damaging legislation in the US. 

There are three universal truths about the internet: 

One, TikTok is unbelievably addictive. 

Two, influencers will always start a video with “hey guys".

And three, A-list celebrities do not need to be doing sponsored posts. 

This week, Lady Gaga put the third truth to the test with a sponsored post that boggled the minds of everyone who came across it and has fans scratching their heads as to why the star felt it was necessary – or worthwhile.

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The post went live yesterday on Gaga’s Instagram account, noting it was a “Paid partnership with nurtecodt” – a migraine medication produced by Pfizer, the company best known for their Covid vaccine. 

Alongside an image of Gaga performing on stage is the medical information for Nurtec, including potential side effects and safety information. The full caption reads: 

“See full PI at @nurtecodt_pi. #pfizersponsored #nurtecodtpartner.

Ever since childhood, I’ve dealt with migraine pain. When I tried Nurtec® ODT (rimegepant) 75 mg for the first time, I’ll never forget wishing I had found it sooner. That’s why I’m proud to partner with Nurtec ODT. 💜 We’re in this together. If you’re ready to speak to a doctor, ask about Nurtec ODT today. #MHAM

INTENDED FOR US AUDIENCES ONLY.

Individual results may vary. Prescription only.

Nurtec ODT is for the acute treatment of migraine and the preventive treatment of episodic migraine in adults. Select Safety Information: Do not take if allergic to Nurtec ODT. Allergic reactions can occur, even days after using. Allergic reactions include trouble breathing, rash, and swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, or throat. Most common side effects were nausea (2.7%) and indigestion/stomach pain (2.4%). See full Approved Uses and Important Safety Information included in the image carousel. #ad” 

On a surface level, there is nothing explicitly wrong with the post – Gaga is promoting a drug for a medical issue she has personally experienced. However, there's more than meets the eye. 

While the product Gaga is promoting isn’t harmful per se, it is expensive. Despite her asserting “We’re in this together”, one box of Nurtec containing eight tablets retails for $1600.48 – well out of the price range for the average American, or Australian for that matter.

It’s also a bizarre decision from an optics standpoint. While the medication may be something Gaga personally uses and endorses, it’s interesting that she’s chosen to align her entire brand with a company she's never mentioned, in a way she's never previously done. And why would she?

Gaga’s net worth in 2023 is $330 million and she has a following of 55 million people – why is she schilling migraine medication if not for cash? It seems unlikely that she feels so personally connected to the meds that she would partner with the brand solely for the greater good. 

Thousands of users were quick to express their disappointment in the comments, with one writing: 

“Healthcare is a human right, not a commodity to exploit for the sake [of] greed and wealth. I know you are compassionate, intelligent, and thoughtful. I hope you will show that through the ways you use your platform and privilege moving forward. This ain’t it.” 

Others took a more scathing approach, calling out Gaga for her change in attitudes towards money over the years. 

“Your fans are extremely disappointed and ashamed,” they wrote. “we miss the old gaga not the money hungry shell of a person you’ve become.”

The next post on Gaga’s account came today, alongside the caption “Feeling super inspired, grateful, and have a lot of love in my heart 💕”

Not only is Gaga being trolled for doing the post from a financial and brand standpoint, members of the LGBTQIA+ community have also expressed their anger. As a recognised queer icon, many fans expected Gaga to participate in pride, at the very least by sharing related content. 

“Two weeks into pride and you’ve shared nothing but ads. so incredibly disappointing and hurtful,” wrote one commenter @_saint_magda. “Trans people are being legislated out of existence across the country and you’re busy shilling for big pharma. we live in hell.” 

This comes amidst transgender people facing significant setbacks in terms of governmental support in the United States, with several of the southern states –  including Florida, Missouri and Texas – passing laws to restrict gender-affirming surgeries and care. 

According to ABC News in the US, Texas officials have even “announced their intentions to launch child abuse investigations involving people who provide gender-affirming care for their transgender children.” 

Another Instagram user was quick to point out that “Just because you included trans people in a lyric of your song from 12 years ago, doesn’t give you the right to remain silent when you feel like it. 

“It only exposes how performative you really were back then. Was it ever genuine? I’m sure it was but your energy lately shows that you prioritise money, power and success over disenfranchised communities.” 

So the question comes down to whether celebrities engaging in brand deals is menial fodder or actively harmful to their audiences. 

While Gaga’s post isn’t especially heinous in its own right, the absence of other commentary amidst a catastrophically bad time for certain communities, could be. 

Originally published as Lady Gaga faces backlash over sponsored Pfizer post