Access Hollywood
Lady Gaga Responds To Bette Midler’s Mermaid Claim
First Published: July 18, 2011 7:13 PM EDT Credit: Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CALIF. — Lady Gaga has responded to Bette Midler’s Twitter claims that the pop singer borrowed her mermaid-in-a-wheelchair routine during a recent tour stop.
“I had no idea that she did that and I’m a huge Bette Midler fan,” Gaga told Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush for “The Billy Bush Show” on Monday.
On Sunday, Bette Tweeted, “Dear @ladygaga if you think a mermaid in a wheelchair seems familiar-it’s because it is!You can see it on youtube 24/7-with ME performing it.”
When Billy asked Gaga if her routine was meant to be a tribute to Bette, the singer said it wasn’t originally, as she had no knowledge of the legend’s act, but she’s glad they have something in common.
“Not in the beginning it wasn’t ”˜cause I didn’t know that she’d done [it], but I do now and I think it’s great,” Gaga said. “Obviously I feel connected to women in theater and women from the past.
“Maybe we’re just cut from the same cloth,” the singer continued. “I couldn’t hop around in that tail so I just stuck myself in a wheelchair.”
The “Edge of Glory” superstar said she continues to admire Bette.
“All I’ll say is that I”¦ admire her and find her to be one of the most brilliant and incredible performers, so that’s all I’ll say,” she said.
Bette ended her short Twitter flurry about Gaga on Sunday with an invite to have a beverage at the Emmys, where both are nominated for their HBO shows ”“ Bette for “Showgirl,” Gaga for “Lady Gaga Presents the Monster Ball.”
“[L]et’s drink this over at the Emmys in September. Fabulous mermaids can coexist!” she added.
And Gaga noted to Billy that she thinks Bette’s full run of Tweets may have been humorously minded.
“Maybe she was just joking too. She’s funny. Who knows?” Gaga said.
“Save it, wench” is right