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Lady Gaga Takes Brave Stand Against Drought
Lady Gaga all wet. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images)
Lady Gaga is the new official spokesperson reminding you to conserve water in our parched state.It seems a little random, but it all started when Lady Gaga wanted to shoot the video for "G.U.Y." at the Hearst Castle in San Simeon (along with cast members of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, according to US Weekly). Most of the time, commercial shoots aren't allowed at the Castle—1960's Spartacus is a notable exception. But the foundation board made an exception because of the "extraordinary exposure (the project) will bring to a new generation." Board member Remar Sutton told the San Luis Obispo Chronicle, "She feels like she can engage young people in art."
Lady Gaga wanted to shoot in the iconic Neptune Pool, but that turned out to be tricky. The pool has been drained during the drought because it was leaking 5,000 gallons of water every day, according to the Los Angeles Times.
So Lady Gaga, the state and Hearst Castle Foundation struck a deal. The singer agreed to pay for the cost of water being pumped into the pool and then being pumped out after the shoot is done. She's also donating $250,000 to the Hearst Castle Foundation, which will includes funds to repair the pool, the $22,000 fee for filming and $25,000 for a water supply study in the nearby city of Cambria. She's also shooting a feature on the massive estate that yellow journalism built that will be donated to the foundation.
Lady Gaga also agreed to be a state spokesperson for water conservation. She's promised to spread the message to conserve water through social media to all her little monsters. She's also filming a PSA.
Jerry Brown sent a note to her thanking her:
"I want to personally thank you for the aide (sic) and assistance you are providing to Hearst Castle, the communities surrounding San Simeon and the state as a whole. I’ve called on all Californians to conserve water in every way possible and the assistance you are providing will aide in that effort."
If you're wondering about ways you can conserve water, check out some tips from our sister site SFist.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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