Lady Gaga has hit out at her critics after coming under fire from PETA. Photo / Richard Robinson
Lady Gaga has a message for fur critics: Back off!
The 26-year-old singer recently incurred the wrath of animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) over her furry fashion choices.
Last week, Mother Monster was snapped stepping out in what appeared to be a pink mink fur coat after a trip to the Armani New York boutique.
She was also spotted wearing fur while exiting a hotel in Sofia, Bulgaria on the eve of her European tour this week.
PETA was not pleased.
The animal rights group penned a blistering open letter to Gaga on Monday, branding her a "turncoat", and reminded the singer of her previous anti-fur stance.
Fur flip-flop
"I hate fur and I don't wear fur," Gaga proclaimed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show back in 2009.
"Many of your gay fans, I among them, have long admired what you told Ellen: 'I hate fur and I don't wear fur.' I included a link because these recent photos of you in fox and rabbit and with a wolf carcass make it appear that you have amnesia," wrote Dan Mathews, PETA's senior vice president.
"What happened? Are your stylists telling you that it's fake, or are you a turncoat?"
He added: "Many gays are animal advocates because we recognise that the same arrogance and indifference that some have toward animal suffering has at times been directed toward us personally because of our orientation.
"By wearing those dumb furs in a heat wave, you're making yourself a target just like the mindless Kim Kardashian. As we plan our fall campaigns, please tell us whether what you gracefully told Ellen was heartfelt or just a pose."
Actor Alan Cumming also took a pop at Gaga for her fashion choices.
"I'm so disappointed to learn @ladygaga wears fur! Guess she doesn't love all little monsters," the Good Wife star tweeted.
Gaga later addressed the brouhaha, sort of. The Born This Way singer kept her response short and tongue-in-cheek.
"For those press and such who are writing about whether or not my fur is actually real, please don't forget to credit the designer HERMES. Thank You! LOVE, Gaga," she wrote on her social networking site Little Monsters.
After the singer's vague response, Cumming shot back: "Really @ladygaga? Giving Hermes a shout out is more important than being open with your fans?!
'You see a carcass, I see a museum pièce de résistance...'
Gaga has since issued a longer statement on the fur stink, and slammed the animal rights group for their "childish campaigns."
"To the fans. I want you to know that I care deeply about your feelings and views, and I will always support your philosophies about life. We've been having over-arching conversations about society, equality, and politics for the past five years, and we should continue," Gaga wrote. "I do not however support violent, abusive, and childish campaigns for ANY CAUSE. Particularly one that I respect. 'Animal Rights'.
"I am choosing not to comment on whether or not the furs I purchase are faux fur-pile or real because I would think it hypercritical not to acknowledge the python, ostrich, cow hide, leather, lamb, alligator, 'Kermit' and not to mention meat, that I have already worn."
She added, "You see a carcass, I see a museum pièce de résistance...I respect your views, please respect mine."
Gaga concluded: "And to campaigners, save your flour to make bread for the children who are hungry. And Kim Kardashian is fabulous."
Fur-loving reality TV queen Kim Kardashian was flour-bombed by a PETA supporter while trotting down the red carpet at a bash earlier this year.
No word from PETA on Gaga's response.
'Massive struggles'
And amid the backlash over her sartorial choices, Gaga's been busy getting a few other things off her chest.
The singer got personal in an open letter, written to mark the release of her Fame perfume trailer, which she posted on her Little Monsters social networking site on Wednesday.
In it, she spoke about her "massive struggles" over the past year - both professionally and personally.
Titled "A letter to my sweet fans" she wrote: "Today is a really happy day for me. The past year was a challenge, and I'm so happy to have my spirit back."
She then explained what wounded her.
"Whether [it] be the record label disagreeing with me on single choices, or directors who could only create an idea of 'gaga' or what I've 'done before' and not able to move forward," she wrote.
Gaga then addressed the well-publicised drama around her single Born This Way.
When the single was released last year, the singer faced criticism that the track sounded eerily similar to Madonna's Express Yourself.
Madge also waded in on the controversy, revealing that when she first heard the song, she thought it sounded "very familiar" to her own work.
Speaking to ABC News, she sniped: "I thought, 'What a wonderful way to redo my song.' I mean, I recognised the chord changes. I thought it was ... interesting."
Gaga added in her post: "And there was also of course the incessant dragging of the most important single of my career in dead-beaten-horse-mud.
"Then there were all the personal moments. Betrayed by lifelong friends, mentors I've had for years suddenly taking advantage of me, and a massive struggle with my body image."
She continued: "I've grown and left most of these things behind, the monsters of fame are very real. But I wanted to thank you for bearing with me a little bit.
"Today's film is what happens when there is love and respect amongst creatives, teams, management.
"This project was run solely by the HAUS OF GAGA, ATOM FACTORY, AND STEVEN KLEIN'S fantastic team. I am feeling blessed to have removed those from my life driven by money and luxury, its all about the art of it. I feel free today. Thank you for always being there for me monsters. "
Check out the trailer for Gaga's new perfume below:
The fragrance will be released in the US in September, followed by her next album, ARTPOP, in early 2013.
Fast gossip
And finally...
* Kristen Stewart upset she's being painted as a cheater.
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* Shia LaBeouf: 'I'm done' making big-budget studio movies.
* Megadeth frontman says Obama "staged" Aurora shooting.
* Robert Pattinson admits to reading other people's diaries.
* Big daddy-to-be: Robbie Williams flexes his muscles in shirtless snap.
* Miley Cyrus: Liam loves my pixie cut.
* No wedding for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie this weekend.
* Jennifer Aniston leaking false wedding info to friends.
* Robert Downey Jr. injured on set of Iron Man 3.
* Rachel Weisz opens up about marriage to Daniel Craig.
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