Lady Gaga tells why she half-shaved her head

Lady Gaga unveiled her dramatic new hairdo on Twitter. Photo / littlemonsters.com

Lady Gaga has shaved her head as a tribute to her friend's late mother.

The Born This Way singer unveiled her dramatic new hairdo on Twitter last night, explaining it was to honour her close friend Terry Richardson's mum Annie Lomax, who passed away yesterday aged 74.

The eccentric pop star posted a photograph of the back of her head on the social network, revealing a large shaved section at the bottom, along with a caption which references her new track Princess D.I.E, a tribute to the late Princess Diana.

Gaga wrote: "I did it for u Terry. I'm sorry about ure mommy. She has princess die, but were all princess high. (sic)"

The 26-year-old superstar was keen to prove to her fans she hadn't cut all her hair off, adding a picture of her with her long brown hair in a top knot. She commented: "But we still have glamour in the front."

Gaga and renowned photographer Terry - who is best known for shooting raunchy pictures of the likes of Lindsay Lohan and Kate Moss - have been friends for years, and he was the mastermind behind her Monster Ball tour photo book, Lady Gaga X Terry Richardson.

Terry has documented his mother's last moments on film on his Tumblr page, where he wrote: "R.I.P. Annie Lomax, My Mom 1938-2012. (sic)"

Gaga is famed for her ever-changing look and collection of wigs, rocking blonde, orange, grey and pink hair in the last year alone.

Gaga caused a stir in August by dyeing her hair a natural-looking shade of brown.

She tweeted at the time: "Definitely feeling less blond lately and little more progressive brunette. I am LOUIS VUITTON BROWN. B**** THATS LV. (sic)"

- Bang! Showbiz