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More than a dozen testers moved, sweated, stretched, arm balanced, and meditated on 35 mats. These are the ones we’re still practicing on.

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The Best Yoga Mats for Literally Everyone

“What’s the best yoga mat?” It’s a question we hear all the time. Our answer is always, “It depends.” More specifically, it depends on how you practice, what you practice, and whether you practice in a way that prioritizes cushiness, grippiness, portability, affordability, sustainability, or any of many other qualities.

We asked 18 yoga teachers and students of varying experience levels to ditch their usual mats for more than a month of sweating, balancing, kneeling, and sitting cross-legged. We unrolled the contenders for best yoga mats at studios, stretched on them at home, tossed them in our car trunks, lugged them along city sidewalks, and (sometimes) scrubbed them down afterward. Then we did it again and again and again.

The following yoga mats are the ones we consider standouts for various reasons. Below, we’ve highlighted what our testers appreciated most about each to help you match one with your practice.

Be sure to also check out as well as the , , and.

At a Glance

All mats in this guide were tested by multiple reviewers. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people on their mats. Learn more.


Manduka PRO
(Photo: Courtesy Manduka)

Best Yoga Mat You’ll Never Need to Replace

Manduka Pro

Material: OEKO-TEX Standard 100 PVC
Thickness: 6mm
Weight: 7.5 pounds
Dimensions: 71 x 26 inches

Pros and Cons
⊕ Lifetime guarantee
⊕ Dense cushioning
⊕ Easy to clean
⊕ Wider than many mats
⊕ Available in extra-long
⊗ Heavy
⊗ Slippery when sweaty

There’s a reason why so many yoga teachers consider the Manduka Pro their go-to mat. Actually, there are several reasons, including the mat’s “dense cushioning,” explained a teacher tester who’s practiced on the Pro for almost a decade. Also, the no-slip dot pattern on the bottom ensures the mat doesn’t wrinkle or slide, no matter how quickly you transition between poses, even as you make your way from Revolved Lunge facing one edge of the mat to Flying Monkey on the other.

A couple testers, including a yoga therapist, asserted that the Pro is supportive of “any type of practice” and that it adequately supports “all bodies.” That includes those with “achy knees,” whether you’re kneeling in , arm balancing in , or reclining in .

In terms of upkeep, the Pro doesn’t absorb sweat, which makes cleaning a cinch. It also makes for a slippery experience if you sweat a lot. Throw down a towel if you’re taking hot yoga, cautioned one vinyasa-taking tester.

Also, the breaking-in process for Manduka mats is somewhat prolonged compared to most mats but worth the patience required. Read the packaging’s fine print on how to flatten those furled edges and tame any initial slickness.

Bonus: Manduka guarantees their mats will last a lifetime and you can choose from 13 colors.


Jade Fusion yoga mat in Raspberry
(Photo: Courtesy Jade)

Best Grip Yoga Mat

Jade Harmony Mat

Material: Natural rubber
Thickness:
4.7mm
Weight: 5 pounds
Dimensions: 68 x 24 inches

Pros and Cons
⊕ Grippy
⊕ Made of natural rubber
⊕ Available in extra-long and extra-wide
⊗ Attracts fuzz and fur
⊗ Tricky to clean
⊗ Not for outdoor use

Compared to other brands of yoga mats, Jade makes a textured surface that offers what one tester described as an “unearthly grip.” “Imagine you had Alien Tape suction cupping your hands and feet to the mat and that’s the grip you’ll experience,” she explained. Another tester who’s practiced on the Harmony mat for years swore, “It’s ideal for my chronically sweaty hands and feet. I never slide. NEVER.”

It pretty much delivers exactly what many of us want in a mat, which is “support, grip, and cushion,” explained a tester who practiced slow, yin, and restorative yoga on the Harmony. Another longtime teacher and student explained the mat has “a well-constructed feel for being relatively thin.” (He also cautions that some students might want a more cushioned foundation.)

Aesthetically speaking, everyone commented not just on its sturdiness and all-purposeness but its lovely and muted “earth colors” and “jewel tones” that are “less nondescript than most yoga mats.” However, that textured surface also holds onto fuzzies, fur, and anything else that’s airborne. It also attracts lint from towels when you wipe it down. A longtime Jade owner suggests you take the mat with you in the shower or hose it down—but only if you can allow several days for it to dry.

Testers also noted that they respect the company’s commitment to planting a tree for each mat sold. As do we.


Yune Natural Rubber Yoga Mat
(Photo: Courtesy Yune)

Best Yoga Mat for Aesthetics

Yune Natural Rubber Yoga Mat

Material: PER (Polymer Environmental Resin)
Thickness:
6mm
Weight: 2 pounds
Dimensions: 72 x 24 inches

Pros and Cons
⊕ Array of color and design options
⊕ Lightweight
⊕ Value
⊗ Modest cushioning

“Typically, when you buy a yoga mat, you’re confronted with a decision—function or fashion,” explained one of our testers who’s a graphic designer and yoga teacher. “Not with this one.” A handstander and arm balancer, the tester found the Yune to be the “perfect thickness” and “impossibly grippy.” She explained that it also “basically adheres to the floor,” which quickly earned her trust.

The grippy and design-savvy mat satisfied more than just arm balancers. Several other testers reported feeling “completely confident” on the Yune while practicing vinyasa. And everyone appreciated how it lies flat immediately out of the packaging and rolls up small for ease of storage as well as lugging it to and from class.

About those designs. Yune makes dozens of expressive patterns that are, according to its website, “printed digitally with UV inks,” which makes for minimal environmental impact. Your artful options include designs for specific astrological signs, contemporary art, even depictions of .


All in Motion PU Natural Rubber Mat 5mm
(Photo: Courtesy All in Motion)

Best Affordable Yoga Mat

All in Motion PU Natural Rubber Mat 5mm

Material: Natural rubber base with polyurethane surface
Thickness: 5mm
Weight: 5.5 pounds
Dimensions:
68 x 24 inches

Pros and Cons
⊕ Super grippy
⊕ Lies flat upon first use
⊕ Rolls up easily
⊕ Price
⊗ Contains polyurethane
⊗ Subtle synthetic smell

This easy-to-find and relatively affordable mat is rated five stars by users on Target.com. After practicing on it, we understand why. Despite its smooth surface, the mat boasts an almost uncannily strong grip. “I like this. I feel like I’m going to stay put,” said one tester who was new to yoga. Comparing it to several other budget mats she’d slid on while learning poses, she blurted out, “There’s no slippage with this [expletive]!”

A 78-year-old tester echoed that feeling of security. She appreciated how the All in Motion “holds you in place” during standing poses and felt like the mat allowed her to “sink in a tad—in a good way.” That grip easily releases as you move on the mat. Although a couple testers report occasional air bubbles beneath the mat when transitioning from pose to pose, the wrinkles dissipated as quickly as they appeared.

Although the mat was less cushioned than some others, according to our nearly octogenarian tester, it was surprisingly adequate for most testers compared to other budget brands. That said, anyone with achy joints or who simply prefers additional cushioning will prefer the thickness of a more expensive mat.

Our primary complaint is the origin of the surface material and its lingering smell the first day or two after removing it from the packaging.


Gaiam Premium 5mm yoga mat
(Photo: Courtesy Gaiam)

Best Yoga Mat for Beginners

Gaiam Premium 5mm


Material:
Latex-free PVC
Thickness:
5mm
Weight: 2.6 pounds
Dimensions: 68 x 24 inches

Pros and Cons
⊕ Super lightweight
⊕ Lifetime guarantee
⊕ Array of color and design options
⊕ Available in extra-long
⊗ Slightly slippery
⊗ Short

Typically, beginners to yoga are in the market for something that isn’t a splurge and helps them feel comfortable. When we asked yoga newbies to try several $30 and under mat options, the unanimous favorite was the Premium 5mm from longtime mat-maker Gaiam.

“Ooooh pretty!” commented a millennial tester as she stepped onto the pale turquoise mat. “And cushy!” She appreciated that she was exponentially more comfortable while learning sitting and kneeling poses than she was on other budget mats. She also felt more supported while wobbling in balancing postures. Our 78-year-old tester also experienced confidence standing and transitioning on the Premium 5mm and considered other mats in that price category to be “too hard” and “too slippery.” It allowed her to “slide a little” but much less so than other comparable mats.

Although it’s not as cushioned or durable as pricier mats, the Premium 5mm offers a respectable thickness and far less slippage for the money. We recommend it for beginners as an affordable option.

Note: There are a dizzying number of Gaiam mats labeled “Premium” with varying characteristics, colors, and designs. Our preference is anything with a 5mm thickness.


Jade Fusion 8mm yoga mat in hunter green
(Photo: Courtesy Jade)

Best Thick Yoga Mat

Jade Yoga Fusion

Material: Natural rubber
Thickness:
8mm
Weight: 7.2 pounds
Dimensions: 24 x 68 inches

Pros and Cons
⊕ Cushioning, cushioning, cushioning
⊕ Grippy
⊕ Made of natural rubber
⊕ Available in extra-long and extra-wide
⊗ Heavy
⊗ Attracts fuzz and fur
⊗ Tricky to clean
⊗ Expensive

Few yoga mats dare to approximate an 8mm thickness—and those that do tend to feel dangerously unstable and more like a mattress than a mat. But everyone who tried the Fusion was surprised that it delivered luxe cushiness in a way that felt both sturdy and supportive. “Frankly, I was shocked that I loved this mat as much as I did,” explained one of our testers, a longtime teacher who switched her loyalty from a different brand after trying it.

For anyone with sore wrists or knees who craves more cushioning, whether during vinyasa or while stretching, this mat is a boon. But it’s not just about the cushiness. Multiple testers also commented on how they appreciated the mat’s support and grip.

We heard very few complaints. One drawback is that with additional material comes additional weight. A yoga and meditation student who considered the Fusion to be “very supportive” also found the mat’s heft to be a chore to roll and unroll as well as transport to the studio. However, he was quite content to practice on it at home, as was his four-and-a-half-year-old daughter, who bounced on it to

The only other quibble we have relates to the mat’s textured surface. With great grip comes painstaking cleaning. “It seems to pick up every piece of dust and lint,” a tester reported. “I felt like it was kind of subtly shaming me for having a dusty house!”


Other Yoga Mats We Like

Manduka PRO Lite
(Photo: Courtesy Manduka)

Manduka Pro Lite

This rendition of the Pro has all the attributes of the classic. There’s just less of it to practice on. The 1.3mm difference in thickness (the Manduka Pro is 6mm thick, the Pro Lite is 4.7mm) makes for a mat that’s less cushioned but easier to both roll and carry. It’s also considerably more affordable.

Liforme Printed
(Photo: Courtesy Liforme)

Liforme Printed

This mat from UK-based Liforme has become the darling of an increasing number of stateside hot yoga students in recent years. The mat has a natural rubber base and grippy but smooth eco-polyurethane surface that’s wider and longer than most competitors. It’s only modestly cushioned at 4mm although one of our testers loved it for practicing vinyasa on carpet at home.

One tester, a longtime hot yoga teacher, explained that “a little sweat can help with the tacky feel and grip” although “heavy sweaters may benefit from a mat towel.” Also, if aesthetics are important to you, know that “the surface can get a little smudged up and can be challenging to maintain that ‘new look.’” Consider yourself forewarned.

Speaking of visuals, testers were divided on the “alignment lines” printed on the mat. Some tester reported them to be helpful in finding proper positioning, while others found them distracting. “As an ‘A’ type, any mats with alignment markings can make me obsessive,” explained one tester.

As far as we’re concerned, the biggest disadvantage of this mat is its price point.


Yoga Mats to Avoid

Don’t race out to buy a yoga mat priced $19 to $30 to save a few bucks. After practicing on many of these in recent months, we can say with certainty that they tend to be exceptionally slippery, lack cushioning, slide on the floor, and wear out relatively quickly where you place your hands and feet. At best, most provide a little padding between you and the floor. Almost without exception, they cause more distraction than they’re worth.


How We Tested

  • Mats tested: 35
  • Testers: 18
  • Weeks of yoga practiced: 4
  • Skinned knees: 1
  • Splinters from natural cork: 1
  • Professions of unabashed love for an inanimate object: 3

We drew on the expertise and opinions of dozens of yoga teachers and students during our testing. First, we interviewed everyone we know who practices yoga about the mats they’ve been in long-term relationships with and why. This helped us understand more about durability, stability, grip, ease of cleaning, and other features that you can only appreciate—or curse—after practicing on a mat for months or years.

We also researched big-name, boutique, and lesser-known mat brands and scoured online reviews from users for close to 200 mats that come in an array of materials, sizes, designs, and price points. Then we narrowed down which mats we felt were top contenders and wanted to test.

Next, we asked 18 students and teachers—including two newbies—to take a twirl on different mats. Our testers ranged from millennials to near-octogenarians, hot yoga goers to yin and restorative regulars, novices to longtime teachers. Some seek comfort in a mat. Others demand grip and stability.

The test mats became part of each person’s regular yoga routine—whether at a studio or home practice space, for hot yoga or restorative yoga—for a minimum of three classes. We did our best to provide each tester with mats that are similar in form and function for comparison. Then we asked our testers questions. Lots and lots of questions.

Testers weren’t shy about letting us know which mats they felt were the most grippy, durable, cushioned, practical, portable, stylish, and affordable. (One tester even texted a photo of a skinned knee and a request not to ask them to practice on that mat again. We acquiesced—and took the mat out of contention.)

We also checked back in with testers long after they turned in their responses to inquire which, if any, of the mats they were still using after the required testing was over.


How to Choose a Yoga Mat

Our advice is the same whether or not you’re new to yoga: Date around.

Don’t buy a mat right away. We know you’re enthused about settling into your practice and that’s terrific. But if you’re still figuring out the types of yoga you like to practice, you don’t yet know what you need in a yoga mat.

Explore Your Options

Pay the mat rental fee at your yoga studio a few times or maybe pick up a used mat for a few bucks at your local thrift store before investing in a brand-new mat. You’ll start to discern which features are important to you—including mat thickness, slickness, grippiness, rollability, portability, and, yes, the color and design. Knowing what matters to you most will be helpful when you do your research and make a purchase.

Also, if you see a mat in class that intrigues you, approach its owner after class and ask them about it. If they gush and insist that you’ll love it, it’s okay to prod a little for specific reasons why. That person may value grip and aesthetics whereas you may be seeking something with extra cushioning that’s easy to clean.

Once you’ve settled on what features matter to you, opt for a modestly priced mat and remind yourself that as your yoga practice changes, what you want in a mat may also change. Trust us when we caution you not to splurge right away.

Consider Your Needs

If you’re someone who walks several city blocks to class lugging your mat, you probably want something fairly lightweight. If you’re the sort of person who tends to put off washing dishes or scrubbing the bathroom floor (no judgment here), you’re better off with a mat that’s super easy to wipe down. If you experience knee or wrist pain, you’re going to want something cushier than budget mats provide. If you’re a heavy sweater (again, no judgment), look for a mat that won’t absorb sweat or become slick when wet.

Our point is that you’re probably not going to change your ways simply because you spent a lot of money on a mat. So rely on that self-awareness you’ve cultivated in your yoga practice and shop accordingly.

Also, watch those expectations. With any yoga mat, you will experience trade-offs. If you value cushioning over grip, the mat you buy may be a little heavy to carry and you may occasionally slip slightly. As you consider the pros and cons, try to set yourself up for the best experience rather than a perfect experience.

Keep looking. The right mat for you is out there.


Meet Our Testers

, yoga teacher trainer and host of

, yin, restorative, somatic flow, and yoga nidra teacher trainer and founder of

, vinyasa yoga teacher and founder of

, hot, vinyasa, and yin yoga teacher and teacher trainer

, longtime student of Ashtanga and vinyasa yoga student and hair stylist

, vinyasa yoga teacher and co-owner of

, yoga therapist, anatomy teacher, and teacher trainer

, yoga therapist, author of , and social media editor at YJ

, yoga and movement teacher, author and app creator, and founder of

, yoga and meditation teacher and creator of the

, longtime student of meditation as well as phys ed teacher

Phoebe Digges-Elliott, yoga teacher and movement enthusiast

, yoga teacher and writer

Jane Schettler, newbie to yoga who likes to stretch in front of the TV

Sara Waits, newbie to yoga who lives in yoga leggings

intermittent yoga student of 25 years and longtime runner

Laura Harold, yoga student and at YJ

, yoga teacher, writer, and f of YJ


Don’t forget to check out as well as the , , and.

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Starbucks Thinks It Can Use Astrology to Discern Your Drink Order. Can It? /food/food-culture/starbucks-star-signs/ Mon, 03 Apr 2023 16:52:31 +0000 /?p=2625156 Starbucks Thinks It Can Use Astrology to Discern Your Drink Order. Can It?

There are limits to what your sign says about you

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Starbucks Thinks It Can Use Astrology to Discern Your Drink Order. Can It?

Who knows you better: Your barista or your birth chart? Starbucks seems to think it’s the latter.

Recently, the world’s largest coffee company released Star Signs, an designed for “matching customers with their perfect Starbucks drink and spring horoscope.” While the chain makes headlines for its , its current focus seems to be a turquoise-tinted user experience with a spinning zodiac wheel.

The company collaborated with the astrology app, Sanctuary, in the creation of the interactive tool. According to a statement released by Starbucks, “Customers will receive a personalized Star Signs Chart that includes their power words, spring color, flower, and Starbucks drink recommendation.”

But is that what customers really want when they consider their caffeine fix?

(Not Quite) Everyone’s a Critic of Star Signs

The answer, it seems, is a resounding no.

We asked thirty-some adults of varying ages, backgrounds, genders, and beliefs (or disbeliefs) about astrology to access the Star Signs promotion. They spun the wheel, selected their sign, and noted whether they were seeking a morning or an afternoon bevvie.

Then they waited. The drink suggestions were
interesting.

Rather than assign an astrological sign to a subtler coffee preference, such as a particular type of roast or bean, Starbucks (perhaps not surprisingly) focused on promoting its signature concoctions.

One astrology-doubting Capricorn declared the recommended iced Americano as reliably accurate.Ìę Four other respondents asserted similar things. As for the rest…

“Not even close! Terrible.”

“I have never nor would I ever order that drink.”

“I don’t need all that sugar! Or pink.”

“Very froufrou. I’m a straight black coffee drinker.”

“Too sweet, too heavy, too much.”

“Utter fail.”

“I’m allergic to pineapple!”

Over and over again, the respondents complained of the suggestions being too sugary. Too pricey. One declared it was downright creepy.

There were also those whose disdain for the signature drink was only slightly less vehement than their objection to a corporation taking advantage of their affinity for astrology.

“Of all the gimmicky campaigns
”

“I love astrology but this is a big ugh to me!”

“Maybe instead of spending development funds creating a new sugar delivery channel they could compensate their employees better.” (Not surprisingly, this person identifies as a Scorpio.)

Still, others described a sense of feeling dramatically misunderstood.

“The drink sounds gross to me. But really, their biggest mistake is thinking it’s a good idea to try to dictate or suggest anything to a Sagittarius! If they know their astrology, they should know better,” stated a Scorpio.

Can Astrology Really Discern Your Desired Coffee Fix?

It’s unlikely. “Ludicrous” is how Los Angeles-based astrologer and writer described the Starbucks promotion. “To reduce the intricate mechanics of astrology to predicting what beverage a given Sun sign would prefer is like suggesting a plastic surgeon could exact which elective procedure you would select based on your hairstyle,” says Seaman.

Astrology, as a science, dates back several millennia and was based on mathematics. According to the ancients, the placement of the planets at the time of your birth can bring about a multitude of awarenesses about yourself.

But astrology is an intricate interplay of your entire birth chart—not just your . That intricacy has largely been overlooked in recent years. Although that’s the sign you check for your horoscope, it cannot capture your complexity (and neither can Starbucks). Instead, it’s indicative of the outward expression of yourself in response to a situation or your attributes that are apparent to others.

In the case of an afternoon drink, your Sun sign might indicate your need for caffeine or sugar or a distraction to propel you through your day. It determines less about the characteristics of your specific selection and more about whether you would order one at all. (Looking at you, Aries, Virgo, and Sag.)

But when it comes to your preferences around food and drinks, your Sun sign falls short. Instead, those choices draw on countless factors, including childhood experiences, geographic and societal influences, affluence, and emotions. The latter is attributed to your . This relates to the characteristics of your inner world, your longings, and your emotional response to what’s happening in the world around you. For example, you may crave something sweet to assuage the craziness of life—or something dark and intense to match your mood.

For better or worse, Taco Bell got this right a couple years ago in a that proposed inspired options for your Sun and your Moon signs. The brilliance of this campaign was perhaps best expressed by the sauce packets. (You know who you are, Moon placements in mild and Diablo sauce.)

Many of our respondents also checked drink selections for their Moon sign. The results were largely disappointing.

“Uuuuuuuuuuuuuugh. No.”

Astrology can offer insights into all aspects of yourself. But maybe the questions you should be asking of it aren’t related to second-guessing your coffee order. Instead, you may just want to trust your intuition—or your barista’s instincts.

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The Unforgettable Lesson from Lady Gaga’s Oscars Performance /health/wellness/lady-gaga-2023-oscars/ Tue, 14 Mar 2023 16:09:55 +0000 /?p=2623183 The Unforgettable Lesson from Lady Gaga’s Oscars Performance

It was a tribute to being human

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The Unforgettable Lesson from Lady Gaga’s Oscars Performance

0Some of us watch the Oscars for the fairytale-like fashions. Many tune in to end the obvious suspense. Maybe a few turn to it for the comedic banter.

Probably no one attends expecting a reminder of what it is to be, well, human. Yet that’s what we all were privy to as we witnessed Lady Gaga’s subdued appearance at the Academy Awards on Sunday evening.

The songwriter, singer, and actress walked the red carpet in Versace and diamonds along with eyeliner artistry and hot red lipstick. Later, Lady Gaga quietly appeared onstage to perform sans make-up, wearing a black t-shirt, ripped black jeans, and Converse. Her tattoos were her most outlandish accoutrement as she sat and delivered a soulful and acoustic rendition of “Hold My Hand,” prefaced with a musing about the need to show up for others as well as yourself in life.

It was a gutsy move to emphasize emotion over glam. To appear almost nakedly herself on a night where is anywhere from $1.5 to $10 million is, quite simply, an exhibition of feminine vulnerability and strength. Cinderella in reverse.

The Moment

Even though the moment seemed to take place with grace and ease, there was considerable thought and effort that went into the making of it. Prior to Sunday, it had been widely reported that Lady Gaga wouldn’t perform at the Oscars due to scheduling conflicts with the filming of the Joker sequel Folie à Deux. “It didn’t feel like she could get a performance to the caliber that she is used to,” said Academy Awards executive producer and showrunner Glenn Weiss in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

That changed late last week. “Thursday, at four-something, we got a text that she wanted to try something, didn’t have time to put together a big performance, but wanted it to be raw and people to see the real Gaga,” said executive producer Ricky Kirshner.

That seems to define the contemporary female we all aspire to be. Knowing her boundaries, needing her space, and making the decision to show up selectively. And on her terms.

That is wellness—staying true to yourself even when it means changing your mind, shattering some people’s idea of who you should be, and perhaps even questioning your sanity as you do so.

The Message

When the cameras unexpectedly cut to Lady Gaga on a darkened stage, she was sitting on a stool accompanied simply by a guitarist, bassist, and drummer. Before playing “Hold My Hand,”

“I think that we all need each other,” she said. “We need a lot of love to walk through this life, and we all need a hero sometimes. There’s heroes all around us, in unassuming places, but you might find that you can be your own hero, even if you feel broken inside.”

The song, which Rolling Stone describes as a “power ballad,” was co-written by Lady Gaga and is featured on the soundtrack for Top Gun: Maverick. Her performance was a tribute to the late Tony Scott, director of the original Top Gun, who died by suicide in 2012. It was nominated for Best Original Song.

Her reiterate the inherent vulnerability of being human. They reassure us that being an individual doesn’t need to mean being isolated. And they remind us that wanting someone to stand alongside you while you face your demons is not a weakness.

The Woman

Whereas some saw an insufficiency in the seeming nothingness between her and her audience, it was everything that was right about the moment. That Lady Gaga, known for her outlandish fashions, slipped into a less ostentatious version of herself as a performer seemed aligned with the solemnity of the tribute.

More importantly, she seemed aligned with herself as a human. She’s someone who detoured on the red carpet Sunday night to help a photographer when he stumbled. Someone who has spoken out about the chronic pain and psychological breakdown she experienced as a result of experiencing sexual assault. Someone who has mentioned on the role plays in her life, citing that it helps her stay calm and feel safe in her body. Someone who has been more and more real in her portrayal of herself so that others might feel compelled to do the same.

“I love authentic people,” said Lady Gaga in an interview for several years ago. When asked what she would say to her followers, she replied, “To my young female fans, I would say, your body belongs to you, your mind belongs to you, your emotions belong to you, and just always be true to yourself.”

And perhaps most revealingly, Lady Gaga expressed that she has “a very emotional reaction to fashion. I like that fashion can both be a form of expression and a form of hiding.”

In a 2020 interview with Oprah, she expressed that creating “Lady Gaga” allowed her “to create a superhero for myself.” Who we saw on stage may not have been Lady Gaga but rather a glimpse at Stefani Germanotta. And that might have been the most appropriate lesson we can take away from Sunday night.

In response to disappointed Oscars watchers voicing their complaints on Instagram, one supporter of Lady Gaga cited her Netflix documentary, .“She expressed that someday she wants to try stripping back the costumes and theatrics, and that she’d hope her fans would appreciate that she’s still the same Gaga without it.”

Another woman silenced further critiques by defending Lady Gaga’s look with a statement as strong and understated as her appearance itself. “This nothing is everything.”

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