Lady GaGa has constantly praised her fans for their ongoing support during her ever more stratospheric career, affectionately terming them her "little monsters". Now she looks like she wants to give something back even more lasting, with news that she - along with her mother Cynthia- has opened the Born This Way Foundation. The foundation seeks to help young people suffering from a variety of issues.
"My mother and I have initiated a passion project. We call it the Born This Way Foundation," Gaga said in a statement "Together we hope to establish a standard of Bravery and Kindness, as well as a community worldwide that protects and nurtures others in the face of bullying and abandonment." Noble sentiments indeed, and MTV.com reports that the statement went into further specifics, explaining that the foundation would focus on "youth empowerment and equality by addressing issues like self-confidence, well-being, anti-bullying, mentoring and career development and will utilize digital mobilization as one of the means to create positive change."
The 25 year-old is a long term advocate against bullying, not least owing to the tragic death of 14 year-old and Gaga fan Jamey Rodemeyer earlier this year. Upon hearing the news of that in September, the star tweeted "The past days I've spent reflecting, crying, and yelling. I have so much anger. It is hard to feel love when cruelty takes someone's life." Gaga recently went to India to perform at the country's inaugural Formula 1 event; as usual the event was not without controversy as animal rights group Peta asked her to wear a dress made of lettuce to redress her infamous meat dress - the request was ultimately ignored.