AceShowbiz - In a powerful acceptance speech at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards, Lady Gaga, honored with the Innovator Award, addressed the pervasive ageism in the pop music industry.

The New York-bred artist, who is also engaged to Michael Polansky, confessed, "I don't know totally how to think about this because winning an award honoring my entire career at 38-years-old is a hard thing to get my head around."

"On the one hand, I feel like I've been doing this forever and on the other hand, I know I'm just getting started," she went on. "So even though the world might consider a woman in her late thirties old for a pop star, which is insane, I promise that I'm just getting warmed up."

Gaga's speech was a stirring blend of gratitude and defiance. She expressed thanks to her fellow artist Doechii, who presented the award, calling her "an innovator already."

Gaga highlighted that true innovation stems from authenticity, stating, "Innovation isn't about breaking rules; it's about writing your own and convincing the world they were theirs all along."

She recalled some of her most iconic moments, like her egg entrance at the Grammys and releasing a controversial anthem that ultimately gained global acclaim. "If I have learned anything in three decades I've been at this, it's that the most powerful innovation is your authenticity," she affirmed.

The star paid tribute to her Italian-American grandmothers, whom she described as "fiercely brilliant" women who "reinvented their destinies with nothing but strength, dreams, and determination."

Gaga extended her gratitude to her fans, known as "little monsters," and acknowledged the LGBTQ+ community's unwavering support. "To the LGBTQ+ community, you taught me bravery before the world was ready to listen. You have changed the world for the better, and your courage fuels mine every day," she emotionally said.

Furthermore, Gaga offered an inspiring message to artists who feel marginalized, "To every artist who has ever been told they're 'different,' 'complicated' or 'too much,' please, never change. Break the mold. The world doesn't need another copy, it desperately needs your original."

Fashion-wise, Gaga didn't disappoint, showcasing two striking looks for the event. She started the evening in a ruched, black, mini dress with shoulder pads, transitioning later to a vivid red dress with a tiered, ruffled collar and bell sleeves.

Lady Gaga's seventh album, "Mayhem," released on March 7, stands as a testament to her enduring spirit and her unyielding quest for authenticity.