Tribute to Malta and Michael Jackson

It was impossible to determine whether Lady Gaga had a Poker Face or Brown Eyes yesterday afternoon, when the eccentric performer turned up in a black mask which she claimed was a "contemporary art piece by a designer friend" that she loves.

"It's just a hat," she said nonchalantly, in the belief that she would be recognised by her backside and beckoning photographers to shoot it as she wiggled out of the room. Muffling through her mask, the singer/songwriter did not leave her flair for theatrics behind either - her answers and gestures were a performance in themselves.

Although she already had a hit when she performed at the Isle of MTV concert last year, she was not too well known and has come a long way since. "It's been a remarkable year. I've been very blessed," said the entertainer and exhibitionist, who lives and breathes music.

"Malta has a very special place in my heart."

The message in Lady Gaga's music is to "make my fans feel good about themselves. My music is not egocentric for me, but for them."

Having grown up singing Michael Jackson's songs, her intense comment on his demise was: "I do not know what world I am making music in anymore without him!"

Lady Gaga does not prioritise life the same way others do, she said, explaining that she has always lived in "solitude, loyalty and commitment" to her work, which was inspired by everything - from her favourite book, Letters to a Young Poet, to Helmut Newton's photos, fashion, moonlight, sex, pornography and slasher movies.

Her dark and morbid side mingles with a sense of humour: her perfect partner would be... Beethoven; and clad in a little, black number and heavy-duty, patent-leather booties, she said her image was inspired by the Grim Reaper.

As regards her favourite designer, that was a dangerous question. "I appreciate a life devoted to fashion. At the moment, however, I have a strong obsession with clothing found in sex shops - which incidentally is designed by gay men."

Lady Gaga was surprised when someone called her provocative. "Do you think so," she retorted.

"I'm growing up in front of all of you and who's to say what I'll be next," she said, likening herself to Andy Warhol in his early days.