Stephanie Mills and Lady Gaga are at the center of this week's biggest celebrity-news story, following Mills' appearance on the October 15, 2026 episode of BET's The Jason Lee Show. According to reports from EW, Parade, Mandatory and Baller Alert, the R&B and Broadway legend called Gaga a "culture vulture" and said the pop star owes her an apology over an incident that happened years ago. For more on the pop star, read our Lady Gaga biography.
According to reports, Mills' managers asked her to surprise Gaga at a New York fashion shoot by singing "Home" - said to be Gaga's favorite song. Mills said she initially refused but was talked into it, only for Gaga's reaction to fall flat. "She didn't smile. She didn't do anything. She looked at me like I had two heads," Mills recalled, according to EW. Mills originated the role of Dorothy in the original 1975 Broadway production of The Wiz, and "Home" appeared on her 1989 album.
Mills also claimed she received no money for the performance; according to EW, the trade-off was a fashion-shoot photo session for Mills. She further alleged that, while leaving, Gaga's team demanded she and her party delete all photos before being allowed to go - a move host Jason Lee called "very disrespectful." It should be stressed that these are Mills' claims as reported by outlets: Gaga's representatives did not immediately respond to EW's request for comment, and the exact date of the incident remains unconfirmed - Mills has only said it happened "years ago."
Story Facts
Show: The Jason Lee Show (BET)
Air Date: October 15, 2026
Singer: Stephanie Mills
Song Involved: "Home" - from The Wiz and Mills' 1989 album
The Claim: Mills called Lady Gaga a "culture vulture" and said Gaga owes her an apology (reported by EW, Parade, Mandatory, Baller Alert)
The Pay Claim: Mills says she was not paid; the trade-off was a fashion-shoot photo session, according to EW
Apology Demand: Mills wants an apology from Lady Gaga over the fashion-shoot incident
Gaga's Response: Gaga's representatives did not immediately respond to EW's request for comment
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Frequently Asked Questions
What did Stephanie Mills say about Lady Gaga?
On the October 15, 2026 episode of BET's The Jason Lee Show, Mills called Lady Gaga a "culture vulture" and said Gaga owes her an apology, according to reports from EW, Parade, Mandatory and Baller Alert.
Why does Mills want an apology?
According to reports, Mills agreed to surprise Gaga at a New York fashion shoot by singing "Home," said to be Gaga's favorite song. Mills recalled that Gaga barely reacted - "She didn't smile. She didn't do anything. She looked at me like I had two heads" - and Mills says she felt disrespected by the treatment that followed.
Was she paid for the performance?
According to EW, Mills says she received no money; the arrangement was a trade-off that gave her a fashion-shoot photo session. She also alleged that Gaga's team demanded her party delete all photos before leaving. These remain reported claims, and Gaga's team has not commented.
What is "Home" and why is it significant to Mills?
"Home" is the signature song of Dorothy in The Wiz. Mills originated the role in the original 1975 Broadway production, and the song appeared on her 1989 album, making it one of her defining songs.
Read more on LatestLyrics.xyz: our Whitney Houston biography, Taylor Swift earns first Songwriters Hall of Fame nomination, and Dionne Warwick cancels Carnegie Hall show.
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