Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn Inspired by Charles Manson Followers

Lady Gaga’s portrayal of Harley Quinn in “Joker: Folie à Deux” is reportedly inspired by the followers of Charles Manson, according to director Todd Phillips.

Speaking to Empire Magazine, Phillips shared insights into Gaga’s unique approach to the character. Harley Quinn has been previously portrayed by Margot Robbie in 2016’s Suicide Squad, its spin-off Birds of Prey, and the 2021 reboot The Suicide Squad.

Gaga’s version aims to offer a distinct interpretation of Quinn. Phillips noted, “While there are some things that people would find familiar in her, it’s really Gaga’s own interpretation, and Scott [Silver, co-writer] and my interpretation.”

Phillips further explained the inspiration, “She became the way how [Charles] Manson had girls that idolized him. The way that sometimes these [imprisoned murderers] have people that look up to them. There are things about Harley in the movie that were taken from the comic books, but we took it and molded it to the way we wanted it to be.”

Gaga also discussed transforming her singing voice for the role. “People know me by my stage name, Lady Gaga, right? That’s me as that performer, but that is not what this movie is; I’m playing a character,” she explained to Empire.

“So I worked a lot on the way that I sang to come from Lee and to not come from me as a performer,” she added, emphasizing the depth of her preparation.

Joker: Folie à Deux will follow Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck/Joker meeting a music therapist while incarcerated at Arkham State Hospital. The therapist and Fleck fall in love, leading to a doomed romantic adventure following his release.

Earlier this month, Folie à Deux’s casting director Francine Maisler praised Gaga’s performance, stating that her portrayal of Harley will “blow your mind” and expressed surprise at how well the singer kept pace with Phoenix during filming.