Gaga's Latest Interview Is Incredibly Moving

I'll admit, I didn't always "get" Lady Gaga. In my defense, the first few years of her fame were peppered with exceedingly eccentric outfits and stunts that I was just mainly confused by. At that time, to me, the hype surrounding her seemed unwarranted. But, she grew, and so did I, and things became a bit more clear. In her latest interview with Billboard, Lady Gaga opens up about her struggle with depression and proves that she has a significant purpose in life. And, quite a noble one at that.

If you, like me, weren't a fan of Gaga in the past, and her impressive stay at American Horror Story: Hotel hasn't swayed her in your favor just yet, perhaps her latest words will. Billboard is shining a light back onto the actress and her activism. They refer to her affecting single, "Till It Happens To You," that brings awareness to sexual assault, but that also, "Draws upon the sexual assault the artist suffered at the age of 19." In addition to that, they focus on her Born This Way Foundation, because it's becoming something even bigger and better. According to the publication,

...The foundation has shifted its focus to peer support and preventive initiatives, including research on youth and mental health in a partnership with the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, and in a forthcoming collaboration with the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which will be announced soon.

If you still, somehow, aren't intrigued by Gaga's selflessness and bravery, you should probably look the woman herself and these inspiring quotes from the interview that prove she's an ideal role model. I'm positive Gaga will make fans out of even her most ardent skeptics with this one:

1. Her Candidness With Her Own Struggles With Depression

"I’ve suffered through depression and anxiety my entire life, I still suffer with it every single day."

2. When She Calls Out Harmful Superficiality

"I just want these kids to know that that depth that they feel as human beings is normal. We were born that way. This modern thing, where everyone is feeling shallow and less connected? That's not human."

3. On Owning Her Star Power And Using It For Good

"Right now, I want to help young kids come together and be friends. If I need to get the president’s attention — whatever I have to do — I’ll do it."

4. On Dealing With Her Own Sexual Assault & How It Relates To "Till It Happens To You"

"The hardest part for me was the self-acceptance. There’s an inability to acknowledge to yourself, 'Not only did this happen, but I’m pretty f—ed up about it.' And nobody knows how you feel. I didn’t tell anyone [about my sexual assault] for years — and I didn’t tell anyone for years because I didn’t tell myself for years. And my soul just burnt out until it was gone. And then you have to admit you were in pain, and that you died in a way, but you are in control to bring it back, and there are people in the world who’ll help you."

5. On The "Social Responsibility" That Lies Beneath Her Eccentricity

"Even if my work is sometimes shocking, there’s always a message behind it."

6. On Her Feelings About The Foundation

"This is my life purpose, this foundation. This is why I was brought to life, I think."

7. On Maturing As A Person And Artist

"I haven’t changed. It’s just that I’m almost 30. I’m learning how to function effectively in society."

8. On The "Till It Happens To You" Mantra

"We don’t have to be victims. If we share our stories and stick together, we’re stronger."

There you have it, guys. Gaga is good and is doing good, and there's not much more you can ask from a role model, is there? Let's put it this way, she's sure made a fan and believer out of me.