Lady Gaga was given the Innovator Award at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards and addressed ageism in the music industry in her speech

Lady Gaga gave a pointed speech at the iHeartRadio Music Awards as she accepted the Innovator Award.

The star took the stage on Monday, March 17 after Dochii gave an emotional introduction that Lady Gaga said she was “really deeply touched” hearing. “I don’t know totally how to think about this,” Lady Gaga said, “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 but on the other hand I know I’m just getting started,” she added. The star noted the ageism in the music industry as well, adding: “Even though the world might consider a woman in her late 30s old for a popstar, which is insane, I promise that I’m just getting warmed up.”

Fans on X, formally known as Twitter, praised Gaga for her openness about her age and the ageism in the industry. “Lady Gaga speaking the truth about ageism in the entertainment industry #iHeartAwards2025,” one person wrote.

Lady Gaga won the Innovator Award (Image:

Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
“What a class act,” another said about the singer. A third noted: “Wow, just wow. what a beautiful speech. i can’t even put into words how much i love this woman.”

Gaga gave a shoutout to her fans, the Little Monsters, and her idols like the late Tony Bennet and David Bowie. She also addressed the LGBTQ+ community, saying: “You taught me about courage before the world was ready to hear about it. You have changed the world for the better and your bravery fills my world every day.”

LL Cool J returned as host for the second time since 2022. Rap rivals Drake and Kendrick Lamar are up against each other in the Hip Hop Song of the Year category for Drake’s Rich Baby Daddy feat Sexyy Red and Kendrick’s Grammy-winning diss track They Not Like Us as well as for Hip-Hop Artist of the Year.

In November, Drake settled his legal dispute against the award show’s parent company iHeartMedia in which he alleged that it received illegal payments from Universal Music Group to boost radio airplay for They Not Like Us. He has not been confirmed to appear on Monday night.

The show will feature live performances by Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish, GloRilla, Gracie Abrams, Kenny Chesney, Muni Long, and Nelly, among others, and a taped performance from Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.

Beyoncé is notably not nominated for a single award despite being presented with the 2024 iHeartRadio Innovator Award last year and winning the Album of the Year at the Grammys for Cowboy Carter earlier this year.