(REUTERS – 3RD MAY) Lady Gaga fans took part in a look-alike contest ahead of the first of her four sell-out shows in Hong Kong.
A 23-year-old film student, Pink Kwok, won the contest after working on her outfit, made up of miscellaneous items, for five days and said Gaga’s work ethic inspired her.
“Because she works real hard for her fans and I respect her attitude on performance, on make-up and fashion, which is very professional. Yeah,” said Kwok.
Lady Gaga, 26, is on the Asian leg of her The Born This Way Ball, a touring juggernaut encompassing 110 dates.
The tour, featuring elaborate sets designed by in-house team Haus of Gaga, follows up on the success of her album “Born This Way”, which has sold nearly six million copies world-wide since it was released in May 2011.
Tickets for Lady Gaga’s shows in Hong Kong sold out within hours, with three extra dates shows added at the 14,000-seater Asia World-Expo venue after fans queued for days for tickets.
The performer, real name Stefani Germanotta, is known for her provocative videos, outlandish outfits and eccentric mannerisms.
“Yeah, she’s a risk-taker and she likes to try things which are new”, said Gaga fan Lucy.
“I think its good for teenagers now. Adults aren’t really brave to try things,” said 13-year-old Emily who like Lucy was donning colourful wigs.
“She’s just really cool and she seems really friendly she seems like a really nice person. And we like her songs a lot,” said 13-year-old Meryl who was there with her friend Perlie and their two mothers.
But amid the hype, Gaga has met a stream of protests from more devoutly religious and conservative Asian countries who do not approve of the sexually ambiguous antics of the scantily-clad US performer.
However Perlie’s mother, Yolanda Toor, said that Lady Gaga’s positive self-image was a good example to young people.
“I do think she’s a good role model, of course she’s extreme. But I do like she does what she wants to do, and that’s what we want to teach our daughters, to be themselves and do what they want to do in life,” said Toor.
Gaga took to her Twitter earlier in the day to share her enthusiasm.
“Hong Kong show tonight! So much to do, working away like a busy bee. Ready to tear the face off this city,” she tweeted.