Lady Gaga pauses Tokyo Mayhem Ball concert to condemn ICE

During a Mayhem Ball concert in Tokyo, pop icon Lady Gaga paused her performance to speak directly to her audience about what she described as an urgent humanitarian issue in the United States, condemning actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and expressing solidarity with affected families and communities.

While performing at the Tokyo Dome as part of her global Mayhem Ball tour, Gaga set aside the show’s setlist to deliver a heartfelt address that focused on recent ICE raids and their impact on immigrants and families. She said she was speaking from the heart for “people all over the world and especially in America right now,” and described her “heart aching” for children, families, and entire communities that, in her view, are facing fear and instability because of aggressive immigration enforcement.

Gaga specifically referenced ongoing events in Minnesota and the sense of fear gripping families there. She urged her audience to stand with those affected and emphasized that, even though her concert was taking place outside the United States, her support for vulnerable communities remained steadfast. She noted that when communities lose their “sense of safety and belonging,” it affects all of society.

In her remarks, the singer stressed the need for national leadership to pursue policies rooted in compassion, safety, and accountability. “Good people shouldn’t have to fight so hard and risk their lives for well‑being and respect,” she told fans, adding that she hoped leaders would listen to calls for swift changes in policy. To underscore her message of hope, she dedicated her song Come to Mama to those “who are suffering” or feeling alone during these difficult times.

The speech came amid Gaga’s extended Mayhem Ball tour, which spans multiple continents and showcases material from her 2025 album Mayhem alongside classic hits from her career. The Tokyo shows represent some of the final dates of the tour, which has been noted for its theatrical staging and high production value.

Gaga’s public condemnation of ICE continues a recent trend of high-profile artists using their platforms to comment on social and political issues affecting communities in the United States.