14 DAY TRIAL // Lady Gaga kicked off her Monster Ball Tour to rave reviews and packed venues, with almost every show selling out. Yet the singer is not making any money off it, reports in the British media cited by GigWise says. Her outrageous outfits and expensive stage sets have already cost her an estimated $4 million so far and there’s no sign she might stop bleeding money with upcoming shows either.
When speaking about the Monster Ball, Gaga often described it as “ostentatious” and “over the top.” True to her word, the shows proved to be just that: a feast not only for the ears, but also for the eyes, with elaborate stage props and outlandish designer outfits, all of which are meant to shock and create a lasting impression on the concertgoers. It all came at a very high price, though, as estimates say what she makes in ticket sales barely covers what she spends on this extravagance.
“Expensive outfits and stage props, such as an alleged $100,000 giant bathtub, are pushing the overheads up on the North American leg of the jaunt meaning the singer is yet to make any profit. It’s claimed that Gaga’s self-proclaimed ‘ostentatious’ tour has lost almost $4 million so far and it may be some time before she’s in the black,” GigWise writes, citing ongoing reports.
“The gigs are losing money hand over fist because they’ve spent a fortune on pricey costumes, technical equipment and elaborate set designs. She spent £500,000 on one stage alone. But Lady Gaga gets what Lady Gaga wants. Her wardrobe is huge and she wants to shock – and that costs serious money,” an unnamed source, reportedly well familiar with the singer’s financial situation, says for the media.
Her spokesperson, while not downright confirming the rumors, is not denying them either. Lady Gaga invests everything in her live shows, from all her time and best efforts to her money, so it wouldn’t actually be a surprise if she were losing money with the Monster Ball instead of adding more to her fortune, he says.