Lady Gaga grew up in a “safe environment” where she was allowed to “express [her] individuality”.
The songstress has seen her international status catapult since the release of her debut album The Fame in 2008. Before becoming a superstar, Gaga struggled with teenage insecurities and issues, including bullying and bulimia.
The singer’s mother Cynthia Germanotta says her family worked at staying "involved and aware" throughout Gaga’s childhood.
"What we did with her, and actually with both of our daughters, is create an environment where they [felt] safe and able to express their own individuality," she told USA Today.
Cynthia and Gaga co-founded the non-profit Born This Way Foundation which will officially launch today at an event at Harvard University.
The pair are keen to address bullying, self-confidence and other issues that plague the youth of today
“[The goal is] youth empowerment and building a kinder and braver society," Cynthia revealed.
"I have seen my daughter… go through a lot of the struggles that other youth have gone through, so I identify very much with that as a parent.”
Cynthia and her husband Joseph Germanotta also have a 19-year-old daughter called Natali together.
