The memo was stern in its brevity: Lady Gaga’s arrival in Dubai on Monday night was strictly confidential and under no circumstances was anyone to mention it on social media.
But someone forgot to tell Gaga.
As she merrily posted photos on Instagram announcing she was leaving London Heathrow on the next leg of her flight, fans were already consulting timetables, scouring the arrivals terminal and mapping out a plan of attack.
They started arriving at Dubai International Airport at 7pm on Monday. By 10pm, there was a crowd of about 30. By the time she finally appeared in public two hours later, the crowd had more than doubled behind a police cordon, with many spontaneously erupting into renditions of GUY and Just Dance.
Before she braved meeting her Little Monsters – many of whom were beside themselves with excitement – Lady Gaga spoke for 10 minutes in the airport’s VIP majlis about her delight at finally making it to Dubai for her concert tonight, her first in the Arabian Gulf.
Dressed in a flesh-coloured and bejewelled sheer jalabiya by an unnamed UAE designer, with a skin-coloured leotard underneath, coupled with a blue sequinned headband and long, platinum-blonde locks, she trod a fine line between revealing and demure.
“I am here for four days,” she said. “I’d like to see as much of Dubai as possible. I have heard amazing things about it and I am really looking forward to seeing my fans. I have had a strong heartache about not being able to be near them.”
But the burning question was whether she would be getting naked on stage during a costume change, as she has done during previous shows on the ArtRAVE: ARTPOP Ball tour.
“No, I will not be,” she said. “I respect the culture here. The show will be appropriate for all the fans here in Dubai. I was told there were some restrictions. I know some artists are very strict about their policies, that they cannot adhere to their art by compromising, but I actually believe it is important to respect other cultures and not force them to adhere to the beliefs of your own country. In fact, it is a better way to connect with the people.
“Most importantly, while I’m here, I would like to leave a message of light, happiness, creativity and freedom with the fans and that is more important than my clothes.” She added that while she was in Dubai she hoped to “support art and creativity” by visiting local fashion designers – some of whom will be involved in working on the wardrobe for her show – listening to regional music and getting a feel for the art scene in the UAE.
She was less forthcoming about rumours that only about half of the tickets for the gig have sold – despite selling out dates in the United Kingdom and United States – and quickly moved on to the next question.
Despite the five-hour wait in 40°C heat, her fans were ecstatic when she spent a few minutes posing for selfies with them and signing CDs and T-shirts before leaving for her hotel in a white SUV.
Khaled Al Najdi, 19, an accounting student, flew in from Kuwait to camp outside the airport majlis for a glimpse of his heroine.
“I love everything about her,” he said. “She will be happy to see us. I have only had two hours’ sleep because I have been so excited, but it will be worth it when we see her.”
The Iranian Milad Ahmadi, 17, was sitting an exam at his school in Dubai the following day – but was given permission to go and see the singer by his mother Mona, 37, who waited in the crowd with him until Lady Gaga came out just after midnight.
His patience paid off when he managed to get a selfie with her – and the singer put the photo on her Instagram page.
“I gave her a drawing I did of her,” he said. “Being here was a priority over my exam. I just love her.”
Salem Al Kathiri, 18, and four of his Emirati friends from Al Dahmaa school – Rashid Al Shamsi, 18, Abdullah Ali, 17, Gaith Saeed, 18, and Ahmed Al Shamsi, 17 – drove from Al Ain to meet their pop idol.
“I will be a Monster for life,” Al Kathiri said. “I love her message, her look, her sound – everything.”
Ali Al Zadjali, 20, was ecstatic after winning a dancing contest in Mall of the Emirates – with the top prize being a meet-and-greet after the concert at Meydan Racecourse – and he was there to give Lady Gaga a preview of his moves.
“I am really looking forward to meeting her and telling her how much I love her,” he said.
He was not alone. One of the airport security staff on duty in the majlis where Lady Gaga was speaking furtively sidled up beside her while his colleague took pictures.
And when one of the Arab journalists asked to take a picture with the star, she instead gamely suggested doing a group selfie à la Ellen DeGeneres at the Oscars.
The love was apparently mutual. Lady Gaga later tweeted pictures of her fans and the private pool in her deluxe hotel suite with the message: “My fans were so sweet at the airport, I was so choked up! What a wonderful welcome from Dubai Monsters. I have been dreaming of coming to the Middle East ... what a privilege to be here.
“I had chills the whole time we were with the fans. I can’t tell you how much it means to be welcome to the Middle East. I hope during this trip I can show my true self, with a message of acceptance, tolerance, a respect for individuals of all cultures.”
Not everyone was impressed, however. Police sergeant Farooq Al Moani, 36, who was keeping an eye on the crowd alongside Lady Gaga’s burly bodyguards to prevent fans from mobbing the star, was nonplussed.
“I have never heard of her and would not recognise her even if I did see her,” he said. “I’ve never heard her music either. I would not say I am a fan.”
• Tickets for Lady Gaga’s show at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai tonight cost Dh495 for general admission, Dh750 for grandstand seating and Dh1,295 for a Golden Circle Pass. Visit www.ticketmaster.ae to book. Doors open at 6pm and the show is scheduled to start at 9pm
artslife@thenational.ae
