NEW YORK (AP) - Lady Gaga was in the Christmas spirit at Z100’s annual Jingle Ball concert, but her version of “White Christmas” would have made Bing Crosby blush.
Gaga performed a slightly naughty rendition of the holiday classic Friday night as part of her mini-concert at the radio station’s event at Madison Square Garden. Gaga _ sporting tight studded leather pants, matching top and a bare midriff _ gyrated on a set that included antlers, Christmas trees and holiday lights as she performed “White Christmas.”
“So I recently added a couple of lyrics to this song because I think it’s too short. It’s like when you really start to enjoy it it stops. It’s like a really bad orgasm. Merry Christmas New York!” she shouted. Later, she made a suggestive pose as she gave a come hither coo to Santa.
But her performance wasn’t all saucy. She was nostalgic and appreciative as she thanked the radio station for allowing her to be the headliner of this year’s show, which included performances from Kelly Clarkson, Demi Lovato, LMFAO, Pitbull, David Guetta, Foster the People, Hot Chelle Rae and more.
Gaga said her first concert as a young girl growing up in New York City was the Z100 Jingle Ball.
“I worked so hard and when I was 11 … my mom got me tickets to Jingle Bell Ball,” she said.
Gaga opened the Jingle Ball concert three years ago, she said: “I’ll never forget there were a whole lot of superstars and no one knew who the hell I was. … Some people thought I was going to be a one-hit wonder.”
The singer, recently nominated for three Grammys, proved to be otherwise, and sang a few of her best-known songs, including “Telephone,” “Just Dance” and “Edge of Glory.”
She opened her performance by singing between several Christmas trees; later, she performed on a keytar shaped like a Christmas tree, and she ended the night dressed in a hospital gown, re-enacting the theme of her latest video, “Marry the Night.”
A portion of the evening’s proceeds will go to “STOMP Out Bullying,” a program designed to reduce and prevent bullying, a cause close to Gaga’s heart. Earlier this week, she went to the White House to meet with officials about the matter.
“It’s important to keep everybody safe in school,” Gaga told the audience before launching into her inspirational anthem “Born This Way.”
She also told her fans that she was happy to be in New York City during the holidays.
“This city gave birth to me and I will always come home,” she said.
The concert will air Dec. 18 on the Fuse network.
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Nekesa Mumbi Moody is the AP’s music editor. Follow her at https://www.twitter.com/nekesamumbi
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