The singer also says she had a 'secret Coachella set lined up.'
Lady Gaga has made the “incredibly tough decision” to push back the release of her sixth album, Chromatica, as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic.
In a heartfelt note she shared on Instagram on Tuesday (March 24), Gaga confirmed that Chromatica, which was initially intended for an April 10 debut, has been postponed, as have her residency shows in Las Vegas scheduled through May 11. “While I believe art is one of the strongest things we have to provide joy and healing to each other during times like this,” she wrote, “it just doesn’t feel right to me to release this album with all that is going on with this global pandemic.”
She also revealed that she had an appearance at Coachella in the works, along with several “surprises” coming to usher in her Chromatica era. (The festival has also been postponed and will now take place in September instead of its usual two weekends in April.)
“I had so many fun things planned for us to celebrate together,” she wrote. “I had a secret Coachella set lined up, and a lot of other fun surprises, some of which I’m still planning to share with all of you very soon! Chromatica is still very much on the way and I can’t wait.”
Though Chromatica‘s delay is a massive development for the pop star, she spends the majority of her statement stressing the severity of the coronavirus pandemic, and encourages her fans to take the necessary precautions, practice social distancing and stay home.
“I prefer that we spend this time focusing on finding solutions,” she wrote. “It’s important to me that the attention is on getting essential medical equipment to healthcare professionals, making sure kids who depend on public schools for meals get the assistance they need, and that we help those who will be financially impacted by this pandemic.”
Read Gaga’s announcement in full below.