Lady Gaga emails fan to praise anti-bullying campaign
Lady Gaga has surprised one of her Canadian fans by recording a personal video message in support of his campaign against school bullies.
The pop star emailed 17-year-old Jacques St Pierre, praising his efforts to “spread tolerance” by asking pupils to make pledges against bullying.
“It is important that we push the boundaries of love and acceptance,” she said in the video.
The pop star has long been an advocate for anti-bullying laws.
She addressed President Obama on the issue earlier this year, highlighting the case of 14-year-old Jamey Rodemeyer, a US student who took his life after being taunted at school.
This month, she announced the formation of a not-for-profit organisation to tackle issues of bullying and abandonment.
In her video message to Jacques, she reiterated: “I’m going to be working as hard as I can to make bullying a hate crime”.
Speaking to Toronto’s CBC News, the teenager said he had not been expecting a direct email from the pop star.
“The subject line said ‘To Jacques from Lady Gaga,’” he told the broadcaster.
“It said ‘click on the link below to download the video for your assembly’.
“I watched it and I started crying. I’m a huge fan. It’s kind of embarrassing because I love her so much. I couldn’t believe it.”