Lady Gaga Apologizes for 'Retarded' Remark

Singer says it was an "honest mistake"

ByABC News
April 21, 2011, 4:22 PM

April 21, 2011— -- Late Wednesday Lady Gaga apologized for calling the comparisons between her hit song "Born This Way" and Madonna's "Express Yourself" "retarded."

In an interview with NMA, Gaga lashed out at those who accused her of ripping off the pop icon.

"That's retarded," she told NME. "If you put the songs next to each other, side by side, the only similarities are the chord progression. It's the same one that's been in disco music for the last 50 years. Just because I'm the first f***ing artist in 25 years to think of putting it on Top 40 radio, it doesn't mean I'm a plagiarist, it means I'm f***ing smart. Sorry."

Gaga did a quick about-face and released a statement on Wednesday to PerezHilton.com.

"I consider it part of my life's work and music to push the boundaries of love and acceptance. My apologies for not speaking thoughtfully. To anyone that was hurt, please know that it was furiously unintentional. An honest mistake, requires honesty to make," she said.

"Whether life's disabilities, left you outcast bullied or teased, rejoice and love yourself today."

These days, fans can't get enough Gaga, and there is more of her to come. On May 7, HBO will air her Madison Square Garden concert from her Monster Ball tour. And her rep told ABC News Radio on Wednesday that she will perform for the season finale of "Saturday Night Live" on May 21, just two days before her "Born This Way" album is released.