00:00The gift of knowing that things can change and you can still be magnificent.
00:07On Sunday's episode of 60 Minutes, Lady Gaga spoke with Anderson Cooper
00:10about recently performing with Tony Bennett, who's battling an Alzheimer's diagnosis,
00:15and the emotional moment he said her name.
00:18Gaga joined Bennett, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2016,
00:21on stage in August for two shows at the Radio City Music Hall
00:25in honor of his 95th birthday and possibly his last time performing to a crowd.
00:30Bennett and Gaga released an album in 2014 titled
00:33Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, Cheek to Cheek Live.
00:37In her sit down with Cooper, Gaga said that during the rehearsals leading up to the shows,
00:41she wasn't sure that Bennett, due to his memory loss, remembered her by her name.
00:45The first couple of weeks that I saw Tony since COVID, he called me sweetheart.
00:50Born This Way singer explained that in rehearsals, she found new ways to connect with Bennett,
00:55by asking simple questions and songs for the legendary crooner to sing.
00:59When that music comes on, it's something happens to him.
01:03He knows exactly what he's doing.
01:05But on the day of the performance, Bennett surprised Gaga in a sentimental moment,
01:09introducing her on stage by her name.
01:11Hey Tony!
01:13Whoa!
01:16Lady Gaga!
01:19Gaga noted that the moment was so special,
01:21she had to keep it together during the sold-out show.
01:24But I'll tell you, when I walked out on that stage and he said,
01:26it's Lady Gaga, my friend saw me, and it was very special.
01:31The singer also told Cooper that Bennett's final performance should not be considered a sad story.
01:37It's emotional.
01:38It's hard to watch somebody change.
01:40She continued,
01:41I think what's been beautiful about this and what's been challenging is to see how it affects him in some ways,
01:46but to see how it doesn't affect his talent.
01:48I think he really pushed through something to give the world the gift of knowing things can change,
01:53and you can still be magnificent.
01:55For more on this story, head to THR.com.
01:57And for the latest entertainment news and coverage, keep watching The Hollywood Reporter News.
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