Deviating from her usual extravagant style and over the top make-up, the Born This Way singer has been sporting raven locks with minimal slap, along with a brand new septum piercing.
But far from being just an image change, friends allege that 'she has completely lost her mind' and convinced herself that she is the mandating performed she plays on stage.
It is like she is living her entire life in this alternate universe that she has created
'Nobody calls her Stefani' said the pal. 'Even her mum calls her Gaga. It is like she is living her entire life in this alternate universe that she has created.'
In her alternate universe, Gaga believes she can have any man she wants - and supposedly re-enacts her onstage performances inside the bedroom.
Gaga was recently criticised by ex-friend and fellow artist Lana Del Rey, who made a scathing reference to the singer in a track from her latest album, entitled So Legit.
The lyric reads: 'You're looking like a man, you're talking like a baby, How the f*** is your song in a Coke commercial, crazy?'