Lady Gaga’s Harlequin underperformed commercially, but it still has a chance at a Grammy nomination … [+]
Lady Gaga doesn’t usually miss when it comes to her music career, but even the biggest stars occasionally stumble. Her recent album, Harlequin, was supposed to be a major moment, as it was tied directly to her high-profile role in Joker: Folie à Deux.
Instead, the album arrived with little fanfare, underperformed commercially, and quickly disappeared. But there’s still a chance it could earn a second wind — at least in the form of a Grammy nomination.
Harlequin Was a Commercial Misfire
Released on September 27, 2024, Harlequin saw Gaga diving back into traditional pop and jazz once again. That’s a space where she has already found success, even though she first became famous for her electronic dance tunes.
The set featured covers of classics like “Get Happy,” “I’ve Got the World on a String,” and “That’s Entertainment,” along with a couple of original compositions written for the film. While critics were fairly positive about the album, audiences weren’t as enthusiastic.
The project debuted at No. 20 on the Billboard 200 — an underwhelming showing for someone of Gaga’s stature. Even worse, it failed to produce a single charting hit, and within only a few weeks, it was gone from the ranking entirely.
The underperformance of Harlequin was tied, in part, to the failure of Joker: Folie à Deux, which bombed at the box office instead of becoming a cultural phenomenon.
Lady Gaga’s Next Chapter
Since then, Gaga has moved on. She’s focused her attention on her latest full-length, Mayhem, a return to her darker dance-pop roots. That set arrived on March 7, 2025, and seems like it’s headed right for the top spot on the Billboard 200.
Singles like “Die With a Smile” with Bruno Mars, “Disease,” and “Abracadabra” are getting the kind of attention Harlequin never did. But before she fully closes the door on that chapter, there’s still one last possible win waiting in the wings.
Could Harlequin Score a Grammy Nomination?
Despite its commercial struggles, Harlequin is eligible for the 2026 Grammy Awards, as the eligibility period began on September 1, 2024. The set is a perfect fit for the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album category, where Gaga has already triumphed twice. She won in 2015 for Cheek to Cheek, her first collaboration with the late Tony Bennett, and then again for Love for Sale, their final release together.
In this category, it’s not uncommon for the most famous nominee to end up winning, regardless of how their project was received. Many times, the Recording Academy recognizes big names over lesser-known acts, and Gaga’s reputation alone could carry Harlequin into the competition.
Even if it wasn’t a critical or commercial hit, she remains one of the biggest stars in the world. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to earn a nod – and even a win.
Gaga’s Grammy Focus Will Likely Be on Mayhem
While Harlequin is eligible, it won’t be the album Gaga actively pushes when Grammy nomination season rolls around – at least not in major categories. Instead, she’ll be focused on Mayhem, which has already produced multiple hits and has the potential to compete in major categories like Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, and several song-specific fields.
The dance-pop effort is the kind of record that could land her multiple nominations, whereas Harlequin will likely only be a contender in the traditional pop field – and it might not even earn that nod.
It seems like there’s no reason why Gaga wouldn’t submit Harlequin for consideration. If it is ignored, she can officially move on from that attempt. But if it earns a nomination, it will prove that even when the singer isn’t commercially successful, the music industry still stands behind her.
