Lady Gaga comes under fire for disabled mermaid act

Singer Lady Gaga has come under fire for her mermaid stage act at Sidney's Town Hall. The Mother Monster posed as a disabled mermaid on the stage Down Under on Wednesday, July 13. This performance of Gaga has been criticized by some disability groups.

Lady Gaga was wearing a short cyan wig and was also sporting a black leather tail, buttoned-up top and long veil, but it was not Gaga's costume which drew attention. It's her act of sitting on a wheelchair which infuriated some disability groups. Roman Reed Foundation tweeted, "Dear @ladygaga how about using your celebrity status 2 try 2 get us out of wheelchairs. Instead of cruising one. Cool?!"

Jesse Billauer, the founder of disability group Life Rolls On Foundation, says, "Since this isn't the first time she has used a wheelchair in her performances, I invite her to learn more about the 5.6 million Americans who live with paralysis. I extend a personal invitation to Lady GaGa to attend one of our Life Rolls On events where quadriplegics and paraplegics surf, skate, and snowboard, so she can see how much is possible beyond a wheelchair."

However, in April 2011, Lady Gaga was slammed by disability group for throwing a retarded remark when responding to Madonna comparison. Later, she had apologied for not speaking thoughtfully. She said, "To anyone that was hurt, please know that it was furiously unintentional. An honest mistake, requires honesty to make. Whether life's disabilities left you outcast bullied or teased, rejoice and love yourself today." But the singer has now not responded to any of the critics.