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Lady Gaga is encouraging compassion and empathy at a time she believes many people are struggling.
The 39 year old Grammy winner recently recorded a cover of Mister Rogers' iconic theme song, "Won't You Be My Neighbor?", for a Rocket and Redfin commercial set to air during Super Bowl LX. In an email interview with PEOPLE, Gaga shared that the message behind the song feels especially meaningful right now.
The theme from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood brings back some of her earliest childhood memories. Gaga recalled watching the show as a young girl and feeling comforted by Fred Rogers' presence. She said he had a rare ability to make people feel worthy simply by being themselves, adding that this sense of unconditional acceptance left a lasting impression on her.
When Rocket, Redfin and Fred Rogers Productions approached her about reimagining the song, Gaga said she felt deeply honored. She explained that Rogers stood for kindness and inclusion during a time when those values were not always widely embraced. According to Gaga, that message has only become more relevant as the world faces growing uncertainty and division.
She approached the recording with care, aiming to balance hope with honesty. Working alongside Alex Smith and Benjamin Rice at Shangri La Studios in Los Angeles, Gaga focused on keeping the arrangement simple while reflecting the emotional weight of the current moment. She said she wanted her delivery to feel sincere and optimistic, while still acknowledging the tension many people are feeling.
Gaga noted that the central question of the song remains powerful: will you show up for the people around you? She believes it is something everyone should reflect on right now.
Growing up in New York City also shaped her understanding of community. Gaga described being raised in a diverse neighborhood where belonging meant showing up for one another, not sharing the same background. She credited her parents, Cynthia and Joseph, for instilling those values, explaining that neighbors looked out for each other and that sense of responsibility stayed with her.
Advocating for marginalized communities has long been part of Gaga's work, and she feels it is especially important in the current climate. She said fear and uncertainty can cause people to forget how impactful small acts of kindness can be. Through the Born This Way Foundation, which she founded with her mother, Gaga has emphasized that kindness requires courage and intention.
She acknowledged that many communities across the United States are experiencing pain, isolation and fear. In her view, the only meaningful response is love and connection. Gaga described kindness as a resource that never runs out and urged people to choose it daily.
The Rocket and Redfin commercial featuring Gaga will air during Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8, with additional interactive opportunities available through the Redfin app immediately after the broadcast.
