'Bad romance' with overwork | Lady Gaga worked whilst suffering from COVID, setting a terrible example for today's workforce

Pop star turned actress Lady Gaga is undoubtedly an influential powerhouse, with a work ethic to match. Flitting between starring in hit movies and penning iconic songs, she’s no stranger to the grindstone.

However, for all that the star is a beacon of productivity inspiration, recently she made a move that sparked controversy for the wrong reasons. During a recent HBO Q&A, she confirmed that she performed five shows while sick with Covid-19.

While some fans applauded her unwavering dedication and physical stamina, others were rightfully appalled by her decision to put her colleagues and crew at risk of infection.

And whilst Lady Gaga is admittedly in a very small percentage of professionals who have to decide between isolating from others whilst ill and potentially rescheduling concerts to thousands of fans, the incident does still highlight a broader societal issue - the troubling persistence of hustle culture and the alarming normalisation of working while sick.