Lady Gaga - Stephanie Joan Angelina Germanotta (March 28, 1986 -) is an American singer, songwriter and actress, known by her stage name Lady Gaga. Currently co-chairman of the President's Council on the Arts and Humanities. Known for her diverse visual and musical work, Gaga began her acting career as a teenager performing in bars and performing in school plays. She studied at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts' 21 Cooperative Arts Program before dropping out to pursue a career in music. After her contract with Def Jam Records was terminated, Gaga began working as a songwriter for Sony/ATV Music Publishing. In 2007, with Akon's help, she signed a joint contract with Akon's record label KonLive Distribution and New Vision Records. She rose to prominence the following year with her electronically styled debut album "The Hit" and the hit singles "Just Dance" and "Poker Face"; the album was later re-released and included in the mini-album "The Hit" " (2009), the singles "Roman Dies", "Telephone" and "Alessandro" were also successful.