Lady Gaga says hats protect her from the devil

Lady Gaga claims her hats protect her from the devil.

The 'Bad Romance' hitmaker – who is known for her bizarre headpieces – feels much safer when she is able to hide behind a big accessory and thinks they help her deal with fame better.

She said: "The hat is a nice barrier. The bigger the better. For me, it keeps the devil away. I always like when I have a hat big enough to keep people away at pretentious parties. It's protection.

"Everything happened so quickly for me. Suddenly the whole world is watching you and you just want to put a giant hat on to protect yourself."

The outrageous star – whose real name is Stefani Germanotta – also insisted her performing persona is no different to her real-life personality.

She explained in an interview with showstudio.com: "The biggest misconception about me is that I'm a character. Or Gaga is separate from Stefani. We are one and the same, there is no difference.

"I am exactly who I say I am, and exactly who you say I am."

Gaga also spoke about her "responsibility" to lead her fans in a positive way.

She explained: "Particularly with my next album, I'm much more self-aware of my spiritual and leadership connection to my little monsters and the world in the way that any artist is a leader in that way.

"I am very against judging any particular kind of personal people or thing or idea. I think it is very important to be free and full of non-judgment. I guess I would say that is how I religiously and spiritually lead my fans is in that way. I am OK with that responsibility."