Fan report: How our editor met Lady Gaga

Today Lady Gaga is back from her artistic break with her single "Perfect Illusion". Yesterday she was in Berlin for a conference and our editor Michel Imhof met her - as a fan.

Ever since I saw Lady Gaga as the support act for the Pussycat Dolls at the Hallenstadion in 2009, she has been my number one. I've been to every Swiss concert with the exception of the jazz concert in Montreux - which I saw in Copenhagen. I waited hours outside the concert halls to sit in the front row. And yet it was never enough for a photo.

The plan was for me to take a week's vacation in Berlin yesterday, Thursday. But when Lady Gaga quickly revealed on Snapchat on Wednesday that she was also on her way to the German capital, my goal for Thursday was clear to me: I want to see Lady Gaga!

My plane landed at 12:10 noon and with a short stopover at a friend's apartment, I traveled to the Mercedes-Benz Arena, where the annual conference of the Universal record label was taking place. The guests included Emeli Sandé, Sting, Tim Bendzko, Andreas Gabalier and Lady Gaga.

When I arrive at the hall at around 1:30 pm, I immediately meet a friend who tells me that I'm in luck: According to an informant, Lady Gaga had left the hotel at that very moment and was on her way to us. In a Mercedes S-Class, of course.

After a little over an hour, she actually arrives. Fans line up at the barriers. The newly crowned Queen of Pop steps out of the limousine.

Gaga is at her best: she takes time for every fan, talks, kisses, signs autographs and even lets them take selfies with her. When she arrives at the beginning of the third third of the row, she is ready for a photo.

I couldn't say much though, I was surprised myself that I was more excited than I thought I would be and even got totally giddy. So this must be how the 14-year-old girls who are regularly pulled out of the front row at Justin Bieber concerts feel.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKGKFiWA1mU/?taken-by=mueschl

So my goal, my long-standing goal, was actually fulfilled. But many fans still decided to stay: If Gaga goes in, she has to come out at some point. This takes longer than expected: she tells the conference guests about her new single and presents it - as an exclusive world premiere - to the guests. After the prelistening, InTouch writes: "It's a cracker, fast, danceable, rocks and full of energy. The song is definitely going to No. 1 and will stay there for a few weeks."

The premiere is followed by interviews with the German press. Meanwhile, a member of the German Gaga promo team comes up to us and reveals that Lady Gaga said after her arrival in the hall: "Fuck, I really have the best fans!"

After several minutes in the blazing sun, Lady Gaga leaves the hall at around 6 pm and takes her time again to fulfill the wishes of her fans. I was - of course - right at the front again. And get another autograph on my cell phone.

It's a magical moment when a 20-year-old woman asks for Lady Gaga's autograph on her tattooed wrist. She is so moved she can hardly speak, tells the singer that she saved her life and points to the scars on her forearm.

But Lady Gaga wouldn't be Lady Gaga if she couldn't take it in her stride. She takes off her glasses, hugs the young woman and gives her a kiss. She believes in her and she is perfect, she says to her and at the same time points to her own forearm, where wounds can also be seen. A very emotional and intimate moment. The young woman still can't believe it minutes later.

After more selfies, autographs and conversations, the pop star continues on to the airport. There she has more promotional appointments for the new single this Friday.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKGfmWTAAvC/

Conclusion: Lady Gaga is there for her fans - and, at least on this day, took time for every single fan present. I will remember this experience for a very long time.

Lady Gaga's new single "Perfect Illusion" is now available for download and will be available in stores a week from Friday morning (September 16).