Lady Gaga earned an Emmy nomination for "The Dead Dance," the song she performed for Netflix's "Wednesday" series. The track competes in the Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics category at the 2026 Emmy Awards.
Gaga's contribution to the Tim Burton-directed show arrives as the pop star continues expanding her work across film and television. "Wednesday," which premiered in 2022, became a cultural phenomenon and launched the careers of its young cast while attracting A-list talent for original music. The series centers on the Addams Family's sardonic daughter navigating Nevermore Academy, a setting that invited composers to explore gothic and dark musical themes.
"The Dead Dance" sits among other original compositions competing for Emmy recognition. The nomination reflects the streaming era's investment in securing marquee artists for series music, following the model established by shows like "Stranger Things" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." Netflix has particularly leaned into this strategy, commissioning established musicians to create signature songs that enhance the show's aesthetic and generate additional promotional buzz.
For Gaga, the nod extends a pattern of crossover success. She has earned multiple Grammy Awards, an Oscar nomination for "A Star Is Born," and received critical acclaim for her dramatic acting work. The Emmy nomination adds another major award category to her resume, positioning her among entertainment's most decorated performers. Her involvement with "Wednesday" underscores how prestige television now functions as a platform for major musical talent, rather than an afterthought in an artist's career.
The 2026 Emmy Awards will determine whether "The Dead Dance" takes home the prize. Regardless, the nomination demonstrates streaming platforms' continued commitment to luring top-tier talent into television production, blurring traditional boundaries between music and visual media.