Do What U Want Video Scandal

After performing "Do What You Want" with R. Kelly on the 2013 American Music Awards, it seemed logical that DWUW would be Gaga's next single. Terry Richardson, who also produced Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus, worked with Gaga and Kelly to record the music video in September 2013, set to release in December 2013. In January 2014, Lady Gaga posted this explanation on littlemonsters.com:

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine joked that he does nude photography, but 'not in a Terry Richardson kind of way' and I could only think of the hardcover photo book of Lady Gaga x Terry Richardson that has been on my bookshelf for years. But while aimlessly browsing the internet a few days ago, I stumbled on this article by Jenna Sauers entitled "Meet Terry Richardson, The World's Most F--ked Up Fashion Photographer" and it caught my attention. A further look revealed that while it may be new to me, Terry Richardson being accused of sexual abuse isn't news. The very next day, another article popped up in my newsfeed. New York Magazine published "Is Terry Richardson an Artist or Predator?" on June 15, 2014.

The title alone sparked controversy. In response to the article, Jamie Peck, who is mentioned in the Sauers article, wrote "Take it from someone he abused: Terry Richardson is a predator with a camera." The article also sparked a more in depth look on why Gaga had decided to pull the DWUW video. Only 4 days after the Artist or Predator article, TMZ posted this clip of "Do What You Want" that was 'scrapped'.

Vastly differing in why the video remains unreleased, Page Six reported a source said "Gaga had a video directed by an alleged sexual predator, starring another sexual predator. With the theme, ‘I’m going to do whatever I want with your body’? It was literally an ad for rape.” and US Magazine reported an insider said "The truth is, Gaga herself didn't like it. She didn't love how it turned out and wouldn't let the label release it."

Was the Change.org Petition to stop using Terry Richardson posted in October 2013 enough to not release the video or was it because of the Village Voice article "Read the "Stomach-Churning" Sexual Assault Accusations Against R. Kelly in Full" released in December 2013? Or did Mother Monster really feel the creative process was rushed, and the final product not good enough for her beloved Little Monsters?

The 33 second clip posted by TMZ may be a compilation of every screen shot in the entire video that could be considered "graphic" or it may be "an ad for rape" but one thing is for sure: New York Magazine wants to keep the hit count high and will feature Terry Richardson is his own cover story titled "The Perverse Case of Terry Richardson", as more models are coming forward to share their stories of abuse.