By Patrick Hedlund
DNAinfo News Editor
MANHATTAN — Pop supernova Lady Gaga's early years as an up-and-coming artist on the Lower East Side provided the storyline for a pre-Grammys "60 Minutes" segment Sunday.
The Upper West Side native — who made a grand entrance at the awards show before snagging two Grammys herself — toured her former digs last month with interviewer Anderson Cooper for the story, paying a visit her onetime apartment on Stanton Street.
With a film crew in tow, Lady Gaga tried to get inside her old studio apartment — mashing all the buttons on the building's intercom to gain entry — but was ultimately turned away by the current tenant.
She also described in the interview her struggles with insecurity growing up, and how she was able to gain confidence by creating the Lady Gaga alter-ego.
"I was able to leave such a massive amount of insecurities behind me by getting rid of that name in a way," said Gaga, born Stefani Germanotta. "I wish I could give that gift to all my fans — that you have the freedom to pull that superstar out of yourself that you were born to be."
Lady Gaga created a stir on the Lower East Side during her interview with Cooper last month, when she appeared walking the streets in a flamboyant outfit.
