By Amy Zimmer
DNAinfo News Editor
MANHATTAN — Lady Gaga greeted her "Little monsters" at her Best Buy album launch Monday dressed in head-to-toe black bondage.
The pop star, sporting ripped fishnet stockings, leather boots and peroxide blond hair, launched her new album, "Born This Way", at the Union Square store where some fans had waited since Saturday for Gaga's appearance.
Lady Gaga greeted fans and signed their memorabilia. As part of Gaga's promotion, Best Buy put her album on sale for $7.99 while Amazon sold the MP3 for $0.99.
At the in-store event, fans jostled to be among the first 50 people to buy a cellphone at the store on Sunday morning, receiving a free copy of Gaga's new "Born This Way" album and a chance to get an autograph at the store's event.
"We slept on the street in the rain and cold, but it was worth it," said Akira Matteo, 20, who came up from Washington, D.C., on Sunday night for the chance see the pop goddess in the flesh. "This is Gaga, and it means so much to be able to meet her."
At the head of the queue, a group that had been waiting since Sunday afternoon said their 30 hours spent on line were well worth it.
"This is our form of giving back to her, to show how much me appreciate what she does for us," said Billy Finnegan, 18, of Long Island. "She really inspires people to express themselves, to be themselves. This is a little thank you."
His cousin, Jenn Finnegan, 20, also from Long Island, agreed, adding she didn't mind sleeping on the street.
"I would do it again in a heartbeat," she said.
Others stressed her advocacy on issues like gay rights as the reason to come out and show their support.
"She saves people's lives," said Erin Sebestyen, 22, of Long Island, who arrived on line about 2:30 a.m. Monday morning. "I know plenty of friends who have thought about suicide, and she saves people from that."
Fans tweeted or posted their travails on Facebook — waiting through the rain until Monday when the store gave out wristbands to the first 450 people buying a two-CD version of "Born This Way." The bands meant a the chance to see Gaga in the store between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Monday
"Wootwoot!!! I got my wristband," Nick Olson-Navarro wrote on the event's Facebook page on Monday afternoon. "Best bittersweet 14 hours of no sleep, hard concrete, rain, and awesome, fun, genuine little monsters. Will hold this memory in my mind for eternity!!!"
Stephanie Munoz Rosa wrote," I'm gonna get sick! I'm on the line and it's drizzling a little but oh well I'm going to see lady gaga YAYYYYYY ♥ "
The Manhattan superstar — who grew up on the Upper West Side and attended the Upper East Side's prestigious Convent of the Sacred Heart — has inspired urban camping throughout her visit to her hometown.
She reportedly sent pizza to fans who had been sleeping outside NBC studios on Wednesday for a chance at Saturday Night Live's season finale, where she got rave reviews, especially for the spoof music video "3-way" with host Justin Timberlake and SNL cast member Andy Samberg.
Gaga brought the house down with her claw-length fingernails, skintight leopard-print minidress and red bra and dead-on cameo as Chrissy from Three's Company.
Fans also lined up on Monday for the chance to see the singer on David Letterman after she appeared on the View.
But not all Manhattanites embraced Gaga's Manhattan blitz.
"Annoyance: Lady Gaga is signing autographs at Best Buy today, so I recommend you avoid Union Square as much as possible," Rebecca Ganzak tweeted @WhoKnowsRebecca. "You're welcome."
with reporting by Patrick Hedlund
