Lady Gaga has reportedly been left mortified after learning her dad had launched a crowdfunding bid to help pay his employees amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Joe Germanotta’s restaurant Joanne Trattoria in New York City has had to shutdown as COVID-19 spreads.
But the closure left staff facing an uncertain future, with the GoFundMe campaign stating the restaurant has had to layoff almost 30 employees until they are able to open again – despite his Stupid Love hitmaker daughter being worth an estimated $275million.
Germanotta wrote on Twitter, "I'm doing the best I can but we had to close Joanne for the month. Our staff needs some help financial. Any help for our employees will be appreciated."
But a horrified Gaga, 34, reportedly was not aware what her restauranteur dad, 64, was up to as he asked the public to donate $50,000 to cover his staff’s wages.
The singer, who earned $39.5 million in 2019 according to Forbes, allegedly had “no idea” her father made the public plea, according to a PageSix source.
An insider close to the A Star is Born actress - who’s real name is Stefani Germanotta - said: “She had no idea he was doing that and that idea would have been shot down before he even finished bringing it up - and the worst part is, it’s her birthday.
“Neither she nor [mum] Cynthia would ever let that happen. It was him acting on his own, unfortunately, really bad impulse.”
The source also claimed Joe knows his actions were a “stupid mistake”.
“It was a stupid embarrassing mistake. He saw other people getting into the spirit of giving and generosity and somehow thought that applied here.
“It had more to do with the spirit than a belief that he needed or deserved financial help to pass on to his employees. He was acting on impulse.'
Before being removed, the GoFundMe page read: "Our amazing staff is made up of primarily hourly workers who depend on our payroll, and who overwhelmingly live paycheck to paycheck.
“As our doors remain closed longer than anticipated, our staff is finding it increasingly difficult to finance the daily necessities to keep them healthy, like groceries and insurance costs - to say nothing of rent, utilities, and other recurring bills.
"We're asking our Joanne Trattoria community of neighbours, friends, family and fans: If you've enjoyed us in the past, have had a friendly encounter with someone on our incredible service staff, or even if you hope to enjoy us in the future, we'd be so appreciative if you would consider donating to our staff to help them through this difficult time."
Joe and Gaga were slammed on social media after the plea, as critics pointed out that both he and his daughter - who is part owner of the restaurant - are worth millions.
Perez Hilton joined critics in writing: “Lady Gaga is worth hundred of millions of dollars AND is part owner in her family’s restaurant.
“Yet her also wealthy father has just taken to Twitter to ask the public to help financially the workers they have stopped paying. What the f**k????”
