Lady Gaga Makes Surprise Appearance at Netflix Tudum Fan Event in Los Angeles
By Maggie Ma
Los Angeles– The third annual Netflix Tudum Fan Event lit up Los Angeles’ Kia Forum on Saturday, May 31, drawing an audience of over 20,000 fans and more than 70 million livestream viewers worldwide. The star-studded celebration showcased Netflix’s upcoming slate of films and series, featuring live appearances by cast members, exclusive previews, immersive fan experiences—and one jaw-dropping surprise performance by Lady Gaga.
This year’s Tudum marked a return to the U.S. after being hosted in Brazil last year. Much like Disney’s D23 Expo, the Netflix event offers fans an interactive platform to connect with stars, preview new content, and explore themed installations and games. Attendees lined up to play real-life versions of Netflix games, including a dice game inspired by Squid Game, where they could win exclusive Netflix merchandise.
Lady Gaga Joins the “Wednesday” Cast—And Steals the Show
Lady Gaga’s unannounced performance was a highlight of the night. The pop icon not only debuted several new songs with a spooky Halloween aesthetic, but also confirmed her upcoming role in the second season of Wednesday. She’ll play Rosaline Rotwood, a legendary teacher at Nevermore Academy. The gothic teen mystery series is set to return in two parts—Part 1 premieres August 6, followed by Part 2 on September 3.
“Squid Game” Season 3 Hype Reaches Fever Pitch
The cast of Squid Game made a dramatic appearance, including stars Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Park Sung-hoon, and Choi Seung-hyun, joined by dozens of masked “pink soldiers” performing choreographed routines. Fans got a sneak peek at Squid Game Season 3, which premieres June 27. This final season promises to resolve major cliffhangers: Who survives? Will the game’s masterminds be exposed? Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk vows to deliver a powerful conclusion to the global phenomenon.
Stranger Things Season 5 to Drop in Three Parts
The cast of Stranger Things also appeared onstage to reflect on the show’s journey and tease what’s to come. The fifth and final season will roll out in three parts:
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Part 1: November 26 (Thanksgiving)
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Part 2: December 25 (Christmas)
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Final Episode: December 31 (New Year’s Eve)
The creators confirmed this season includes eight episodes but promises the scale and quality of eight feature films.
New Film Highlights: From Gothic Horror to Dark Comedy
Visionary director Guillermo del Toro debuted the first teaser for his upcoming film Frankenstein, starring Oscar Isaac as the doctor and Jacob Elordi as the monster. The film is rich in del Toro’s signature gothic visuals and haunting tone and will premiere on Netflix this November.
Meanwhile, longtime Hollywood collaborators Matt Damon and Ben Affleck took the stage together to promote their new action-dark comedy The Rip. The film explores how far friends would go when tempted by a sudden windfall of dirty money. It marks a long-awaited acting reunion for the Oscar-winning duo.
More Previews: “Knives Out 3,” “One Piece” S2, and More
Fans were also treated to first looks at:
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Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, with Daniel Craig returning as detective Benoit Blanc. The film features an all-star cast including Jeremy Renner, Josh O’Connor, Josh Brolin, Cailee Spaeny, and Mila Kunis. Streaming starts December 12.
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One Piece Season 2, introducing fan-favorite character Chopper, voiced by Mikaela Hoover.
Outside the venue, fans came dressed as characters from Netflix hits like Wednesday and Squid Game, creating a vibrant cosplay atmosphere. The event felt more like a pop culture festival than a traditional showcase.
As Netflix continues expanding its fan engagement through events like Tudum, the streaming giant shows it’s not just a platform—but a global cultural powerhouse.
