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Jack White has hit back at suggestions that he was critical of Lady Gaga for being 'all image and no meaning', insisting he is a fan of the 'Born This Way' star.
The star spoke to Esquire in an interview about Gaga, saying, "I don't think she lives it because it's all artifice. It's all image with no meaning behind it. You can't sink your teeth into it.
"It's a sound bite. It's very of this age, because that's what people want. They want a Twitter line, a jpeg, an MP3."
In a note written on the Third Man Records website, White clarifies the quote and says that publications were encouraging 'tabloid drama'.
White writes, "I'd like to address the recent tabloidesque drama baiting by the press in regards to Lady Gaga. I never said anything about her music, or questioned the authenticity of her songs in any way.
"I was in a conversation about the drawbacks of image for the sake of image, and that it is popular nowadays to not question an image in front of you, but only to label it as "cool" or "weird" quickly and dispose of it. I don't like my comments about Lady Gaga's presentation being changed into some sort of negative critique of her music. If you're going to try to cause drama, at least get the quotes right."
He continues, "I think journalists should also be held accountable for what they say. Especially publications like the NME who put whatever words they feel like between two quotation marks and play it off as a quote. Maybe somebody with more lawyers can take them to task, but I'll just use the Internet and Twitter instead.
"I also think that kind of tabloid drama encourages artists to not express their opinions in the press, and instead give polite soundbites that don't stimulate thought about creativity and the consumption of art in its many guises.
"Peace to Lady Gaga and I fully congratulate and compliment her on her championing of gay rights issues and the momentum it's given to help create change.
"Thank you. Jack White"
Lady Gaga, performing on stage in Johannesburg, South Africa
During the interview, White also went on to air his grievances with Twitter, and its role in celebrity culture - particularly when it comes to reality television shows.
White continued, "The goal of modern celebrity is to make yourself into the lowest common denominator. 'Hey, I'm a guy just like you. I like a beer, a football game'. Especially in reality television, you'll see people will go so far as to make a fool out of themselves just to prove that.
"Twitter is the most perfect example of modern living. I think the only people who should have [Twitter accounts] are comedians. Because it's all about one-liners."
Watch the video for Jack White's 'I'm Shakin'' below:
Music Stars On Reality TV: From John Lydon To Flavor Flav
