A decade-old photo of Lady Gaga has resurfaced online—and this time, it’s being twisted into a wild conspiracy theory tying her to Jeffrey Epstein and cannibalism. Viral posts claim the pop icon was “eating human flesh” alongside performance artist Marina Abramovi? at one of Epstein’s infamous gatherings. The reality? The image comes from a 2013 art fundraiser in the Hamptons—and Epstein wasn’t even there.
The dramatic photo shows Gaga holding a spoon over what appears to be a human-shaped body submerged in dark red liquid, with Abramovi? standing nearby. Social media users quickly paired the image with sensational captions suggesting it was taken on “Epstein Island” and depicted some kind of occult ritual. The posts spread across platforms in multiple languages, fueling fresh waves of outrage.
But a simple reverse image search tells a far less cinematic story. The photo was taken at the Watermill Center’s annual summer benefit in Water Mill, New York, on July 27, 2013. That year’s theme, titled Devil’s Heaven, featured provocative and theatrical art installations designed to shock and provoke conversation. The performance in question was titled Funérailles de Miel—or Funeral of Honey—by artist Lisa Lozano. The “body” was part of a staged piece submerged in honey, not blood.
The timing of the conspiracy surge appears linked to renewed public interest in Jeffrey Epstein following the release of additional Justice Department documents. As internet sleuths combed through files looking for famous names, Gaga and Abramovi? were mentioned only briefly in unrelated contexts. For conspiracy-minded corners of social media, however, even fleeting references were enough to resurrect an old image and recast it as sinister “proof.”
Experts say this kind of narrative thrives because it offers a simplified villain storyline. Epstein’s real-life crimes—rooted in power, wealth, and manipulation—are deeply disturbing but complex. Conspiracy theories replace that complexity with dramatic imagery and occult symbolism, making it easier to package and share. A provocative art event becomes “evidence.” A themed fundraiser becomes a secret ritual.
The Watermill event itself was widely photographed and covered by media outlets at the time. Guests wandered through immersive installations that blurred the line between satire and spectacle, many intentionally designed to unsettle viewers. Nothing about it was hidden, secret, or connected to Epstein’s private island.
Still, once an image is detached from its original context, it can take on a life of its own. In today’s algorithm-driven ecosystem, a shocking claim travels far faster than a fact-check. The result? A stock photo from 2013 becomes viral “proof” of something far darker.
The truth in this case isn’t glamorous or scandalous. It’s verifiable and mundane: a performance art piece at a charity benefit. But in an era where outrage spreads at lightning speed, sometimes the most rebellious act is simply checking the timestamp.
