UPDATE: Lady Gaga is speaking out following the death of her close friend.
"I don't know how to put a price on a friendship. I'm not even sure how you can assess the size of its meaning, only really your heart truly knows and it's too special for words. I feel two competing feelings," the "Born This Way" singer shared on Instagram. "Firstly, that I will live everyday with more passion, more determination, more compassion and more giving than ever before. Because that's who she was, and it's what drew us to each other, and I know it's what she always wanted for me. She had this incredible way of releasing me from the anchor of my own sadness that held me back, she loved me fearlessly while I learned how to cope with fame and stay inspired no matter how scared I was. She knew all I cared about was the music. She made that ok. The other feeling I have is that of being robbed of the last 10 years of my life, friendship and career with her. Like someone took her from us, and with that taking took all the good times. I know that's not true, and I know that I have those memories forever, I'm just in shock that I will never have new ones with her. I'm in shock that I won't see her again until I pass too. I vow to be a little stronger everyday for her because that's what she would have wanted, I vow to be stronger for anyone who's lost somebody to cancer. I'm a part of that family now. I vow to be a warrior for her and be a voice for cancer patients so the world can continue to improve the dialogue and the fight. I loved her. I still love her. And I love so much her husband Andre, stepson Sante, and friends. I made them some food yesterday. I will keep cooking. Cooking my soul until it understands this."
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Lady Gaga is mourning the loss of one of her closest confidantes.
The pop star's longtime friend, Sonja Durham, has passed away from stage IV cancer. Per TMZ, who was first to report the news, Sonja's husband took to social media to share she died "peacefully and beautifully" at home.
Gaga has yet to address the news directly, but did dedicate a recent Instagram post to her pal of almost a decade. "Watching one of my best friends in the world show unfathomable courage, strength, and positivity while battling cancer has really changed my life," she wrote. "Thank you Sonja for inspiring me and all of us everyday with your joy."
The Joanne artist continued, "I love you so much it brings tears to my eyes just to think of all the years we've spent together backstage running the show, taking care of each other. You are one of a kind. I'm so proud of you. And you and Andre, your unbreakable beautiful love is what life is all about. You can see it in this photo. Wanted to share this with the world and show them what true beauty looks like."
Lady Gaga's latest album includes a bonus track titled "Grigio Girls," which she has said was inspired by Sonja and the illness's impact on their friendship.
"It's about how me and all of our girlfriends would get together and cry without her when she's not around because we love her so much. We just want to be strong with her," the Grammy winner shared in a Radio.com interview about the song.
During her headlining set at Coachella 2017, Gaga also dedicated an acoustic version of "Edgy of Glory" to Durham, who used to work as an assistant to the singer.
"My friend Sonja is very sick and I love her so much and if it's okay with you, I'd like to sing this song for her," the singer said, sitting by a piano. "I'm sorry you don't feel well," Gaga later said, mid-song. "We all wish you were here with us."
Earlier this year, Gaga helped plan and later attended Sonja's wedding to Andre Dubois. In a blog post, Durham called Lady Gaga her "guardian angel," thanking her for organizing her "dream wedding" and for years of support.
Our thoughts are with Durham's friends and family at this time.
(Originally published May 20, 2017 at 10:51 a.m. PST)