Bradley Cooper admits directing 'A Star is Born' was a "very cathartic" experience.
Bradley Cooper
The 43-year-old actor has made his directorial debut with the new musical romantic drama, which tells the story of a hard-drinking country musician, and Bradley confessed that making the movie was a freeing experience for himself.
Bradley - who has previously admitted to struggling with drugs and alcohol - told Variety: "Anytime you're trying to tell the truth you need to go to places and use things that have happened to you, or you've read about or experienced.
"And that's all part of the beauty of turning whatever things you've gone through into a story. I find that to be very cathartic. I remember learning that in grad school, our teacher said all the insecurities, all the dark stuff you get to use that and that's really the truth."
Bradley stars in the new movie alongside Lady Gaga, and the Hollywood star - who learned to play the guitar for his role - hopes the audience is able to see beyond their real-life selves.
Speaking about his ambitions for 'A Star is Born', Bradley shared: "I hope you just see the characters, that's the point. From the opening that was one of the key things in structuring the movie and shooting it.
"I really want to make sure that you forgot it's me and that you forgot it's her right away, otherwise the story won't work."
Meanwhile, Gaga has admitted she felt an "instant connection" with the first-time director.
Recalling how she was cast in the film, Gaga said: "I actually was performing at a cancer fundraiser for Sean Parker and I sang the song 'La Vie En Rose,' which, not to give it away, but it is in the film, and I sang that song, and the very next day, he wanted to meet me and he came over to my home.
"I opened the door, and the second I looked into his eyes I felt an instant connection to him."
Tagged in Lady GaGa Bradley Cooper