Kirill Nguyen, the founder of the widely followed Lady Gaga fan account “Gaga Daily,” has shared his account of imprisonment in Belarus, where he was detained for participating in anti-government protests. Nguyen’s absence from social media for nearly two years left his global fanbase wondering about the sudden silence of the platform, which boasts over four million followers and had been recognized by Lady Gaga herself.

Nguyen, who started “Gaga Daily” at age 14 and ran the channel for more than 15 years, revealed in September that he had been jailed in Belarus, an authoritarian state closely allied with Russia. The 32-year-old attributed his arrest to his involvement in demonstrations following the disputed 2020 presidential election in Belarus. President Alexander Lukashenko’s claim of victory was widely condemned as fraudulent by the opposition and sparked mass protests demanding his resignation.

After initially escaping a crackdown by relocating to Moscow, Nguyen returned to Belarus in 2022 amid the upheaval caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Belarusian security forces arrested him in Minsk in February 2024 and sentenced him to 18 months in prison, later extended by an additional year. During his incarceration, Nguyen maintained his connection to the fan community in subtle ways. Although he never disclosed his identity as the platform’s founder to avoid further risks, he found comfort in hearing Lady Gaga’s music on prison radio and noticed other inmates expressing admiration for her work.

Nguyen recalled a poignant moment when a fellow detainee spontaneously expressed enthusiasm for a Gaga song playing on the radio. He also chose the film “Joker: Folie à Deux,” featuring Lady Gaga, to be screened in his barracks when given the opportunity. Since his release, he has resumed tracking Lady Gaga’s latest projects and reconnecting with fans who offered widespread support during his ordeal.

Currently residing outside Belarus for safety reasons, Nguyen spoke via telephone from an undisclosed location. His story highlights the intersection of political dissent and personal passion, underscoring the reach of digital fan communities even amid restrictive conditions.