• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2026 ABC News
  • Culture

Bradley Cooper reveals what it was like singing on stage in 'A Star Is Born': 'I was terrified'

8:53
Sam Elliott on why Bradley Cooper's voice convinced him to do 'A Star Is Born'
Clay Enos/Warner Bros. Pictures
ByNicole Pelletiere
October 03, 2018, 2:04 PM

Bradley Cooper is gearing up for the release of his highly-anticipated film, "A Star Is Born."

Cooper and his movie co-star, Sam Elliott, stopped by "Good Morning America" Wednesday and Cooper revealed what it was like singing on screen in front of a crowd at the Stagecoach Spotlight Tour.

"Willie Nelson let us go on before him," Cooper recalled. "We just hopped on the stage and I said, 'Hi everybody, we're going to shoot a movie. It's all about you. Thank you.'"

Bradley Cooper, from left, Lady Gaga and Sam Elliott in a scene from "A Star is Born."
Clay Enos/Warner Bros. Pictures
Lady Gaga, left, and Bradley Cooper in a scene from "A Star is Born."
Clay Enos/Warner Bros. Pictures

He continued, "I was terrified. We were all terrified, the whole crew. No one had really ever done that before."

In the film, Cooper takes on the role of Jackson Maine, a singer-songwriter and Lady Gaga's love interest. Elliott plays the older brother and manager of Cooper's character. Elliott said he and Cooper broke the ice during their first meeting.

Bradley Cooper, left, and Lady Gaga in a scene from "A Star is Born."
Clay Enos/Warner Bros. Pictures

"We finally got together and one of the first things he did, he played a tape for me of him working with a voice coach that he'd been doing for a number of months," Elliott recalled. "He said, 'This is going to sound a little weird' and it did sound a little weird because it sounded very much like me."

Editor’s Picks

Lady Gaga on stripping 'away the makeup,' becoming raw for 'A Star Is Born'

  • Sep 13, 2018

Anthony Ramos on appearing in 'A Star is Born' with Lady Gaga

  • Oct 02, 2018
Bradley Cooper, left, and Lady Gaga in a scene from "A Star is Born."
Clay Enos/Warner Bros. Pictures

Elliott also gave props to Cooper, who not only co-wrote the screenplay, but had his directorial debut.

"Bradley set a tone that allowed all of us to trust him," Elliott said. "I think when you can trust the director and trust your fellow actors, the odds are you're going to get to the truth and I think that's why this film is so special."

Anthony Ramos, Sam Elliott, Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Dave Chappelle, and Lukas Nelson attend the "A Star Is Born" premiere during 2018 Toronto International Film Festival at Roy Thomson Hall Sept. 9, 2018, in Toronto.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Cooper said it was other film directors who inspired him along the way.

"I think just being a student and having people like David O. Russell and Clint Eastwood be so open about their process and it's all rhythm too," he said. "A love story, it should breathe because you have to see them fall in love."

Bradley Cooper and Sam Elliott appear on "Good Morning America," Oct. 3, 2018.
ABC News

"A Star Is Born" hits theaters this Friday.

Editor’s Picks

Lady Gaga on stripping 'away the makeup,' becoming raw for 'A Star Is Born'

  • Sep 13, 2018

Anthony Ramos on appearing in 'A Star is Born' with Lady Gaga

  • Oct 02, 2018

Up Next in Culture—

Live Nation illegally monopolized the market for tickets, jury finds

April 16, 2026

Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman and more reunite for 'Spaceballs: The New One'

April 16, 2026

Shop 'GMA' Book Club YA picks

April 16, 2026

'Top Gun 3' announced at Cinemacon with Tom Cruise returning

April 16, 2026

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2026 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2026 ABC News