Here's why Lady Gaga doesn't think of 'Joker: Folie à Deux' as a musical

There can be songs, dances and impressive numbers Joker: Folie à Deuxbut Lady Gaga wouldn't call it a musical.

Speaking at the Venice International Film festival on Wednesday (September 4) about the upcoming sequel — in which she debuts as Harley Quinn alongside Joaquin Phoenix's Arthur Fleck — the pop star explained why she doesn't put it in the same category as something like A star is born.

“The way we approached the music in this film was very particular and extremely nuanced,” he told members of the press during a panel with Phoenix and director Todd Phillips. “I wouldn't necessarily say this is actually a musical. The way music is used is to give the characters a way to express what they want to say, because the scene and the dialogue weren't enough.”

Phoenix and Gaga previously revealed that they sang live vocals for most of their appearances in the film, something the “Born This Way” singer elaborated on at the festival. “The pianist who was on set with us was kind of like an off-camera actor on stage with us,” he added. “For me it was a lot of unlearning the technique and forgetting how to breathe and allow the song to come completely out of character.”

The festival comes a month before Folie à Deux hits theaters on October 4. The picture will center around Fleck – awaiting trial for his crimes as the Joker – meeting Quinn in an institution and embarking on a whirlwind romance soundtracked by their own delusions and musical numbers.

And while Gaga may have had to reclaim her own talents to make her character's vocals sound more authentic, Phoenix was happy she was able to keep up with the “Die With a Smile” singer. “I seem to remember her spitting out the coffee the first time I sang, so it felt good, it was exciting and it made me feel confident,” he said. Empire magazine in a July interview. “Gaga was always very encouraging, saying, 'Go with what you feel, it's fine.' For someone who's not a performer in that way, it can be… awkward to do that, but also very exciting.”

Watch Gaga explain why she doesn't think so Joker 2 as a musical below.