In a new interview, Friends: The Reunion director, Ben Winston, revealed how the show’s Lady Gaga cameo happened. The reunion comes 17 years after the program ended in 2004. Friends received acclaim throughout its years on air and became of the most popular and beloved television shows of all time. Fans were ecstatic to learn the Central Perk regulars would be returning for the reunion special, also known as, "The One Where They Get Back Together”. Premiering on HBO Max, the special sees the cast revisit the the show’s iconic sets, including the Friends apartments and the water fountain. In the special, presented by James Corden, the cast reenact old episodes, take part in table reads, and meet celebrity guests.

The Friends reunion was scheduled to film in March 2020 but was delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The original series is remembered for its musical moments, including the iconic theme song, ‘I’ll Be There For You” by The Rembrandts. Some of the most hilarious scenes involved Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow) playing zany songs on her guitar. These included "Smelly Cat," "Christmas Song," and "Their Bodies”.

Related: Friends: The Biggest Reveals From The Reunion

In an interview with THR, director Ben Winston explained how Lady Gaga’s “Smelly Cat” performance with Kudrow happened. “I gave [Kudrow] a list of three or four names of people I thought would be really great to duet with,” explains the director, “but Gaga was, without question, my number one. Why did the two songstresses connect so well? “Because Gaga — and I don’t think she’d mind me saying — has some Phoebe spirit in her,”continued the director. Read the full quote below:

I told Lisa that I wanted a music performance and didn’t want it to be the theme song. I asked if she’d consider singing “Smelly Cat” and she thought it would be fun but said she never really played guitar. We gave her a guitar to practice that morning. I gave her a list of three or four names of people I thought would be really great to duet with, but Gaga was, without question, my number one. And she loved the idea of Gaga. Because Gaga — and I don’t think she’d mind me saying — has some Phoebe spirit in her. There is synergy between Lisa Kudrow and Lady Gaga in some way. Gaga said yes in a heartbeat. She was like, “I would love to perform in Central Perk with Lisa Kudrow.”

Friends Reunion Cast Photo

The Friends reunion marks another entry in Lady Gaga’s filmography. The “Rain On Me” singer won a Golden Globe for her role as The Countess on American Horror Story. She found further acclaim in A Star is Born, the musical remake which mirrored the singer’s own path from unknown performer to global superstar. Gaga fans (or Little Monsters) will see the singer in House of Gucci opposite Adam Driver later this year.

“Smelly Cat” is ranked as one of the most iconic running gags of the entire show. The comedy song is about a pungent cat mistreated and neglected by its owners due to its smell. In “The One Where Eddie Moves In,” Phoebe attempts to record a professional rendition of the track, but her voice is ultimately re-dubbed by a professional singer. In Friends: The Reunion, Phoebe finally has her moment with a kindred spirit in Gaga.

Next: Friends Reunion Reveals Why Monica's Apartment Changed

Source: THR