Let’s do this good news, bad news, good news.

First up is a chance for Gaga fans to “get close” to the singer when she kicks off the U.S. portion of her “Monster Ball” tour at the Citi Performing Arts Center in Boston next month.

Winners of MySpace Music’s latest contest will be flown in for the evening, kitted out with video equipment, allowed to sit in on rehearsal, interview the lady herself and film the show. At the end of the night, footage shot by the budding cinematographers will be turned in to be edited together into a “comprehensive concert piece shot by her biggest fans.”

Hopeful Gaga-maniacs should submit a video explaining why they’re worthy for the honor to the singer’s MySpace page. Lady G will choose the three lucky fans from among the thousands who will no doubt apply.

Now for that bad news: It seems a pesky rule will keep Gaga out of the running for best new artist at the 52nd annual Grammy Awards.

Ironic isn’t it? As Variety points out, Lady G has “captured the pop culture zeitgeist like no other act since Madonna” and “scored multiple No. 1 singles and sold more than 1.53 million copies of her Cherry Tree/Interscope debut.” However, because her single “Just Dance” was nominated for best dance recording at the 51st annual Grammys, she’s not eligible for the new artist award this time out.

That’s probably music to the ears of acts like Zac Brown Band, Keri Hilson, Kevin Rudolf, Owl City, MGMT, Diane Birch, Cage the Elephant, 3Oh!3, Carolina Liar, David Cook, Kristina De Barge, Ingrid Michaelson, Asher Roth and Silversun Pickups, all of whom Variety places in the running for the trophy.

Okay Gaga fans, take a deep breath and let’s move on to happier topics.

“Video Phone,” the highly-anticipated and much-talked-about collaboration between Beyoncé and Lady Gaga hit MTV at midnight.

While the five-minute-plus video is fashion forward, definitely eye-catching and unquestionably smoking hot (Beyoncé as Bettie Page? Fierce indeed!), what’s most remarkable about it is the simplicity of Gaga’s appearance. There are no masks, hats, outer space wigs or elaborate dresses in sight. During her segment in the clip, the singer is clad in a simple white dress with her blonde hair in sexy curls and her face in high-fashion makeup.

But don’t take my word for it. Check it out for yourself.

Apparently the change was Gaga’s choice. The singer told MTV her look was a nod to Beyoncé’s style.

“I said, ‘I want to do you in your video, and I want to tribute you. I want to dress up like you,’” she explained. “And Hype Williams … was so excited.”

Speaking of Gaga’s sometimes, ahem, unique sense of style, it seems she’s caught the imagination of more than just the record buying public.

At last weekend’s 30th anniversary gala for the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art, where she performed her new song “Speechless” while clad in an outfit that looked like a cross between a wedding cake and something Marie Antoinette would have been at home in, celebs couldn’t wait to offer their opinions on her.

“I don’t know about everybody else, but I just love the fact that she’s like, ‘Yes, this is what I’m wearing, and yes, this is how I’ll be performing,’” Christina Ricci told MTV News. “And anyone who has that sort of self-confidence and the balls to sort of be like, ‘I’m a fantastic creature. You’d better love me.’ is OK in my book.”

Marilyn Manson’s former gal Rose McGowan gave the singer props for bringing showmanship back to the musical stage, saying, “I love what she wears. Performers are performers for a reason. Give me a show.”

And former Garbage vocalist Shirley Manson, who’s no slouch herself in the image department, complimented Gaga’s courage.

“I love that she’s out there doing what she’s doing and taking chances and sort of living outside the mainstream in some way but still managing to infiltrate it,” she told MTV. “I’m so grateful to her for being out there and not being afraid to be laughed at and taking chances and risks.”

For complete info on MySpace Music’s “Get Close to Lady Gaga” contest, click here.