Julie Andrews gushes over Lady Gaga

Dame Julie Andrews has sung the praises of her "new friend" Lady Gaga after the pop star performed a The Sound Of Music medley at the Oscars on Sunday night (22Feb15).

The Born This Way hitmaker sang a string of songs from the Oscar-winning movie musical in honor of its 50th anniversary during the prizegiving, taking on tracks such as Edelweiss, Climb Ev'ry Mountain and the title song.

Not only was Gaga's performance well-received at Hollywood's Dolby Theater, but the show-stopping scene was the Oscars' most-shared moment on social media, and Andrews is one of the many who were left impressed with the singer's talents.

Andrews, who took the stage to hug Gaga after her performance, tells People magazine, "I was deeply honored by the Academy's lovely tribute to The Sound of Music, and especially touched by Lady Gaga's wonderful performance."

She adds, "I have always been a fan, but last night we bonded and now I have a new friend."

Oscars producers Neil Meron and Craig Zadan also praised the pop star's hard work, telling Entertainment Tonight that they asked her six months ago if she would take the stage during the prizegiving.

They revealed that Gaga, who graduated from New York University's acclaimed a musical theater training conservatory, had been working with a vocal coach every day to prepare for the big moment.

Meron said of the singer, "She said that if she pulls it off, it's going to change the focus of her career - and she pulled it off."