LADY Gaga has encouraged women to stay celibate rather than be promiscuous, reported the UK Press Association.

The statement comes as somewhat of a surprise, perhaps, since the 23-year-old singer has "sex kitten" stamped all over her.

Not to mention that she's appeared in concert in very revealing – sometimes butt-baring – outfits.

Dressed in a black lace leotard, tights, black patent heels and framed with a huge black floral hat, the outspoken Poker Face star said she chooses to be celibate because she does not have time for a relationship, as she promoted her new MAC Viva Glam lipstick with 1980s singer Cyndi Lauper in London.

"I, for myself, make the choice to be single at this point in my life because I don't have the time to get to know anybody. And you know what? It's OK. Even Lady Gaga can be celibate," she told the Press Association with a coy smile.

Gaga has been single since breaking up with Matthew Williams – a member of her off-the-wall creative team Haus of GaGa, noted Britain's Daily Mirror.

Gaga – whose real name is Stefani Germanotta – revealed that she prefers to take the time to get to know her partner before jumping into bed, said the Press Association.

"If you can't get to know somebody, you shouldn't be having sex with them," she insisted.

"It's OK at this point, in this day and age, we have grown up and we now know that we can't be that free with your love."

She added: "Sex should be fun, beautiful and colourful but women get the short end of the stick. We're just receivers. We can't talk about sex, we can't sing about sex."

She also encouraged women to get tested regularly for HIV and Aids as part of the MAC Viva Glam From Our Lips campaign.

"You have to be safe, so get checked. You are not invincible," she said.

Both Gaga and Cyndi, 56, were in London to participate in a filmed discussion with Sharon Osbourne, the wife of rocker Ozzy Osbourne, about the disease and the campaign.

The event was broadcast via Mac's Facebook page as well.

All sales proceeds from MAC Viva Glam Cyndi and Viva Glam Gaga lipsticks will go towards helping women and girls living with, or affected by, HIV and Aids.

In Singapore, the lipsticks (at $28 each) will be launched on Friday.

Mac is available at Tangs Beauty Halls in Vivo-City and Orchard Road, Isetan Scotts, Robinsons Raffles City and Sephora Ion.

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