PHOTOS Lady Gaga plunges into Lake Michigan for charity, freezes her hair while doing so

Lady Gaga, known perhaps more for her keen fashion sense and bizarre, unforgettable appearances than for her voice, appeared unusually vulnerable this weekend–and she shared the results with the world on Instagram. Gaga and her fiancé Taylor Kinney (star of Chicago Fire, no less), along with Chicago native Vince Vaughan and a host of locals, took a dip into the icy waters of picturesque Lake Michigan to raise money for the Special Olympics.

Gaga didn’t answer any questions or give any statements to the press, but she appeared to have a good time. At least, she did until she exited the water with huge clumps of good, old-fashioned Illinois ice clinging to her legendary hair.

Indeed, Lady G didn’t even let the organizers know she was coming until the very last minute, in order to keep her appearance as low-key as possible. Said Casey Hogan, the president of Special Olympics Chicago, “[Gaga] is “pure heart. She came out for the cause — low-key, no press. It doesn’t get any better than that.”

All told, over 4,500 folks went for a dip. Collectively, they raised $1,100,000 ($1.1 million) for the Special Olympics. The haul amounted to the most in the event’s history.

The other important number? The high in Chicago yesterday was a balmy 25 degrees–or, as the good people of Milwaukee call it, “April.”

(Photo credits: Gaga on Instagram)