Glenn Close Opens Up About Her Friendship with Lady Gaga's Mom: She's 'Good People'

Glenn Close and Lady Gaga are going head-to-head for Best Actress at the 2019 Oscars — but whoever wins, it’s all love between the two stars.

Speaking to E! News on the red carpet ahead of the show on Sunday, Close opened up about her friendship with Gaga (real name Stephanie Germanotta) and Gaga’s mother, Cynthia Germanotta.

“I first met Cynthia at the Bring Change to Mind gala for my foundation that is against the stigma of mental illness,” Close, 71, told Ryan Seacrest. “They do wonderful work with Gaga’s foundation and they just are really good people.”

“We went to the restaurant, had a great Italian meal,” she added.

Close is nominated for her role in The Wife and Gaga, 32, is nominated for her role in A Star Is Born.

The two have been in direct competition with each other this season — both nominated at the Golden Globes (Close took home that award) and at the Critics Choice Awards, where they tied.

Be sure to check out PEOPLE’s full Oscars coverage to get the latest news on film’s biggest night.

In her acceptance speech at the Critics Choice Awards, Gaga revealed that her mom and her fellow winner are “good friends” and have been for some time.

Close had previously opened up about the friendship during a 2017 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, sharing an anecdote about them crashing Germanotta’s old apartment in New York City together.

The 91st Academy Awards are broadcasting live from Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 24, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC.