Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation has defended its seemingly high levels of spending.

The charity was officially launched in 2012 and aims to "to foster a more accepting society, where differences are embraced and individuality is celebrated".

It has, for example, run counselling buses on one of Gaga's tours, but tax records for the year 2012 show that almost half of the foundation's $2.7 million (£1.625 million) income was spent on 'attorneys and services from experts in strategic development and philanthropic consulting'.

The charity also used $406,552 (£244,718) on legal fees, $300,000 (£180,586) on strategy and $150,000 (£90,293) for charity consultation.

However, it is reported that only $5,000 (£3,010) was given out in "grants to organisations or individuals".

A rep for the Born This Way Foundation backed the figures, telling the New York Post:

"Every dollar spent across these categories, including the legal fees towards the safe and effective implementation of each initiative, directly serves the Born This Way Foundation's core mission of empowering youth."

Watch the Born This Way Foundation in action below: