Efforts by social game star Zynga and the American Red Cross to raise money for relief efforts in Japan got a $1.5 million boost from pop diva Lady Gaga.

Lady Gaga, whose birth name is Stefani Germanotta, raised the money by selling “We pray for Japan” plastic wristbands at her ladygaga.com website.

“I’m inspired that my little monsters banded together to help those affected by the terrible tragedy,” Lady Gaga said in a release. “What Zynga’s players have done for the cause is equally inspiring.”

Lady Gaga is on a Monster Ball concert tour and refers to her fans as her “little monsters.”

Zynga players have raised more than $2.5 million in the past two weeks through charitable purchases of virtual goods in online games including FarmVille, Cafe World, CityVille, and Zynga Poker.