and ‘s performance of A Star Is Born‘s signature tune “Shallow” at may have delighted fans watching at home, but the electrifying chemistry between the two stars left unsettled.
The Spice Girls singer, 43, criticized Gaga and Cooper during Good Morning Britain‘s Academy Awards telecast, explaining that she couldn’t help but think about Cooper’s girlfriend, Irina Shayk, the whole time.
Shayk, 33 — mother to Cooper’s 1½-year-old daughter Lea De Seine — was sitting in the front row of the Dolby Theatre, steps away from where Cooper, 44, and Gaga, 32, sang their show-stealing duet. The two costars and on-screen lovers shared a piano bench at the number’s conclusion, singing a stripped-down take on the track cheek-to-cheek before affectionately gazing into each other’s eyes, with Cooper wrapping his arm around Gaga’s waist.
“,” Mel B recalled of the moment, according to video captured by The Sun.
Agreeing that the duo had “the look of love,” Mel B hoped that the energy between Cooper and Gaga — who recently , her rep confirmed to PEOPLE exclusively on Tuesday — was just for show.
“I would like to think it was part of the whole performance, because there’s a women’s code and hopefully that’s not… hopefully it’s only professional,” she said.
Fans have long been enamored by Gaga and Cooper’s , to the point where some online .
Instead, Gaga and Cooper smiled and hugged as they walked off the stage. Their embrace continued backstage as the two were met with a swarm of claps from well-wishing production staff.
“Did I nail it?” asked Gaga. Taking in the congratulations, she looked at Cooper and said, “I’m so f—ing proud of you!”
With only a few seconds to get back to their seats, a handler disengaged Gaga from the mic-pack attached to the back of her dress — and Cooper and Gaga, side by side, made their way to their seats via the stage.
During the commercial break following their duet, the pair came out arm-in-arm to huge cheers and another standing ovation from the entire house. Cooper kissed and hugged when he got back to his seat, and the model congratulated Gaga, whom Shayk cheered on throughout the night.
won the award for Best Original Song while A Star Is Born — which Cooper co-wrote and directed — earned a nomination for Best Picture. Gaga and Cooper also earned acting nods for .
In her tearful acceptance speech for Best Original Song, Gaga thanked those closest to her, including her sister Natali Germanotta, 26.
“Thank you so much. To the Academy for this wonderful honor. Thank you to every single person in this room. Thank you to Mark Ronson, to Anthony Rossomando, to Andrew Wyatt my co-writers, I love them so much. To my sister, my soul mate, I love you,” she said, crying. “My family is here, I love you, mom and dad.”
She also sent love to Cooper, who Gaga had staged their Oscars performance. “Bradley, there is not a single person on the planet that could’ve sung this song with me but you,” Gaga said. “Thank you for believing in us, thank you so much.”