Madonna responds to backlash over “disrespectful” Aretha tribute at MTV awards
Madonna has responded to a backlash after an ambling tribute to Aretha Franklin at the MTV Video Music Awards in New York yesterday.
Before presenting the prestigious video of the year honour, she spoke at length (some say rambling) but with heart, about how she had left Detroit at 18 with “35 dollars in my pocket” for New York, and had sung Franklin’s You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman at an audition.
“Aretha Louise Franklin changed the course of my life,” she said.
“After years of struggling and being broke, I decided to go to auditions for musical theatre. I heard the pay was better.
“I had no training or dreams of ever becoming a singer, but I went for it. I got cut, and rejected from every audition.”
However, she sang the Franklin song after a French disco star had a casting call for backup singers and dancers for a world tour.
“I thought, ‘Why not?’ The worst that can happen is I could go back to getting robbed, held at gunpoint and being mistaken for a prostitute in my third-floor walk-up that was also a crack house.”
Viewers accused her on social media of a disrespectful and self-centred tribute to the queen of soul.
Rolling Stone called the speech “beyond awkward” and “a disastrous mistake.”
Vulture reckoned she “swung real low and missed big time.”
Other entertainers described it as “self absorbed.”
But in an Instagram post in which she shares a photo with winner Camilla Cabello, Madonna explains, “And just to clarify: I was asked to present video of the year by MTV!
“And then they asked me to share any anecdotes I had in my career connected to Aretha Franklin!
“I shared a part of my journey and thanked Aretha for inspiring me along the way.
“I did not intend to do a tribute to her! That would be impossible in 2 minutes with all the noise and tinsel of an award show.
“I could never do her justice in this context or environment.
“Unfortunately most people have short attention spans, and are so quick to judge.
“I love Aretha! R.E.S.P.E.C.T. I Love Camilla! Congrats! I LOVE my dress! AND. I love-L O V E!! and there is nothing anyone can say or do that will change that. #vmas #postivevibe
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