*Twitter has roasted Madonna again for her attempt at paying tribute to an African American musical icon.
The Material Girl, who ran afoul of many music lovers with her Prince tribute at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards, was on hand at last night’s MTV Video Music Awards in New York to present the final award of the night, but not before paying homage to the late Aretha Franklin.
Speaking onstage in front of a huge portrait of Franklin, Madonna began telling the story of her own rags to riches journey in the music industry, explaining that she consistently got “cut and rejected” after every audition.
Still dressed in African garb from her 60th birthday celebrations in Morocco, Madonna explained that industry folk repeatedly told her she’s “not tall enough, not 12-octave range enough, not pretty enough and not enough enough.”
“I had no training or dreams but I went for it,” Madonna continued, with Franklin’s portrait still behind her.
After a while, she brought it back around to Aretha by saying she would go on to audition with a performance of Franklin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” to which she said she knew “every word” by heart.
Though she was aware that those who she was auditioning for would simply view her as a “skinny-ass white girl” who “is going to come out here and sing a song by one of the soul singers that ever lived,” Madonna credited Franklin for being the reason she is as successful as she is today.
“None of this would’ve happened, could’ve happened without our lady of soul. She led me to where I am today and I know she influenced so many people in this house tonight, in this room tonight, and I want to thank you Aretha for empowering all of us, R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Long live the queen!”
Needless to say, Madonna’s Aretha tribute — that had nothing to do with Aretha’s actual accomplishments — was slashed and burned to ashes on Twitter.
Madonna ruined the Prince Tribute on the Billboard Awards in 2016.
Madonna ruined the Aretha Tribute on the #VMAs in 2018.
I really never want to see her again. Ever. pic.twitter.com/rp6QCql3aR
— April (@ReignOfApril) August 21, 2018
Madonna talking about guitar lessons, Paris baguettes and her ass hanging out while she looked for a stiletto with the image of Aretha Franklin behind her is everything I expected from the #VMAs
— Kingsley (@kingsleyyy) August 21, 2018
Whoever at the #VMAs let Madonna get on stage and give a tribute to @ArethaFranklin or whatever that was really should be out of a job right about…now.
— Alicia Garza (@aliciagarza) August 21, 2018
You do not disrespect an ICON like that. This is a jovial kiki about Madonna’s broken ass journey. You honor a legend by telling their story or SHUT UP. The AUDACITY.
— Nina Parker (@MzGossipGirl) August 21, 2018
“If it wasn’t for Aretha, we wouldn’t have Madonna”- Madonna
— Roy Wood Jr- Ex Jedi (@roywoodjr) August 21, 2018
I’m so lost. I thought Madonna was supposed to be paying homage to Aretha but I all heard was her paying homage to herself. HEAVY on the Mayonnaise……
— Charlamagne Tha God (@cthagod) August 21, 2018
After that prince fiasco she should have had her tribute card revoked
— UNO DOS TRES FUEGO ??? (@dcjanfan) August 21, 2018
does Madonna know Madonna didn’t die
— Katie Nolan (@katienolan) August 21, 2018
We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!
