Madonna FIRES BACK at comments over Grammy appearance and blames a ‘long lens camera’ for ‘distorting’ her changing face: ‘Once again I am caught in the glare of ageism and misogyny’
- The singer was mocked by fans for her smooth face at Sunday’s Grammys
- She claimed on Tuesday that closeup photos distorted her appearance
- Madonna vowed to continue pushing the envelope for ‘years to come’
Madonna was up in arms on Tuesday as she responded to criticisms of her appearance at the Grammy Awards on Sunday.
The 64-year-old music legend shared a fun video of herself rubbing elbows with stars at the Grammys, including winner Sam Smith and Cardi B, but in her lengthy caption she took aim at photographers and a wave of ‘ageism and misogyny’ that she felt she was being accosted by.
After she made an appearance on stage at the ceremony, some Grammy viewers took to social media to share their opinions on how the hitmaker had become ‘unrecognizable’ thanks to her particularly plump and smooth face.
According to Madonna — born Madonna Ciccone — it was the ‘closeup’ from a ‘long lens camera’ that distorted her face and made it appear rounder and puffier than it actually was.
In her short clip, she could be seen with the same striking braids, which were tied up in hoops circling her ears, and she wore a sizzling black lace bustier-style outfit.
Fighting back: Madonna lashed out at social media users who criticized her face and appearance at the Grammy Awards on Sunday in an Instagram post from Tuesday
Talk of the town: The singer, 64, was mocked over her changing appearance, as fans noted her round and particularly smooth face; seen Sunday
Madonna showed off her punk tastes with several necklaces, chains and chokers haphazardly draped around her throat.
One brief section of the video showed her touching tongues.
In another clip, she posed in the black suit and tie that she wore on stage with a beaming Cardi, who was covered in a striking mirrored dress and headdress.
But despite the carefree and celebratory nature of the video, her caption was filled with fury after she experienced the backlash to her appearance on social media.
She called it an ‘honor’ to introduce Kim Petras — the first openly trans person to win a Grammy, after the synthesizer pioneer Wendy Carlos previously won while still in the closet — as well as Sam Smith, who shared the duo award and became the first openly non-binary artist to win in the Best Pop Duo/Group Collaboration category.
She noted that she opted to introduce Petras, rather than presenting for the coveted Album of the Year prize, as she thought the former moment would be more important and befitting her trailblazing status.
But Madonna was also annoyed at how people ignored her words and instead focused on her appearance.
‘Instead of focusing on what I said in my speech which was about giving thanks for the fearlessness of artists like Sam and Kim- Many people chose to only talk about Close-up photos of me Taken with a long lens camera By a press photographer that Would distort anyone’s face!!’ she said.
Celebration: In her short clip, she could be seen with the same striking braids, which were tied up in hoops circling her ears, and a sizzling black lace bustier-style outfit as she cozied up to winner Sam Smith
Letting loose: Madonna showed off her punk tastes with several necklaces, chains and chokers haphazardly draped around her throat. One brief section of the video showed her touching tongues
Celebrity pals: In another clip, she posed in the black suit and tie that she wore on stage with a beaming Cardi, who was covered in a striking mirrored dress and headdress
She diagnosed the problem, adding, ‘Once again I am caught in the glare of ageism and misogyny That permeates the world we live in.’
Madonna complained that she lived in a ‘world that refuses to celebrate women pass the age of 45 And feels the need to punish her If she continues to be strong willed, hard-working and adventurous [sic].’
She continued, declaring that she wasn’t about to start apologizing for ‘any of the creative choices I have made nor the way that I look or dress and I’m not going to start.’
The Like A Prayer singer said she had been ‘degraded’ by the press since her earliest days of fame, ‘but I understand that this is all a test and I am happy to do the trailblazing so that all the women behind me can have an easier time in the years to come.’
Age-obsessed critics: She diagnosed the problem, adding, ‘Once again I am caught in the glare of ageism and misogyny That permeates the world we live in.’
Distortion? She claimed her seemingly puffy appearance was due to a ‘long lens camera By a press photographer that Would distort anyone’s face’
Backlash: The singer also set off controversy among right-wing figures and social conservatives after she introduced Petras and Smith’s performance of their song Unholy
She then quoted Beyoncé’s line from her hit single: ‘You won’t break my soul.’
Madonna remained defiant as she capped off her caption.
‘I look forward to many more years of subversive behavior -pushing boundaries-Standing up to the patriarchy -and Most of all enjoying my life,’ she declared. ‘Bow down b****es!’
The singer also set off controversy among right-wing figures and social conservatives after she introduced Petras and Smith’s performance of their song Unholy.
Smith wore a comical red top hat with horns on it, while Petras had on a tight red dress and sang from inside of a cage.
Many of the complaints on social media said that the performance was devil worship, though they may have been more upset by Smith and Petras’ gender identity and public platform.
After Madonna introduced the two, one fan wrote on Twitter: ‘Madonna looking “refreshed” lol..’ while another wrote: So, I am just now watching the #GRAMMYs. Madonna doesn’t quite look like @Madonna to me.’
Another penned: ‘Madonna needs to stop with the plastic surgery and embrace the aging process. She’s nearly unrecognizable at this point.’
Not a wrinkle in sight: Madonna showed off her smooth visage while presenting on stage at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday – but was branded ‘unrecognizable’ by fans
Unfiltered: The Frozen singer – who loves to share heavily edited photos on Instagram – showed fans what she really looks like at the event
One fan added: ‘My gawd what has @Madonna done to herself? #GRAMMYs’ while another typed: ‘Madonna sorta looks like that singer that sang Vogue and other songs.’
Madonna wore her locks parted in the middle, and styled into two separate braids that were pinned up on each side. Two smaller braids fell down in front of her face for an edgy touch.
As she addressed the audience while standing under a bright spotlight on the stage, the Frozen singer held a riding crop in her right hand.
To further accessorize her look for the special night, Madonna added a pair of cross-shaped earrings, and added an assortment of flashy rings on her fingers.
Her makeup was glammed up, and comprised of black mascara and a shimmering, smoky shadow as she flaunted her blonde-dyed eyebrows. She added a nude-colored tint to her lips for a finishing touch.
As she announced the two upcoming performers, the star began with humorously asking, ‘Are you ready for a little controversy?’
Cracking the whip: She opted for a monochromatic look for the night, and donned a fitted, black jacket along with a long, black skirt that contained a thigh-high slit on the right side
Dressed to impress: Her locks were parted in the middle, and styled into two separate braids that were pinned up on each side
Fans: The audience turned in their seats to watch Madonna announce the next performers during the awards show
Pop of color: The stylish bottom piece flowed down towards the ground, revealing a pair of dark blue, platform heels that were secured with thick straps
Special introduction: The Queen of Pop showcased a youthful glow while introducing Sam Smith and Kim Petras as they prepared to sing their hit track, Unholy, which won the Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance during the ceremony
Edgy: Her makeup was glammed up, and comprised of black mascara and a shimmering, smoky shadow as she flaunted her blonde-dyed eyebrows
Heartwarming message: ‘If they call you shocking, scandalous problematic, provocative or dangerous, you are definitely onto something,’ the Hung Up hitmaker expressed on stage
Oh dear: Fans flocked to social media to question what had happened to the pop icon’s face
After a brief pause, the singer added, ‘Here’s what I’ve learned after four decades in music.’
‘If they call you shocking, scandalous problematic, provocative or dangerous, you are definitely onto something,’ the Hung Up hitmaker stated.
The star continued, ‘I am here to give thanks to all the rebels out here forging a new path and taking the heat for all of it.’
‘You guys need to know, all you trouble makers out there, you need to know that your fearlessness does not go unnoticed. You are seen. You are heard and most of all, you are appreciated.’
Later on Sunday, Madonna gave her fans a closer glimpse of her ensemble for the music event by posting a short clip on her main Instagram page.
Fashion statement: Later on Sunday, Madonna gave her fans a closer glimpse of her ensemble for the music event by posting a short clip on her main Instagram page
Closer glimpse: The star modeled her ensemble that she had worn to the Grammy Awards on Sunday
Award winner: The Frozen hitmaker penned the simple caption of, ‘And the Winner is……….’ and the star notable has garnered 7 Grammy awards herself during the course of her career thus far
In the reel, Madonna could be seen posing against a wall behind her to give a full-length view of her outfit. She then slowly strolled over towards the camera to once again showcase her smooth visage while lightly tapping the riding crop on her hand.
The catchy tune, B.O.T.A. (Baddest Of The All) by Eliza Rose and Interplanetary Criminal played in the background. The star penned the short caption of, ‘And the Winner is………..’
Kim Petras, who became the first transgender woman to win a Grammy on Sunday, typed out in the comment section, ‘I am beyond honored ! Thank you for everything you have done for the lgbtq community and thank you for being pure hope and light to so many.’
The performer recently announced her upcoming The Celebration Tour last month in January to commemorate her 40 years of working in the music industry. Concerts are set to kick off in North America later this year in July to begin the 35-city global tour.
In an official press release, Madonna stated, ‘I am excited to explore as many songs as possible in hopes to give my fans the show they have been waiting for.’
Madonna speaks out after fans react to her changing face
It was an honor for me to Introduce Kim Petras and Sam Smith at the Grammys. I had wanted to give the last award which was Album of the year, but I thought it was more important that I present the first trans- woman performing at the Grammys— a History making moment!! And on top of that she won a Grammy!! ♥️
Instead of focusing on what I said in my speech which was about giving thanks for the fearlessness of artists like Sam and Kim- Many people chose to only talk about Close-up photos of me Taken with a long lens camera By a press photographer that Would distort anyone’s face!!
Once again I am caught in the glare of ageism and misogyny That permeates the world we live in.
A world that refuses to celebrate women pass the age of 45 And feels the need to punish her If she continues to be strong willed, hard-working and adventurous.
I have never apologized for any of the creative choices I have made nor the way that I look or dress and I’m not going to start. I have been degraded by the media since the beginning of my career but I understand that this is all a test and I am happy to do the trailblazing so that all the women behind me can have an easier time in the years to come.
In the words of Beyonce “ You-won’t break my soul”,
I look forward to many more years of subversive behavior -pushing boundaries-Standing up to the patriarchy -and Most of all enjoying my life.
Bow down b****es!
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