The 60-year-old singer appeared on stage to present the Video of the Year Award, which ended up going to Camila Cabello for her song Havana.
However before she got down to business, Madonna spoke about the Queen of Soul, who died last week at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer.
Starting off by saying she had been inspired by Aretha, Madonna – who was dressed in full Berber attire – seemed to descend into a speech about her own career and how it had all began.
Her long-winded story touched on her musical theatre auditions when she wanted to be a dancer, and added: "The worst that can happen is I can 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.”
She then went on to explain how she had to sing a song and chose Aretha's (You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman a capella.
However she was told she hadn't got the part but she managed to become a star anyway.
Her convoluted tale ended with her saying: "There is a connection! Because none of this would have happened, could have 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. I want to thank you, Aretha, for empowering all of us. R-E-S-P-E-C-T.”
While she got there eventually, viewers were baffled by the rambling speech and took to Twitter to mock the Material Girl.
One wrote: "Does Madonna not realize that a tribute means you talk about the person’s life & career and not about your own journey that no one wants to hear about? Shut. the. hell. up #VMAs".
Another wrote alongside a gif of Jennifer Lawrence saying 'Nobody should ever talk about themselves that much': "How I felt when Madonna was supposed to do a Tribute to Aretha Franklin but turned the Tribute on to herself. BET I’m gonna need you to come through and show what a Tribute is. So damn messy #VMAs."
Another shared: "AWWWW HELL NO!!! @Madonna shld b ashamed & embarassed 4 whatever the f*ck tht was supposed 2 b. U know tht moment when u realize u can no longer tolerate someone, & they r relegated 2 a dark & dusty corner in the back of ur mind? Thats where #Madonna lives now. #QueenAretha #VMAs."
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
Best Hip Hop – ‘Chun-Li’ Nicki Minaj
Best Pop – ‘No Tears Left to Cry’ Ariana Grande
Best New Artist – Cardi B
Song of the Year – ‘Rockstar’ Post Malone ft. 21 Savage
Best Latin – ‘Mi Gente’ J Balvin, Willy William
Artist of the Year – Camila Cabello
Best Collaboration – ‘Dinero’ Jennifer Lopez ft DJ Khaled and Cardi B
Best Dance – ‘Lonely Together’ Avicii ft Rita Ora
Video with a Message – Childish Gambino
Best Rock – ‘Whatever It Takes’ Imagine Dragons
Video of the Year – ‘Havana’ Camila Cabello
Song of the Summer – ‘I Like It’ Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin
Push Artist of the Year – Hayley Kiyoko
Best Cinematography – ‘Apes**t’ The Carters
Best Direction – ‘This is America’ Childish Gambino
Best Art Direction – ‘Apes**t’ The Carters
Best Visual Effects – ‘All The Stars’ Kendrick Lamar & SZA
Best Choreography – ‘This is America’ Childish Gambino
Best Editing – ‘Lemon’ N.E.R.D & Rihanna
Many viewers shared a gif of Aretha blinking rapidly with an unimpressed look on her face.
One wrote alongside it: "Aretha lookin at madonna tribute in heaven" while another captioned it: "madonna has really made this entire speech about her."
A fellow angry viewer used a gif of J Alexander and wrote: "So let me get this straight: The #VMAs tribute to #ArethaFranklin featured no performance and 10 minutes of Madonna talking…about herself?!?!?"
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