Madonna stole headlines at last night's MTV VMAs (above), and not the good kind. Called on to present the award for Video of the Year, she was slammed for an Aretha Franklin tribute that turned out to be mostly about her, telling a story of an audition that spared her from living in a third-floor walk-up above a crack house in New York City. She did it while wearing a traditional dress and jewelry from Malawi.
Wrote Dlisted: ‘Madge went on about how before she was Madonna, she was a broke wannabe professional dancer living in a crack house in NYC, getting mistaken for a hooker and going to auditions. The Aretha part of the story is that Madge loved one of her albums and warbled out an acoustic version of (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman during an audition for some “French disco sensation.” Long story long, Madge said that if it wasn't for Aretha Franklin, she wouldn't be a superstar. Thank GOD Aretha Franklin existed, because if she didn't, we wouldn't have Madonna! I think Madge may have broken the Guinness World Record for saying “I” the most times in a tribute to somebody else. If this was Madge trying to get us to scream, “Just stop and sing an Aretha Franklin song instead,” at the screen, it worked, because that's exactly what I screamed.'
After telling the meandering story, Madonna pleaded: “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.”
"If it wasn't for Aretha, we wouldn't have Madonna"- Madonna
— Roy Wood Jr- Ex Jedi (@roywoodjr) August 21, 2018
They played a video of Aretha.
And then did the huge backdrop of her.
If they had given that 10 more seconds, and then introduced Madonna, who would've just introduced Artist of the Year or whatever, it would've been fine.
But… no. How dare you, @MTV. How. Dare. You. #VMAs
— April (@ReignOfApril) August 21, 2018
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
https://twitter.com/MsPackyetti/status/1031756533837647872
https://twitter.com/MsPackyetti/status/1031756820279246848
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 (@theninaparker) August 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/kingsleyyy/status/1031746537527767040
