Madonna has addressed the social media backlash she received on Monday night after giving a speech about Aretha Franklin at the MTV VMAs.
The pop icon was severely criticized and accused of ‘making the entire speech about herself’ when she took to the stage to present the award for video of the year.
Taking to Instagram on Tuesday the 60-year-old songstress defended herself as she explained that it was not meant to be an official tribute and was just asked to give an ‘anecdote’ about the soul singer who passed away last week aged 76.
Sharing a photo of herself next to winner Camila Cabello from the evening, Madonna wrote a caption to explain her side.
‘Im with the Winner!! The beautiful @camila_cabello ! So proud of her! 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!’ she wrote.
‘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.’
The singer hit back against her critics as she wrote, ‘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 #postivevibes’
On Monday night Madonna appeared on stage as a montage of Aretha was displayed on the big screen behind her, with most assuming that it was to be a tribute to the soul singer who passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer on August 16.
In Madonna’s 10-minute address, she recalled her early days as an aspiring singer and dancer, including one audition where she performed Franklin’s iconic (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman. Despite the heartfelt address, she angered fans after she was accused of focusing on herself rather than the ‘Queen Of Soul’.