Madonna hits back at criticism of 'disrespectful' Aretha Franklin tribute at MTV VMAs: 'They asked me to share anecdotes'

The star says she was asked to share career anecdotes instead of pay tribute
Natasha Sporn22 August 2018
The Weekender

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Madonna has hit back at claims she “disrespected” Aretha Franklin during her tribute at the MTV VMAs, saying that she was “asked to share anecdotes from her career”.

The 60-year-old star was slammed by viewers who claimed her homage to the late singer, who died last week, was “self-indulgent” at Monday night’s awards ceremony.

But writing on her Instagram on Tuesday, Madonna responded to criticism saying that she “did not intend to do a tribute”, but instead to talk about Franklin’s impact on her own career.

She wrote: “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! 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"

She continued that people with "short attention spans were quick to judge" and added her respects to the late star.

Criticised: Madonna made the speech in front of a huge image of Aretha Franklin but faced a viewer backlash
Getty Images

Before presenting the Video of the Year award to Camila Cabello, Madonna recalled the time she was living in Detroit with “35 dollars in my pocket” and was repeatedly rejected from auditions for “not being pretty enough”.

She credited Franklin’s song R.E.S.P.E.C.T with helping her launch her own musical career, telling the crowd: “None of this would have happened, could have happened without our lady of soul.”

The Queen of Pop also revealed she sang Franklin’s classic (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman during an audition for a backing dancer gig, ultimately kicking off her career.

MTV VMA's 2018 Show - In pictures

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