Madonna accuses bashers of her ‘new face’ with ‘ageism, misogyny’
Madonna. Images: Screengrabs from Instagram/@madonna
After grabbing attention during and after the 65th Grammy Awards for showing up with a “new face,” American pop superstar Madonna called out his critics in the press and on social media for “ageism” and “misogyny,” saying she was being “punished” for her “creative choices.”
Madonna, during the awards night, appeared barely unrecognizable with her shaved eyebrows, visibly fuller cheeks, pointed chin, and plump lips, as she was introducing Kim Petras and Sam Smith, Grammy winners for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
The 64-year old music icon lamented that instead of viewers and netizens taking note of the historical moment of a transgender performing at the annual musical event, they were taking note of the changes in her physical 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 in an Instagram post.
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Madonna described her recent controversy as a moment where she’s “caught in the glare of ageism and misogyny.”
“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 past the age of 45 and feels the need to punish her if she continues to be strong willed, hard-working and adventurous,” she said.
Despite the allegations surrounding her “new face,” the singer said the controversy is “all a test” and that she’s happy to “do the trailblazing” for female artists.
“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,’” she said.
“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*tches,” Madonna added.
The “Like a Virgin” singer likewise mentioned that it was an honor to introduce Petras and Smith’s “Unholy” performance at the 2023 Grammys.
“It was an honor for me to introduce Kim Petras and Sam Smith at the Grammys. I 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,” she added.
Despite her lengthy statement, many fans called out Madonna in the comments for supposedly being a “perpetrator to ageism,” while others asked the singer to embrace her age with “grace.”
One said, “Madonna please don’t play the ageism card. You are the biggest contributor to ageism. Take it from a woman who is your age, you do nothing for us who choose to embrace their age with grace. Just imagine being you without all the puffery, now that would stand for something.”
Another pointed out, “Madonna, by changing your facial appearance to the extent that you have, you are the main perpetrator of your own ageist agenda. I’m a fan, but I need to call you out on this.”
On the other hand, one @wgiles390 said the singer deserves to be “respect[ed]” for her contributions to the music industry and LGBTQIA community.
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@madonna
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@madonna
The singer is known for being outspoken about women empowerment and LGBTQIA rights, and has released several chart-topping singles including “Like A Virgin”, “Vogue”, and “Material Girl” throughout her career. EDV
