Madonna has addressed the criticism she’s acquired following her current look on the 2023 Grammy Awards, describing the backlash as proof of a “world that refuses to celebrate women [past] the age of 45”.
The singer appeared on the ceremony on Sunday (February 5) to current the efficiency of ‘Unholy’ by Grammy nominees Kim Petras and Sam Smith. When introducing the pair – who would go on to win Best Pop Duo/Group for the music – Madonna praised Smith and Petras for rising “above the noise, the doubt [and] the critics”.
Following the printed, Madonna confronted an onslaught of harsh commentary about her bodily look, with many describing her as “unrecognisable” and taking purpose at her cosmetic surgery. The pop star hit again at critics in an Instagram put up shared at present (February 8), writing that she is “once again 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,” Madonna added. The singer stated that it was “a long lens camera” that “distort[ed] her face, and lamented how the backlash had outshone her otherwise-empowering speech “about giving thanks for the fearlessness of artists like Sam and Kim”.
The put up continued: “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”.
Madonna concluded by quoting Beyoncé’s monitor ‘Break My Soul’, and accompanied the put up with a video montage of herself with the likes of Smith, Honey Dijon and Cardi B.
Beyoncé and Harry Styles had been among the many massive winners at this yr’s Grammys, taking residence trophies for Best Dance/Electronic Recording (for ‘Renaissance’) and Album Of The Year (for ‘Harry’s House’), respectively.
Other highlights from the ceremony included Viola Davis reaching EGOT standing along with her Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling win, and performances by LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Queen Latifah and extra in celebration of fifty years of hip-hop.