Madonna took to the stage of the Grammys on Sunday to introduce Sam Smith and Kim Petras.
The appearance led to an explosion of comments on Twitter — not about the content of her introduction, but about the appearance of her facial features.
In fact, her appearance at the award show was met with a seemingly endless stream of snarky comments implying the music icon has had some work done.
READ MORE: Madonna Shows Off NSFW Accessories At The Grammys On Instagram
Madonna apparently caught wind of the backlash, and responded with a scathing statement she issued via Instagram.
“It was an honor for me to introduce Kim Petras and Sam Smith at the Grammys. I had 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,” Madonna wrote.
“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 continued. “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 pass the age of 45 And feels the need to punish her If she continues to be strong willed, hard-working and adventurous.”
READ MORE: Madonna Biopic Axed As Singer Embarks On World Tour
She went on to point that she she’s “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,” and referenced Beyonce’s lyrics, “You won’t break my soul.”
She concluded, by writing, “I look forward to many more years of subversive behavior -pushing boundaries-Standing up to the patriarchy -and Most of all enjoying my life,” adding, “Bow down b***hes! 💃🏼🪩🎤💄🎼👠”
Madonna also shared some words on Twitter.
“The world is threatened by my power and my stamina. My intelligence and my will to survive. But they will never break me,” she wrote, adding, “this is all the test.”
The world is threatened by my power and my stamina. My intelligence and my will to survive.
But they will never break me
this is all the test. pic.twitter.com/XvcaaG0Rrs— Madonna (@Madonna) February 7, 2023
In the face of the backlash, Madonna’s fans took to Twitter to rush to her defence.
This is how the media treated Madonna when she was 35 years old and this is how they are treating her now that she's 64 years old. Nothing changed in almost 3 decades… pic.twitter.com/6ruwe2rQJ0
— was MDNASPEARSS (@mediamdnaspears) February 7, 2023
Real quick reminder for some of my fellow queers:
1.#Madonna was on our side when almost no one else was.
2.We are a marginalized community, so maybe we don't then turn around and tell women what they can and cannot do with their own appearance.Love,
Jonathan— Jonathan Slavin (he, him, they, them) (@slavin_jonathan) February 7, 2023
Madonna really is the most bullied celebrity of all time. Disrespect towards her has been NONSTOP and weirdly obsessive since the beginning of her career. From her sexuality, to her talent, to her open-mindedness, to her love life, to her parenthood and now her age & appearance. pic.twitter.com/2Vryj2QaUb
— 🥀 (@KyuketsukiBaby) February 6, 2023
To the people who judge Madonna’s appearance, saying she has destroyed her face — or their mum looks better at age 64 — are perfectly proving why women feel the need to have cosmetic surgery in the first place.
— Dr Charlotte Proudman (@DrProudman) February 6, 2023