Madonna has responded to criticism toward her appearance at the 2023 Grammy Awards.
On Sunday (Feb. 5), Madonna was on hand to introduce Sam Smith and Kim Petras before they took the stage to perform their collaboration “Unholy.” The duo later made history as Petras became the first trans woman ever to win a Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
However, some viewers couldn’t help but focus on Madonna’s appearance, with many taking to social media to speculate about plastic surgery.
On Tuesday (Feb. 7) the “Vogue” icon clapped clapped back at the criticism via Instagram.
“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!!” Madonna wrote in the caption of a video showing her posing with various celebrities, including Smith.
“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,” she continued, claiming the type of camera used to take her photo “would distort anyone’s face.”
Madonna added that she was “caught in the glare” of “ageism and misogyny” that “punishes” women who are “strong-willed, hard-working and adventurous.”
“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 am happy to do the trailblazing so that all the women behind me can have an easier time in the years to come,” she continued.
Madonna also quoted a fellow iconic woman in music: “In the words of Beyoncé, ‘You won’t break my soul.'”
In true Queen of Pop fashion, she ended her caption with: “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—hes!”
Who can argue with Madonna?