True to form, Madonna uses sarcasm and self-awareness to justify the narrative surrounding her heavily criticized appearance at the 2023 Grammy Awards.
On Monday, the Queen of Pop alluded to the media firestorm following her appearance at the Feb. 5 ceremony, as she shared a new photo of herself on Twitter.
“Look how cute I am now that the swelling from the surgery has gone down. Lol,” she wrote next to the photo, which appears to have been taken during preparations for her upcoming holiday tour. He then ended the tweet with a laughing emoji.
Seven-time Grammy winner Madonna briefly took the stage at the 2023 ceremony to introduce Sam Smith and Kim Petras. It was a fitting choice, given that Smith and Petras’ hit “Unholy” blends sexual and religious imagery in the same vein as his 1989 classic “Like a Prayer.”
“I’m here to say thank you to all the rebels out there, to blaze a trail and put heat on it all,” she said of Smith, who is non-binary, and Petras, a transgender woman.
Kevin Winter via Getty Images
Unfortunately, not everyone listened. Instead, Madonna attracted online scorn for her appearance, with many accusations of plastic surgery and other cosmetic procedures.
“Can’t wait for Madonna’s new movie ‘Desperately Seeking Surgeon'” one person wrotenodding to Material Girl’s 1985 performance “Desperately Seeking Susan.”
Two days after the Grammys, Madonna responded to the backlash with a lengthy note on Instagram, reminding everyone — for the tenth time in her four-decade career — that her style choices were always intentional.
“Once again I am caught in the glare of ageism and misogyny that permeates the world we live in,” the 64-year-old wrote. “A world that refuses to celebrate women over 45 and feels the need to punish her if she continues to be strong, hardworking and adventurous.”
“I’ve never apologized for any of the creative choices I’ve made or the way I look or dress, and I’m not going to start,” she continued. “I’ve been degraded by the media since the beginning of my career, but I understand that everything is a test and I’m happy to pave the way for all the women behind me to feel easier in the years to come. “
