Madonna has been at the center of criticism in recent weeks after her appearance at the 2023 Grammy Awards sparked a conversation about plastic surgery and ageism. In response, the 64-year-old pop star took to social media to joke about the situation, making light of the criticism that she has received. “Look how cute I am now that swelling from surgery has gone down. Lol,” Madonna wrote in a Twitter post, alongside a new photo of herself. In the image, the singer is seen wearing ripped jeans, a black shirt, and a baseball cap.
Look how cute i am now that swelling from surgery has gone down. Lol đ pic.twitter.com/jd8hQyi2Az
â Madonna (@Madonna) February 20, 2023
Madonna’s appearance at the Grammys was not her first time being criticized for her looks. Over the years, the Material Girl singer has faced numerous negative comments about her appearance and actions. In fact, she has been known for pushing boundaries in both her music and her personal life. However, the criticism that she received following her appearance at the Grammys seemed to go beyond what she was accustomed to. Social media users claimed that her face was “covered in plastic surgery” and suggested that she “should focus on aging gracefully,” as reported by Insider .
Madonna responded to the criticism in an Instagram post, writing: “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.” The singer continued, saying that she was caught in the “glare of ageism and misogyny that permeates the world we live in.” Madonna pointed out that women over the age of 45 are often not celebrated in society and that she had been “degraded by the media since the beginning of my career.” Despite the criticism, Madonna stated that she was not going to apologize for her creative choices or the way she looks and dresses.
“I am happy to do the trailblazing so that all the women behind me can have an easier time in the years to come,” Madonna said. She ended her message with lyrics from BeyoncĂ©’s song Don’t Hurt Yourself : “You won’t break my soul.” Madonna’s response to the criticism she received has been praised by her fans, who have rallied behind her in support. The conversation around ageism and misogyny in the entertainment industry has been ongoing, and Madonna’s message has brought attention to the issue once again.
The Daily Mail recently reported that Madonna also expressed her disdain for the critics by wearing a denim-on-denim outfit and striking a posing storm on Instagram stories, with the caption, “Most Definitely Not Sorry.” In an industry where youth and beauty are valued over talent and experience, older female artists are often overlooked and forgotten. However, Madonna has been a trailblazer in the music industry for over four decades, paving the way for other women to follow in her footsteps.
Despite the challenges that she has faced, Madonna has remained an influential figure in the music industry, continuing to push boundaries and challenge societal norms. Her impact has been felt not only in the music world, but also in fashion, art, and culture as a whole. As Madonna continues to face criticism for her appearance and actions, her resilience and determination remain an inspiration to many.