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Madonna Fan In Wheelchair Defends Getting Called Out For Not Standing Up During Concert

Vanessa Gorman spoke to 'TMZ' about getting called out by Madonna for not standing up during her concert, and she assured everyone she wasn't offended despite the backlash.

Split screen of a photo of a Madonna and her dancers and a screenshot of her calling out the fan from viral video
Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Live Nation/Getty Images; @PopCrave/X

Just over a week ago, a video showing Madonna calling out a concertgoer who was in a wheelchair for not standing up during her show went viral after people on social media were swift with the backlash.

During her Celebration Tour stop at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena, the singer was met with a standing ovation.

She, however, realized that one particular fan wasn't participating and addressed it, yelling:

"What are you doing sitting down over there?"

When the singer walked to the edge of the stage to get a closer look, she realized the attendee was in a wheelchair.

She then added:

“Oh, okay, politically incorrect; sorry about that."
“I’m glad you’re here.”

You can watch below.

And while viewers of the video were quick to criticize Madge for being insensitive...


... the fan at the center of all the attention, Vanessa Gorman, wasn't offended at all.

In fact, she told TMZ that she was pretty shocked when the exchange took place, but mostly because she was in a bright pink wheelchair and thought Madonna would have noticed it.

Gorman also added that she didn't even know Madonna was speaking to her at first. And then when she did realize the question was targeted at her, she became more starstruck than anything else.

Gorman, who is a paraplegic from a motor vehicle accident in 1999, said she was not offended at all and truly believed the singer made an honest mistake.

"Some people are in wheelchairs and can stand -- she had no idea I was paralyzed."

While people on social media appreciated Gorman speaking out on the incident, they still felt Madonna never should have made the comment in the first place.






Others, however, agreed Madonna made an honest mistake and applauded the singer for apologizing as soon as she realized Gorman was in a wheelchair.




Gorman told TMZ she thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the concert.

We're happy she set the record straight but even more so that she had a blast!