At Sunday night's Grammy Awards, pop icon Madonna took the stage to introduce Sam Smith and Kim Petras performing their Grammy-award-winning song "Unholy." You know, the "evil" performance that caused conservatives to lose their minds.
What was a much-anticipated honor for Madonna turned out to be the focus of "ageism" and "misogynistic" criticism according to the "Material Girl" singer.
Madonna, who attended the event sporting braided pigtails, became the victim of online bullying by everyone from Twitter users to a Fox News contributor who referred to her as "the face formerly known as Madonna."
Madonna took to Instagram to share her disappointment, but she first described what the moment should have been about.
"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!"
"And on top of that she won a Grammy!!"
She then continued by addressing the ageist comments.
"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!!"
"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 past the age of 45 and feels the need to punish her if she continues to be strong willed, hard-working and adventurous."
Petras herself responded with hearts to Madonna's post.
@madonna/Instagram
Others followed suit and supported the singer's statements.
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@madonna/Instagram
@madonna/Instagram
@madonna/Instagram
@madonna/Instagram
@madonna/Instagram
@madonna/Instagram
Madonna continued her post by stating her unapologetic stance on her image.
"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 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."
"In the words of Beyoncé, "You won't break my soul."
She finished:
"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*tches!"
Queen.
