Madonna Defends Her Aretha Franklin Speech At 2018 VMAs

Madonna has hit back at critics of her speech about the late Aretha Franklin at the MTV Video Music Awards show, saying she had been asked only to share an anecdote about the late Queen of Soul.

The Rebel Heart singer sparked a backlash with a 10-minute speech focused mostly on her own early career at Monday's live show, which organisers had said would pay honour and tribute to Franklin four days after her death at age 76.

"I was asked to present video of the year by MTV! And then they asked me to share any anecdotes I had in my career connected to Aretha Franklin!" Madonna said in an Instagram posting on Tuesday.

"I did not intend to do a tribute to her! That would be impossible in 2 minutes with all the noise and tinsel of an award show. I could never do her justice in this context or environment."

The only other mention of Franklin during the almost three-hour show from New York was a brief video clip of her singing early in her career, and the playing of R.E.S.P.E.C.T over the closing credits.

@MTV needs to issue an apology for that AWFUL #VMAs tribute to Aretha Franklin
— Mr. Davon Hamilton (@DavonHamilton) August 21, 2018

They knew better than to let Madonna be on that stage for 10 minutes doing a "Tribute" to to the legendary ARETHA FRANKLIN!!!, talking about herself the entire time. #VMAs #MTVVMAS @MTV
— CartèQu (@Quen10Carter) August 21, 2018

MTV did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.

Madonna was criticised for self-indulgence when she recalled her early days as an aspiring singer and dancer, including one audition where she performed an a cappella version of Franklin's hit song (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.

She made no comment about Franklin's own career.

Co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, Alicia Garza tweeted: "Whoever at the #VMAs let Madonna get on stage and give a tribute to @ArethaFranklin or whatever that was really should be out of a job right about...now."

Whoever at the #VMAs let Madonna get on stage and give a tribute to @ArethaFranklin or whatever that was really should be out of a job right about...now.
— Alicia Garza (@aliciagarza) August 21, 2018

I need some sage. They just whited Aretha and she ain’t even cold yet. I hope she sends a thunderbolt to strike this blasphemy down. #VMAs
— Alicia Garza (@aliciagarza) August 21, 2018

Further, the AUDACITY OF THIS CAUCASITY is really too much to bear. I’m pretty sure Smokey Robinson or Stevie Wonder was available. But no. Y’all let that woman drone on and on about HERSELF while looking like the same rack at Cost Plus World Market. Have several seats #VMAs
— Alicia Garza (@aliciagarza) August 21, 2018