Madonna Criticises Viewers' 'Ageism & Misogyny' Following Her Grammys Appearance

Madonna wanted to present the Album Of The Year award at this year's Grammy ceremony, however, she felt it was more important to introduce the first-ever transgender woman to perform on the Grammy stage and win the award for Best Pop Vocal for a Duo - Kim Petras, in an electrifying version of Unholy with collaborator Sam Smith.

When Madonna was introducing the Unholy performance, some viewers seemed overly focused on the Like A Prayer singer's face. "I really wish Madonna never touched her face. There really was no reason. She was going to age beautifully.  She's always been beautiful," one viewer tweeted. Another said, "Madonna doesn't even look like Madonna. Who was that? So awkward."

These comments, featured in a New York Post article, have drawn the ire of Madonna, who has fired back on Instagram, blasting comments she thinks are rooted in "ageism and misogyny".

Her Instagram reel is a montage featuring Kim Petras, Sam Smith, Cardi B and others backstage at the Grammy awards. She wrote:

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!!

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.

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 Beyonce “ You-won’t break my soul”,

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 bitches 

"Madonna has previously addressed gendered ageism and the way it functions to invalidate women's credibility," The Music's Cyclone Wehner wrote in the feature, Madonna Is Many Things & Her Age Isn't One Of Them. 

"Accepting Billboard's Woman of the Year award in 2016, the superstar delivered a raw speech about her experiences with misogyny. She emphasised, too, how female artists are punished for ageing. "You will be criticised, you will be vilified, and you will definitely not be played on the radio." Madonna concluded wryly, 'People say I'm controversial. But I think the most controversial thing I have ever done is to stick around.'"