VMAs 2018: Madonna's Aretha Franklin Tribute Slammed As 'Disrespectful,' 'Self-Indulgent'

Madonna is facing flak for her “disrespectful” tribute to Aretha Franklin at the MTV VMAs on Monday. Viewers felt her overlong speech was self-indulgent and the actual references to Franklin were almost nonexistent.

She began her speech by proclaiming “Aretha Franklin changed my life.” However, she went on to speak about her own attempts to break into a singing career.

“I left Detroit when I was 18. Thirty-five dollars in my pocket. My dream was to make it as a professional dancer. After years of struggling and being broke, I decided to go to audition for musical theatre; I heard the pay was better,” she said, adding, “I had no training or dreams ever, ever becoming a singer, but I went for it. I got cut and rejected from every audition. Not tall enough. Not blends-in enough. Not pretty enough, not enough, enough.”

"So I set up for the audition. Two large French record producers sat in the empty theatre, daring me to be amazing. The dance audition went well. They asked if I had sheet music and a song prepared. I panicked. I overlooked this important part of the process. I had to think fast. My next meal was on the line. Fortunately, one of my favorite albums was Lady Soul by Aretha Franklin.”

"I could see they didn't take me seriously. Why should they? Some skinny-ass while girl is going to come up here and belt out a song from one of the greatest soul singers ever, a cappella?” Madonna continued, Indy 100 reported.

She also spoke about “getting robbed, being held at gunpoint, and being mistaken for a prostitute in my third-floor walk-up that was a crack house.”

Toward the end, she pivoted back to Franklin and said, “None of [my success] would’ve happened, could’ve happened, without our Lady of Soul. She led me to where I am today. And I know she influenced so many people in this house tonight, in this room tonight. I want to thank you, Aretha, for empowering all of us: R-e-s-p-e-c-t. Long live the Queen.”

People slammed her for the tribute to one of the greatest singers of all time.

“You do not disrespect an ICON like that. This is a jovial kiki about Madonna’s broken ass journey. You honor a legend by telling their story or SHUT UP. The AUDACITY,” Television host, Nina Parker tweeted.

“I’m so lost. I thought Madonna was supposed to be paying homage to Aretha but I all heard was her paying homage to herself. HEAVY on the Mayonnaise,” Charlamagne Tha God, radio presenter tweeted.

Activist Alicia Garza said, “Whoever at the VMA let Madonna get on stage and give a tribute to Aretha Franklin or whatever that was really should be out of a job right about...now.”

Model Isis King also showed her displeasure by tweeting “Im sorry, I love Madonna...but her telling a 5 minute story about herself was not the right time to honor Aretha Franklin. Wow..... So shocked.”