The End of a Long-Standing Feud
Madonna and Elton John have “finally buried the hatchet” regarding their long-term rivalry.
For many years, the two were embroiled in a public dispute that began when John criticized her title track for the James Bond film Umiriya Is Another, labeling it the “worst Bond melody.”
He later accused her of “lip-syncing” during her live performances in 2007 and reignited animosity during Madonna’s Super Bowl performance in 2012 by referencing her use of “GIP-Synch Good.”
That same year, he referred to her as a “stripper fair” and claimed that “her career was over,” critiquing her for suggesting “Born This Way” was inspired by her work. Despite their differences, Madonna won a Golden Globe for Best Original Song that year, where she expressed admiration for John, saying: “(John) is brilliant, and I adore him, so he will win another award. I’m not that bad.”
Reconciliation on Instagram
Now, Madonna took to Instagram to announce that the duo has reconciled after she bumped into him backstage during his appearance on Saturday Night Live.
Reflections and Forgiveness
“I went to see @eltonjohn perform on SNL this weekend!! Wow,” she wrote in her post. “I remembered when I was in high school – one night I left home to see Elton perform live in Detroit! It was an unforgettable experience that highlighted the transformative power of music.
“Watching him perform back then changed the course of my life. I always felt like an outsider, and seeing him on stage helped me realize that being different was essential to standing out. It was a pivotal moment for me.”
She continued, “For decades, it hurt to know that someone I admired publicly expressed animosity towards me as an artist. I didn’t understand it. But when I learned Elton was a musical guest on SNL, I decided to go.”
“I felt compelled to return backstage and confront him. When I met him, the first words out of his mouth were, ‘Forgive me,’ and in that moment, the wall between us came down.”
Madonna added, “In just a few minutes, we hugged. Then he told me he had written a song for me and wanted to collaborate. It felt like coming full circle!”
John also shared a heartfelt response to Madonna in the comments of her post.
“Thank you for coming to see me on SNL,” he began. “And thank you for forgiving me and my big mouth. I am not proud of what I said. Especially when I think about all the groundbreaking work you’ve done as an artist – paving the way for an entire generation of female artists to find success and stay true to themselves. You were also one of the very first people to advocate against HIV/AIDS in the 80s, bringing love and compassion to countless those who needed it.”
John continued, “I’m grateful we can move forward together. I’m increasingly upset by all the divisions in our world today. Both of us have been openly accepted by communities at risk globally, and I hope we can do great things for those who truly need support. And it wouldn’t be the same without the joy of doing it together.”
Later that night, John also joined Brandi Carlile in performing “Little Richard’s Bible” and “Whoever Believes in Angels.”
Patti LaBelle also fondly recalled how John couldn’t return her Tupperware after she cooked for him back in the 1960s.
In the meantime, Madonna recently shared an emotional letter on social media, explaining why she “is not afraid of death.”
https://www.nme.com/news/music/madonna-and-elton-john-end-their-long-running-feud-we-finally-buried-the-hatchet-3852654?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=madonna-and-elton-john-end-their-long-running-feud-we-finally-buried-the-hatchet
