So, before going into the details of the controversy, allow me to talk a bit about the awesome performance of the 54-year-old Queen of Pop. It was one of my favorite live performances ever. The choreography, stage props, visuals, gimmicks, dancers, stunts and the oozing energy from Madonna really was something to be lucky to witness.
She sang a solid two hours and a half, with barely any break between each song, wardrobe and full-on stage reshuffle for each song. Grand pianos, marching bands and cheerleader outfits, guns and rifles, the show had everything. Among the songs that pleased the crowd the most and had everyone on their feet, was “Like a Prayer” which was towards the end, after the controversial mini-speech she gave about America and endorsed Barrack Obama for a second terms in the White House. Watch the short clip below.
Here’s a part of what she said
“Y’all better vote for f–king Obama, OK? For better or for worse, all right? We have a black Muslim in the White House. Now that’s some amazing s–t,” she said. “It means there is hope in this country. And Obama is fighting for gay rights, so support the man, goddamnit.”
Now, after a huge uproar about the comments and every far-right conservative jumping on the “black muslim” comment, Madonna later clarified she was being “…ironic on stage. Yes, I know Obama is not a Muslim – though I know that plenty of people in this country think he is. And what if he were? The point I was making is that a good man is a good man, no matter who he prays to. I don’t care what religion Obama is – nor should anyone else in America.”
The speech might’ve been a resonating yet unorthodox endorsement for Obama, with Madonna stripping down to her lingerie with the word “OBAMA” drawn on her lower back and saying “she would take it all off when Obama wins” right after suggesting Obama was the result of the accomplishments of American icons like Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr.
However, her “Black Muslim” comment threw off the astonished audience and gave the conservative media a field day, allowing them to revive and elaborate the rumors, which Obama himelf laid to rest several times, that he was a Muslim seeking to enforce Sharia Law on America. A farfetched conspiracy theory which still seems to rile up parts of the GOP conservative base.
Anyway, Madonna was crazy on that night, telling everyone she had had a little bit too much to drink. But, she delivered one hell of a show that did not fail to please at all. This is one extra thing to cross off my bucket list and tell my children about some day. Oh, and one of the perks was the guest appearance of Benny Benassi right before Madonna took to the stage, warming up for her. It was a complete surprise and one that made me scream like a little fangirl “WOOOOHOOOO! BENNY BENASSI”
