Over the 8 years of its original run (plus the two reboot/revival seasons), Will & Grace has given us not only lots of laughs from the ‘fearsome foursome,’ but tons of great guest stars.
Patti LuPone, Rosie O’Donnell, Blythe Danner, Ellen DeGeneres, David Schwimmer, Matt Bomer and Adam Rippon have all dropped by the hit NBC series to take part in the hilarity.
After a huge backlash on social media about Madonna’s “tribute” last night on the MTV VMAs for recently deceased ‘Queen of Soul’ Aretha Franklin, the ‘Queen of Pop’ posted a clarification today on her social media explaining what happened.
To recap: Madonna took the stage to present the Video of the Year award with a huge photo of Franklin behind her.
But before the award, she launched into a long, seemingly disconnected remembrance about her early days and an audition where she sang an a cappella rendition of Franklin’s “Natural Woman” to get a gig as a backup for a French recording artist.
Turns out she got the gig, but returned home unfulfilled by the experience.
Madge appeared to bring the story to a close saying, “”You are probably all wondering why I am telling you this story. There is a connection, because none of this would have happened—could have 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. And I want to thank you, Aretha, for empowering all of us. R-E-S-P-E-C-T.”
But then there was one more anecdote to add about losing a shoe at the 1984 VMAs. Still not sure about that one.
In any case, today Madonna posted a photo of herself along with Video of the Year winner, Camila Cabello (for “Havana”). She also shared that her speech about Aretha was not meant to be a “tribute.”
“They asked me to share any anecdotes I had in my career connected to Aretha Franklin,” wrote Madonna. “I shared a part of my journey and thanked Aretha for inspiring me along the way.”
Madge added, though, “ 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,” she continued. “I could never do her justice in this context or environment.”
The newly-minted 60-year-old went on to say she loves Aretha, she loves Camilla, and she loves the dress she wore last night.
• Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh pushed for some very graphic questions during the Whitewater investigation that led to Bill Clinton’s impeachment.
• Madonna got trolled something bad for attempting to honor Aretha Franklin at last night’s MTV Video Music Awards but ended up talking about herself more than anything. Never before has the word “I” been used so many times in a tribute to someone else. Watch from Billboard News below.
Madge offered something of a Mea Culpa this moring:
As we lost our indisputable “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin, the two “Queens of Pop” – Janet Jackson and Madonna – dropped new music videos that are singularly unique to the two artists visual and musical style.
Jackson teamed with oh-so-sexy Daddy Yankee for her latest music video, “Made For Now.”
Visually reminiscent of “When I Think of You” and “Escapade,” the video (directed by Dave Meyers) is classic Janet as she celebrates among the folks of Brooklyn appearing all over the NYC borough in bold, high-style fashion.
Featured throughout are a mélange of international dancers that hail from Nigeria, Ghana, Grenada, Trinidad and the U.S.
In an interview with iHeartRadio, Jackson shared she’s “always loved Latin music, and obviously, the African music is there and always been an influence.”
“Coming from what Daddy Yankee does in reggaeton, it’s inspiration,” she added. “It’s reggae music, which brings you back to the African vibe, the whole bit. It was really nice working with him,” Jackson said.
Jackson and Yankee also performed the song live on The Tonight Show marking her first late-night appearance in 14 years.
Watch below.
Madonna released a stunning, long-form music video from her performance at the MET Gala earlier this year.
The video begins with bold, dynamic visions of religious imagery and Gregorian chanting leading into, of course, “Like a Virgin.”
After making her way down a huge stairway, Madge and company do a quick costume change at the 6:05 mark as she launches into “Beautiful Game.”
After a choreographed assault by her dancers that leaves her prone of the steps of the MET, the Queen of Pop performs Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” while slowly making her exit.
The dramatic final frames of the video (would we expect anything less?) focus on a concrete angel with the rumbling of thunder in the distance.
Quite the message.
Watch Madonna and company below.
In related Madonna news, can we say god bless the gay DJs?
The new Cher cover of ABBA’s “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” dropped last week and within 24 hours DJ Alex Simpson, based in Toronto, shared his fierce remix of Cher’s new track and Madonna’s 2005 hit “Hung Up,” which samples the ABBA classic.
I believe this is, technically, the first time the two divas have sung together before…?
From her 1984 MTV Awards performance of “Like A Virgin,” to the controversial “Like A Prayer,” the now iconic “Vogue,” the empowering “Express Yourself” and envelope pushing (at the time) “Justify My Love,” Madonna has always and continues to hold our attention.
While not a “power” vocalist, her voice does have the power to connect with us; and she’s a skilled lyricist and songwriter.
Plus, no one understands the power of style and reinvention better than Madge.
It bears mentioning that Madonna has been a potent and vocal ally for the LGBT community from the start – speaking out for equality and the AIDS crisis before it was in “vogue” to do so (you saw what I did there, right?).
I picked some of my favorite Madonna music videos below. Some are about the songs; some I enjoy for the visuals; and some for the change in direction they represent for her career.
Pop queen Madonna sent her best wishes to the LGBTQ community on Sunday for Pride Month.
Via Instagram, Madge thanked “every gay boy that taught me a new dance, how to dress, how to drag” and more.
“Until I can Share MY music……. I’m sending Love from Lisbon! 🌈💕🌈💕🌈💕missing NY and the fierceness of the LGBT community that gave me life from the moment I landed there!! For Me, Pride Month is every month! This 👑 Bows down to every Gay Boy that taught me a. New dance, how to dress, how to drag, how to slay, To stand tall in the face of adversity, to not give up hope, to own my inner bitch and to love my flaws! 🌈🎉🌈🎉🌈🎉 #loveislove #gratitude #pride 🌈 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈”
Madonna and the gay community have been a mutual admiration society for decades. In a 2010 appearance on ELLEN, the queen of pop proudly declared, “I wouldn’t have a career if it weren’t for the gay community.”
Thanks to Matt Rettenmund of Boy Culture, who knows all things Madonna, for finding the intersectionality of a recent social media post by Madge and one of my favoritest moments in movie history.
Inspired by this tweet earlier this week following the Met Gala:
Literally one of my favorite moments ever from a film – from Postcards from the Edge between Oscar winners Meryl Streep and Shirley MacLaine – “It TWIRLED up!”
• Happy, happy birthday to Nyle DiMarco! The DWTS/ANTM champ turns 29 today! The handsome model and actor is currently working as a producer on Broadway repping the revival of the hit play, Children of a Lesser God.
• Madonna served up fashion in a dramatic vein last night at the annual Met Gala where she sang “Like A Prayer,” “Hallelujah” and debuted a new song apparently titled, “Magic.” The theme for the evening was Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.
• House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi says if there are Democratic House candidates who want to say they won’t support her as House Speaker, she’s fine with it. “I think if they have to do that to win the election, I’m all for it. Just win, baby.”
• Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s team has questioned a Russian oligarch about hundreds of thousands of dollars in payments funneled through his company to President Donald Trump’s personal attorney, Michael Cohen, after the election. #RuhRoh #DidHeSayRussia?
• The new interim memorial for the victims and survivors of the Pulse Nightclub shooting was unveiled today in Orlando, Florida. This tribute will remain until a permanent memorial can be built.
Preview of the interim memorial at Pulse nightclub. It will be open to the public starting at 3pm. pic.twitter.com/RlPxGu8Mov
