Madonna: Queen of controversy

Madonna used the Nazi swastika in depiction of party leader Marine Le Pen during a concert in Tel Aviv, Israel. PHOTO: YOUTUBE SCREENSHOT

Needless to say, this is not sitting well with Le Pen who has threatened to take legal action against the icon. Additionally in her recent concert in Abu Dhabi, Madonna ensured that the audience would remember this night forever; crosses and swastikas, an uncalled for dig at Lady Gaga, the ‘F’ word thrown around every now and then, young, practically nude models inappropriately touching an older, slower Madonna in a very racy costume — this was all there. Add to this waiting for what seemed like a thousand years in Abu Dhabi’s scorching heat with no apologies or explanation from the singer, however, we doubt the queen of pop is too worried as she has been involved in numerous controversies during her career, and it seems to have worked for her.

Scandal equals sales

Madonna’s album, Like a Prayer, and its title track was hugely publicised because of its music video which featured the singer dancing in a thin slip in front of a burning cross, statues crying blood and Madonna seducing a black Jesus. The hue and cry from religious groups was so much that Pepsi cancelled its sponsorship of her tour and the commercial she had done for them, but Madonna realised that people loved the scandal and sales went through the roof.

Vatican fury

During her “Confessions Tour” Madonna created havoc when she decided to stage a mock crucifixion for her performance in Rome. Catholic, Muslim and Jewish leaders united to condemn this decision which would see the diva wearing a fake crown of thorns and descending on a suspended, glittery cross, reported Daily Mail.

Songs that came in the spotlight

Of course Madonna has created a stir with the lyrics of her songs as well. In the early 1980s her song “Like a Virgin” was risque, to say the very least. Add to this that Madonna debuted the track at the first MTV awards, singing it while wearing a wedding gown while writhing on stage. Then came “Papa Don’t Preach”, a song that raised many eyebrows and was interpreted by many as an anti-abortion anthem, reports orlandosentinel.com.

Then in 1991, Madonna’s racy video for “Justify My Love”, complete with sadomasochism, bisexuality and nudity, was banned from MTV. However, the songstress used this to her benefit and released it as the first-ever VHS video single, making millions, reports hollywoodreporter.com.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 7^th, 2012.