On Monday evening we celebrated another MTV Video Music Awards show, the event popping up mere days after the legendary Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, passed away at the age of 76. So it would make sense that the VMAs would scramble to make sure that Miss Aretha was properly recognized.
Except ... for some reason, somebody thought it was a good idea to give Madonna—who celebrated her 60th birthday on the day of Franklin’s death—the task of paying tribute to the Queen.
Damn if Madonna didn’t go peak white woman during her tribute, making the time that should have been taken to honor the legacy of Aretha all about her and her struggles instead. (Also, WTF was she wearing?)
Maddona rambled on about the early struggles in her own career, before telling the crowd that it was only when she sang Franklin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” at an audition that she had a breakthrough.
“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 night. In this room tonight. And I want to thank you, Aretha, for empowering all of us,” she said.
Like, damn, sis.
Needless to say, Twitter was merciless in dragging her and MTV.
Honestly, there was any number of other decidedly black artists that could have paid tribute and would have done it better. Was Jennifer Hudson not available? Beyoncé? Anybody whose name is not Madonna?