Madonna has addressed the backlash she faced about her appearance at the Grammys on Sunday night.
The Queen of Pop, 64, introduced Sam Smithand Kim Petras ahead of their performance of Unholy, but it was her face that swiftly became the talking point.
'What happened to Madonna? She’s almost become unrecognisable,' was one remark. 'I know she’s gotten older, but that’s not it. She looks like a different person!'
'What is she teaching younger people other than not to embrace ageing and continually needing to get face work done?' another mused.
Voicing concern, a third penned, 'I feel so sad for her, she can’t possibly think this looks good. I honestly think there’s something else going on here.'
While others have sided with the icon and expressed their support, Madonna took to Instagram yesterday to address the criticism for the first time.
She began the reel by saying it was an 'honour' to introduce Sam and Kim, continuing, 'I wanted to give the last award which was album of the year, but I thought it was more important that I present the first trans-woman performing at the Grammys - a history-making moment!! And on top of that she won a Grammy!! ♥️'
The second paragraph explored her frustration that the content of her speech was overshadowed by the influx of negative comments.
She continued, 'Instead of focusing on what I said in my speech - which was about giving thanks for the fearlessness of artists like Sam and Kim - many people chose to only talk about close-up photos of me taken with a long lens camera by a press photographer that would distort anyone’s face!!'
The Holiday singer accused the world of 'refusing to celebrate women past the age of 45', venting that it 'feels the need to punish her' if she continues to be 'strong-willed, hard-working and adventurous'.
'Once again I am caught in the glare of ageism and misogyny that permeates the world we live in,' she wrote.
In the next defiant paragraph, Madonna vowed, 'I have never apologised for any of the creative choices I have made nor the way that I look or dress and I’m not going to start. I have been degraded by the media since the beginning of my career but I understand that this is all a test and I am happy to do the trailblazing so that all the women behind me can have an easier time in the years to come.'
She proceeded to quote Beyonce: 'You won't break my soul', before rounding off, 'I look forward to many more years of subversive behaviour - pushing boundaries, standing up to the patriarchy and most of all enjoying my life.
'Bow down bitches!'
She also tweeted, 'The world is threatened by my power and my stamina. My intelligence and my will to survive.
But they will never break me. This is all the test.'
DJ Honey Dijon was amongst those rushing to support Madonna, praising, 'What an honour and a blessing it is to be in your presence. You are such a force and I have so much love and respect for you. 🥰'
Meanwhile, Kim left a slew of hearts, as another wrote, 'You are THE blueprint. The real ones respect your message. You are beauty and strength. Thank you for ALL you’ve done and continue to do. Much love!!!'