5. Five of her music videos have been banned
Given Madonna’s provocative nature, it’s not surprising that some of her music videos, including “Like a Prayer” and “American Life,” have been banned. In 1990, “Justify My Love” was banned because of its displays of sadomasochism, bisexuality, and androgyny. Two years later, the same fate met “Erotica,” where Madonna orchestrated scenes with Naomi Campbell and Big Daddy Kane as a dominatrix. It was only aired three times, all after 10pm. In 2001, “What It Feels Like For a Girl” was also banned for its violence and drug use. The video was directed by her then-husband Ritchie.
4. She simulated masturbation in the Blond Ambition Tour in 1990
We’re still grappling with the concept of women expressing their sexuality, so imagine how the world reacted when Madonna simulated masturbation for millions of people to see. That’s what she did in 1990, when she performed the classic “Like a Virgin” for the Blond Ambition Tour. The Church of England and the pope has criticized the performance, but Madonna soldiered on, even if she was threatened to be arrested in Canada. The tour opened to rave reviews, with Rolling Stone calling it an “elaborately choreographed, sexually provocative extravaganza.” The magazine also also dubbed the tour as the greatest tour of the ’90s.
3. Madonna posed nude even before leaks were a thing
Back before she became the Queen of Pop, Madonna posed nude for a photography class in New York to support herself. In 1985, the photos were leaked to Penthouse and Playboy. Today’s stars would have completely ignored the issue or denied it, but Madonna, ever the provocative star, responded with “I’m not ashamed.” A front cover of a newspaper featuring the statement has been turned into an artwork by Keith Haring.
2. Madonna published the coffeetable book Sex… in 1992
Before stars were coming out with their own books, Madonna collaborated with famed photographer Steven Meisel for Sex, a coffeetable book featuring erotic photographs. The photos showed Madonna as Mistress Dita (decades before Beyonce’s Sasha Fierce and Gaga’s Jo Calderone) with her friends Isabella Rosselini, Naomi Campbell, Vanilla Ice, Big Daddy Kane, and others in compromising positions. It was received negatively upon its release, but 150,000 copies were sold on the first day and remains to be one of the most sought-after and best-selling coffeetable books. The book was launched the day after the Erotica album, which focused on sex and romance.
1. She kissed Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera in a performance
In 2003, pop music had Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, two icons who were vying for the position of Princess of Pop. So how did Madonna deal with it? She sang “Hollywood” and “Like a Virgin” with them at the MTV VMAs… and kissed them both. The whole world was shocked, including Britney’s then-boyfriend Justin Timberlake.
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