Madonna, the Queen of Pop, has long made herself known as a provocative and unpredictable performer. Last Friday night, at the Art Basel event in Miami, the famous Material Girl turned heads with a performance that took aim at recent developments in America, including the recent election of Donald Trump as president.
The event, which took place at Miami Beach’s Faena Forum, is a fundraiser that pulls in some of the most affluent and influential names. (Considering the $5,000 ticket price tag, this isn’t much of a surprise). Madonna was able to raise $7.5 million through auctioning personal goods for her charity, Raising Malawi. The highlight was her performance, which could be best described as “unpredictable.”
Wearing an outfit that looked like if Nicki Minaj decided to become a clown, Madonna had pink hair, a pink top, striped leggings, and a tiny top hat. It might have seemed humorous, but in her set, she addressed some very serious matters.
Addressing the recent election of Trump as president of the United States, Madonna was not too subtle. She performed a cover of a pop hit by another superstar, Britney Spear’s “Toxic” which she dedicated to Trump.
She also spoke out in support of those protesting at Standing Rock, against the Dakota Access pipeline. Regarding the negative treatment of Native American protesters, Madonna offered very choice words.
“It just really makes me feel ashamed, ashamed to be an American, ashamed to be a human being really,” Madonna said.
Among the pieces being auctioned by Madonna included pieces from her own art collection, a Bulgari diamond necklace, and photos from her marriage to actor Sean Penn, from whom she divorced in 1989.
Penn was in attendance at the event and took part in one of the most memorable moments of the entire evening. As part of a prearranged performance, Penn handcuffed his ex-wife, who announced “I’m still in love with you. In fact, I think I love you more now that we’re divorced,” Madonna said to Penn.
Among the other famous names in the crowd at Miami Beach were James Corden, Leonardo DiCaprio, Paris Hilton, Ariana Grande, Chris Rock, and Dave Chappelle. While all famous, none of been as famous for as long as Madonna has, and it’s arguable if any of them would be able to turn heads the same way Madonna continues to do, decades into her career. At this point, it is clear that Madonna is less of a pop music singer than a pop cultural icon, period.
