Madonna Responds to Aretha Franklin Tribute Backlash

Camila Cabello won the Moon Man trophies for artist of the year and video of the year for the song “Havana” at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs). Camila Cabello was contending with the rapper Drake and singer Childish Gambino. The Fifth Harmony singer, Cabello gave a “shout-out to all the amazing female artists this year” during her speech.

The artist also responded to the backlash following her tribute to Aretha Franklin at the MTV Video Music Awards, saying that it was not her intention to tribute her, but she was asked by MTV to “share any anecdotes” she had about the late singer. In an Instagram, post-Camila wrote, “Just to clarify: I was asked to present video of the year by MTV.”

She further added, “And then, they asked me to share any anecdotes I had in my career connected to Aretha Franklin. I shared a part of my journey and thanked Aretha for inspiring me along the way. I did not intend to do a tribute to her. That would be impossible in two minutes with all the noise and tinsel of an award show. I could never do her justice in this context or environment. Unfortunately, most people have short attention spans and are so quick to judge. I love Aretha!”

Eventually, many people took to the Twitter to criticize Madonna, on Monday night, for her words about Franklin. Franklin died at age 76, last week. After Madonna’s speech, in which she spoke about the origins of her own career and how a failed audition singing Franklin’s “(You make me feel like) a natural woman” launched her into pop stardom, Twitteratti roasted her for focusing on herself.