While many-a-viewer was praying Madonna would find and stay on the right key while performing her legendary hit, ‘Like a Prayer,’ at the 2019 Eurovision Songwriting Contest yesterday (May 18), others scolded the diva for stirring controversy during her musical medley.
As we reported here, before the Pop icon’s performance was even confirmed for the showing the rumor alone was greeted with protests from pro-Palestinian activists who were pressuring companies, performers, and more to disengage from Israel as this year’s contest, the 64th annual, was hosted in Tel Aviv.
Madge shrugged off protests and argued her performance would be used to promote unity. It did everything but.
Madonna’s Eurovision performance, in which two of her dancers wore Israeli and Palestinian flags on their backs (as seen above), incited fury among audience members and viewers as the contest was aired to a whopping 200 million viewers. Among the offended, Israeli culture and sport Minister Miri Regev has made headlines for slamming the incident.
Branding the occurrence an ‘error,’ she went on to say:
“I think you shouldn’t involve politics in a cultural or musical event like this. I think it was a mistake and inappropriate, and with all due respect to Madonna things like that shouldn’t happen,” Regev told reporters.
The sentiment echoes statements from the European Broadcast Union, or EBU, who claim Madonna had not cleared that part of the act with broadcasters and “was advised as to the non-political nature of the event.”
In fact, reports have it consequences are being considered for the infraction. Until they are confirmed, click here to see the Queen of Pop’s Eurovision performance in full.
[main photo source: ORIT PNINI/ISRAELI BROADCASTING UNION/HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (10240701f)]
She has always used controversy to sell records,come on now. This is just her plan to get publicity for her new record. I hope it works for her. Maybe she can finally get a charting single from the new album
Even if she does it won’t chart in America because Eurovision doesn’t air there
Yes we get the press but not really
Exactly, folks acting like this isn’t Madonna’s method of operation since the beginning of her career. Just once I’d like to see her sell a record without using controversy and media wh0ring. Honestly I don’t think she would even know how at this point.
She always doing too DA/\/\N much. Sit your old A$$ Down somewhere ??
Oh, poor zionists crying as usual…
I don’t think there’s much controversy there. The message is clear and simple : PEACE. The only thing that could be considered controversial is the fact she did it in Israel.
I know the contest is apolitical, but the message was plain and simple. People are making a big deal out of it.
It’s an apartheid state. So they have no interest in hearing about peace.
She did this exact same type of religious controversy 30 years ago when she released “Like A Prayer”. This whole mess is not a coincidence.
She should have listened to the calls to boycott. It’s 2019 and any message supposedly promoting peace and unity is going to be looked down on in Israel.