Madonna responds to backlash over ‘new face’ at Grammys: ‘I have been degraded’
“Bow down bitches! 💃🏼🪩🎤💄🎼👠”
Madonna took to social media on Tuesday to slam the internet’s strong reaction to her “unrecognizable” face at the 2023 Grammys.
The singer, 64, explained that she had been excited to present Sam Smith and Kim Petras (who became the first transwoman to perform at the award ceremony and win a Grammy) ahead of their “history-making performance” for “Unholy” but instead, people chose to focus on her looks.
The Material Girl explained, “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!!”
“Once again I am caught in the glare of ageism and misogyny that permeates the world we live in. A world that refuses to celebrate women pass [sic] the age of 45 And feels the need to punish her If she continues to be strong-willed, hard-working, and adventurous.”
Madonna went on to say that she has “never apologized for any of the creative choices” she’s made nor the way she looks or dresses — and she won’t start now.
“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 continued before quoting Beyoncé’s “BREAK MY SOUL.”
The controversial singer told her fans that she looks “forward to many more years of subversive behavior -pushing boundaries-Standing up to the patriarchy -and Most of all enjoying my life.”
Along with her unapologetic rant, Madonna shared a behind-the-scenes look at her shenanigans at the Grammys, which included making rude gestures with Sam Smith, posing with Cardi B, and showing off her lacey bra. She even tongue-kissed songwriter Jozzy.
Her post comes after fans expressed their concern for the singer when they could barely recognize her at the Grammys.
However, a source told The Post that Madonna’s shocking appearance comes from the singer’s desire to resemble her 2000s heyday — but in trying to stop the aging, she’s making herself almost unrecognizable.
Plastic surgeons previously told Page Six they believe she’s had a facelift, nose job, and “pulled back” skin — among other work.
While the musical legend has never publicly addressed rumors of plastic surgery, the performer said in 2012, “I am certainly not against plastic surgery. However, I am absolutely against having to discuss it.”
Bam Margera and Priscilla Presley grabbed lunch together amid difficult times in both of their lives — but the pairing isn’t as bizarre as you might think.
The troubled “Jackass” star, who is friends with Presley’s son Navarone Garcia, posted two snaps from the outing to his Instagram Tuesday.
“Lunch with prescilla [sic] Presley,” he captioned the first selfie, while the second flick showed the 77-year-old looking at photos of Margera’s 5-year-old son, Phoenix.
The casual lunch date — which seemingly took place at someone’s house — comes amid a very tumultuous time for both Margera and Presley.
Priscilla and Elvis Presley’s only daughter, Lisa Marie, passed away last month and the matriarch has been engulfed in a legal war ever since.
After Lisa Marie was laid to rest next to her famous father and late son, Priscilla challenged a “purported 2016 amendment” to her daughter’s will that ousted her as a trustee.
The businesswoman asked a judge to determine the validity of the amendment — which named Lisa Marie’s eldest daughter, Riley Keough, the beneficiary — after arguing the signature seemed inaccurate.
However, sources close to the late singer-songwriter slammed Priscilla for trying to get more money out of her daughter’s tragic death.
“It’s strictly a money grab,” an insider told Page Six. “She had no relationship with Priscilla, [her ex-husband] Michael Lockwood or her half-brother [Garibaldi].”
Meanwhile, Margera — who has been in and out of rehab for years — has reportedly relapsed amid his sobriety journey.
After the 43-year-old went on a social media rant while allegedly under the influence last week, his friend Steve-O begged him to “choose recovery” for the sake of his family.
“Bam, last night you had your five year old son with you on stage at my show, and you were blessed with the chance to spend another day or two with him — then as soon as you left my show, you stayed up all night getting loaded…” Steve-O wrote in a now-deleted comment.
“You say you want to have a relationship with your son, but your actions guarantee the exact opposite will happen,” he continued.
“I wish you could know how much I’ve hated feeling braced for news of your death, but you’re making it clear that I have no other choice.”
Hopefully, Priscilla and Margera can lean on each other these days.
“Real Housewives of Orange County” alum Gretchen Rossi is mourning the “unbearable” loss of her stepson Grayson Alexander, who died on Sunday at age 22.
The former reality TV star, 44, took to Instagram on Tuesday to reveal the heartbreaking news following his long battle with brain cancer.
“Our rational minds told us this day might come, but our hearts always held onto the hope that this day would not come to fruition 💔,” she began her post, which was made up of pictures of Grayson with his dad, Slade Smiley, 49.
“We are beyond devastated and heartbroken over the loss off Gray. 😔 Grayson Arroyo-Smiley was such a special human being. He was an Angel on this earth and an incredible warrior…a warrior like no one has ever seen before. He fought everyday through his pain and discomfort to find joy in the smallest of things. He was always singing & dancing & laughing despite his circumstances.”
She went on to describe him as a “true beacon of light and hope,” noting that “he made an incredible impact on so many people.”
The mom of one continued, “The Lord knew his life had purpose and would touch many along the way. We are forever grateful for the many lessons learned from this little man, and will miss his beautiful spirit immensely.”
She further asked for “the Lord [to] hold him in his hands, renew his broken body, and give him life again 🙏🏻.”
“This isn’t goodbye but rather see you soon little man…..We love you Grayson. You will forever be in our hearts ❤️,” she concluded the post which was a joint statement from her, Smiley and their daughter, Skylar Gray.
Rossi and Smiley — who have been together for 13 years — share daughter Skylar Gray, 3, whom they welcomed after a lengthy IVF journey. Her middle name is actually in honor of Grayson.
Grayson’s mom and Smiley’s ex-wife, Michelle Arroyo, also confirmed the news on her social media, giving more information about his passing.
Arroyo — who also shares son Gavin, 29, with Smiley — told her followers that his death was “unexpected” as “he was doing much better” after he battled fevers, infections and low potassium, which “most likely took a toll on my sweet boys heart.”
She detailed, however, that on Sunday, “his heart stopped here at home” and she performed “chest compressions to get it going until the paramedics arrived and took over.”
They managed to bring him back and “when he left for the hospital he looked good and was breathing on his own but his heart gave out again at the hospital.”
She added, “I’m still in shock and going through the motions of dealing with all the details. I know Gray is playing cards with Gramma and playing Trouble with our beloved Diane. His dog Mo is right at his side as he never left him.”
Rossi appeared in “RHOC” from Season 4 to Season 8.
The only thing Teresa Giudice would change about her wedding to Luis “Louie” Ruelas is the guest list.
The “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star wished her co-star Margaret Josephs would’ve skipped her nuptials entirely rather than leave early in support of Melissa and Joe Gorga.
“If she was supporting Melissa, she should have never came at all,” the OG of Jersey, 50, told E! News on Monday. She noted that newbie Rachel Fuda actually told her she would be missing the big day due to the drama.
“That’s what a true friend really does, not just try to come, of course, to not miss an epic wedding of the year for a photo op and then leave,” she added. “If you support your friend, she shouldn’t have came at all.”
Nevertheless, Giudice said the big day was everything she hoped for.
“I only wanted people to be there that wanted to be there,” she continued. “And I really felt the love in the room. Louie and I, everybody that was there, we felt the love. It was so amazing, it really was.”
Unlike Josephs, the Gorgas skipped the lavish wedding back in August after an explosive fight broke out between them and Giudice while filming the “RHONJ” Season 13 finale.
Things reportedly got heated after Giudice repeated rumors about Melissa cheating on Joe with longtime friend Nick Barrotta, which the couple vehemently denied.
A few months after the wedding, Josephs got candid about why she chose to leave the festivities during a live taping of Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” podcast.
“I tried to do the best for all parties involved,” she explained. “I wanted to be supportive of Teresa, but Melissa and Joe weren’t there, and I’m so close with them, and I couldn’t dance the night away knowing my closest friends are not doing well.”
The drama surely has the cast divided with newcomer Danielle Cabral telling us she thinks Giudice will be “vindicated” after fans see her side of the story.
“I cannot wait for … that narrative to come out and for you guys to see what really happened,” she teased to Page Six. “Because everybody’s got it wrong.”
“The Real Housewives of New Jersey” Season 13 premieres Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.
Meet Rome Valentin.
Jenna Johnson took to social media to reveal her newborn son’s face and name after giving birth on Jan. 10.
“Rome Valentin Chmerkovskiy ,” Johnson — who welcomed her son with fellow “Dancing With The Stars” pro and husband Val Chmerkovskiy — captioned her Instagram post on Tuesday.
“Cannot believe it’s been 4 weeks of being completely infatuated with you. Thank you for bursting my heart wide open and showing me what unconditional love is. Mommy and Daddy love you so much!!!!”
Wrapping up her heartfelt post, the “So You Think You Can Dance” alum added, “the left dimple melts me every time .”
In the adorable pics, Rome Valentin was dressed in a white onesie paired with a matching orange cardigan and bottoms while sleeping on a white blanket.
Following her post, other “DWTS” pros took to the comments to gush over the newborn, including fellow mommy Whitney Carson saying, “CANNOT HANDLE HIM! Love you Rome! You’re the best mama.”
“Ahhhhh he is so perfect!! ,” “DWTS” alum Hayley Erbert wrote.
Johnson and Val, 36, first started going out in 2015 after meeting in the iconic dance competition. They went on to tie the knot during a romantic ceremony in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. in April 2019.
Back in July, the new mom revealed that she was pregnant after going through “two years of infertility and hundreds of negative tests.” However, after taking a break for six months, they managed to conceive.
In a baby bump debut, the ABC personality shared, “Baby Chmerkovskiy coming this January! My heart has grown beyond comprehension while growing this little miracle inside of me. We can’t wait to meet our precious angel.”
