Luther Vandross’ Estate Demanded Madonna Remove His Photo From An AIDS Tribute

Per the request of Luther Vandross’ estate, Madonna has removed his photo from the AIDS tribute in her Celebrations Tour.

In the memoriam segment, the pop star recognizes those who lost their lives to AIDS/HIV, including Freddie Mercury and Keith Haring. However, Luther Vandross — who died from a heart attack that stemmed from stroke-related complications — was featured in the tribute on Saturday (Feb. 24), much to the surprise of his estate.

The estate later issued a statement on the matter after requesting his image be removed. “Luther Vandross passed away in 2005 due to complications from a stroke suffered two years earlier,” a rep told Page Six in a statement.

They continued, “While we appreciate Madonna’s recognition of those lives lost to AIDS, Luther was NEVER diagnosed with AIDS or the HIV Virus. We’re not sure where she or her production team received false medical information claiming otherwise. We’re currently in contact with her management to remove Luther Vandross from the tribute.”

Madonna’s team has since confirmed that Vandross was removed from the tribute.

In December 1985, the “Never Too Much” crooner sued a British tabloid who attributed his 85-pound weight loss to acquired immune deficiency syndrome. The weight loss occurred after Vandross started dieting earlier that year.

He reportedly told Entertainment Tonight at the time, “There’s no way I can get it. I don’t have it. It’s interesting that everybody attributes AIDS to the weight loss — which was very hard to do and took a lot of effort and everything.”

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