Madonna Is Finally Vindicated 34 Years After Her Controversial Pepsi Commercial Was Banned
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Madonna has been making wave for decades in her music career, but she’s finally being vindicated after being chastised for her 1989 music video, “Like a Prayer.” The pop star refused to change any of the controversial scenes featuring Catholic iconography and imagery, which some critics found downright blasphemous. The outrage reached Pepsi because they had partnered with her for a commercial that she was paid $5 million for — and they immediately cancelled it in the wake of the fury.
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But my, oh my, have times changed! As a part of the soda company’s 125th anniversary, they have rereleased the commercial 34 years after it was banned. Now, Pepsi is praising the music icon for “celebrating 40 years of disrupting the status quo.” The move pleased Madonna, who confidently doubled down on her defiant rebellion.
34 years ago I made a commercial with Pepsi to celebrate the release of my song Like a Prayer.
The commercial was immediately canceled when I refused to change any scenes in the video where I was kissing a black saint or burning crosses.
So began my illustrious career as an… pic.twitter.com/zHBaBtGP9v— Madonna (@Madonna) September 13, 2023
“34 years ago I made a commercial with Pepsi to celebrate the release of my song Like a Prayer. The commercial was immediately canceled when I refused to change any scenes in the video where I was kissing a black saint or burning crosses,” she wrote on X. “So began my illustrious career as an artist refusing to compromise my artistic integrity.”
“Like a Prayer” Vinyl
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The 65-year-old star also thanked the company “for finally realizing the genius of our collaboration” because “artists are here to disturb the peace.” It’s that classic Madonna attitude that fans know and love — she’s always been ahead of her time. Despite the commercial ban, the song and music video were kept in rotation on MTV and radio stations around the globe — it was a huge success! The Material Girl stuck to her creative intentions and never backed down. It might have taken three decades, but Pepsi finally realized that they should have caved to Madonna instead of the protestors all those years ago.
Before you go, click here to see Madonna’s best VMA fashion photos over the years.
Launch Gallery: 33 Iconic Madonna Photos You Definitely Forgot About
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