Madonna Pays Tribute To Aretha Franklin At 2018 MTV VMAs With Story About Herself

Cole Delbyck
Updated
Madonna presents the award for Video of the Year onstage during the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards. (Photo: Michael Loccisano via Getty Images)
Madonna presents the award for Video of the Year onstage during the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards. (Photo: Michael Loccisano via Getty Images)

The 2018 MTV Video Music Awards showed Aretha Franklin just a little bit of respect at the annual ceremony held in New York City on Monday night.

Since the VMAs were the first major awards show following the legendary soul singer’s death last week, it was only fitting that the event dedicate a moment to her legacy.

But somewhat surprisingly, it was Madonna who led the tribute before announcing the evening’s final award for Video of the Year.

After a clip played of Franklin performing “Say A Little Prayer,” the “Rebel Heart” singer walked onto the stage and launched into a story about how Franklin’s career intersected her own during a trying moment before she found success. But the story had little to do with the late great singer and focused far more on Madonna’s early years.

Madonna speaks onstage during the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall. (Photo: Michael Loccisano via Getty Images)
Madonna speaks onstage during the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall. (Photo: Michael Loccisano via Getty Images)

“Aretha Louise Franklin changed the course of my life,” she said on stage against a black-and-white backdrop of the late singer. “I left Detroit when I was 18 with 35 dollars in my pocket. My dream was to make it as a professional dancer after years of struggling and being broke.”

Madonna went on to explain that during a tense audition when she forgot sheet music, she started singing Franklin’s hit song “You Make Me Feel Like (A Natural Woman).” But the rest of the long-winded story had little to do with Franklin.

“The worst that can happen is I can go back to getting robbed, held at gunpoint, and being mistaken for a prostitute in my third-floor walk-up that was also a crack house” she continued about deciding to audition.

Eventually, Madonna said she would return to how the story connected to the icon.

“[Franklin] led me to where I am today and I know she influenced so many people in this house tonight. I want to thank you, Aretha, for empowering all of us,” she said. “Long live the queen!”

Following the show, MTV used Franklin’s music during the end credits.

Fans were less than pleased with Madonna’s tribute, slamming the pop star for making the moment more about herself instead of Franklin.

Franklin died on Aug. 16 at age 76 from a rare form of pancreatic cancer. She had publicly battled health issues for years, undergoing surgery in 2010.

While Franklin rose to fame long before videos became critical to a musician’s career, she was nominated twice in the early years of the VMAs. In 1986, the singer received a nod for Best Female Video for her hit “Freeway of Love.” A second nod came the following year in the Best Video from a Film category, for her cover of the song “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” from the movie of the same name.

A tribute concert honoring Franklin’s legacy, organized by famed music producer Clive Davis, will be held on Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

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Aretha Franklin in 1971.
Aretha Franklin in 1971.
Posing for a portrait lying on a couch circa 1973.
Posing for a portrait lying on a couch circa 1973.
Circa 1968.
Circa 1968.
In 1970.
In 1970.
Smoking a cigarette as she works in the studio by a microphone at Muscle Shoals Studios in 1969 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
Smoking a cigarette as she works in the studio by a microphone at Muscle Shoals Studios in 1969 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
Performing in an undated photo.
Performing in an undated photo.
Posing for a portrait circa 1965.
Posing for a portrait circa 1965.
Posing for a portrait circa 1965.
Posing for a portrait circa 1965.
Appearing on "The Andy Williams Show" in 1969.
Appearing on "The Andy Williams Show" in 1969.
Posing for a portrait circa 1967.
Posing for a portrait circa 1967.
At the Muhammad Ali Variety Special in 1975.
At the Muhammad Ali Variety Special in 1975.
Singing circa 1972.
Singing circa 1972.
Wearing a leather jacket in a 1990 portrait.
Wearing a leather jacket in a 1990 portrait.
Performing on stage in 1968.
Performing on stage in 1968.
Portrait in 1973.
Portrait in 1973.
At a news conference in 1973.
At a news conference in 1973.
Standing backstage wearing a gold embroidered gown and holding a Grammy Award, circa 1970.
Standing backstage wearing a gold embroidered gown and holding a Grammy Award, circa 1970.
Holding her Grammy Award for Best Rhythm and Blues performance of the song "Bridge Over Troubled Water," in 1972.
Holding her Grammy Award for Best Rhythm and Blues performance of the song "Bridge Over Troubled Water," in 1972.
Alongside Rev. Jesse Jackson at the Operation PUSH Soul Picnic at the 142nd Street Armory in New York in 1972.
Alongside Rev. Jesse Jackson at the Operation PUSH Soul Picnic at the 142nd Street Armory in New York in 1972.
Performing with James Brown at the Taboo nightclub in Detroit in 1987.
Performing with James Brown at the Taboo nightclub in Detroit in 1987.
Reviewing a copy of her album "Aretha Franklin -- Soul '69" at Atlantic Records studios in 1969 in New York City.
Reviewing a copy of her album "Aretha Franklin -- Soul '69" at Atlantic Records studios in 1969 in New York City.
Performing onstage at the New Victoria Theater in the United Kingdom circa 1980.
Performing onstage at the New Victoria Theater in the United Kingdom circa 1980.
During the 59th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in 2005.
During the 59th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in 2005.
In 1968.
In 1968.
At the rehearsal for the "Aretha Franklin: Duets" concert to benefit the Gay Men's Health Crisis at New York's Nederlander Theatre in 1993.
At the rehearsal for the "Aretha Franklin: Duets" concert to benefit the Gay Men's Health Crisis at New York's Nederlander Theatre in 1993.
Holding up her American Music Awards trophy in one hand and her shoes in the other as she poses for photographers backstage at the 10th annual American Music Awards. 
Holding up her American Music Awards trophy in one hand and her shoes in the other as she poses for photographers backstage at the 10th annual American Music Awards. 
Singing outside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., during President Bill Clinton's inauguration in 1993.
Singing outside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., during President Bill Clinton's inauguration in 1993.
Performing in 1989 at a casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Performing in 1989 at a casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
With Arista Records chief Clive Davis at New York's Plaza Hotel for a pre-Grammy party thrown by Davis in 1997.
With Arista Records chief Clive Davis at New York's Plaza Hotel for a pre-Grammy party thrown by Davis in 1997.
Rehearsing with the Blues Brothers at Radio City Music Hall in New York City for the 40th Annual Grammy Awards. 
Rehearsing with the Blues Brothers at Radio City Music Hall in New York City for the 40th Annual Grammy Awards. 
Performing at "VH1 Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin" held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in 2001.
Performing at "VH1 Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin" held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in 2001.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.