Madonna Throws (More) Shade at BET After Her Prince Tribute Controversy

Photo: Instagram
No sunnies needed here — because Madonna just can’t stop throwing shade. Eight days after she performed a tribute to Prince alongside Stevie Wonder at the Billboard Music Awards, the 57-year-old Material Girl was still clearly stinging from BET’s slam. (ICYMI, a few minutes after Madge belted out a medley of Prince’s hits, BET tweeted a clip of the late singer’s iconic symbol and the message “Yeah, we saw that. Don’t worry. We Got You.” It has since been deleted.)

It turned out Madonna didn’t like that commentary so much and over the last week has periodically taken to Instagram to post messages expressing her displeasure and annoyance with BET.

Most recently, she shared a throwback shot that emphasized how close she and Prince really were. “Wearing the jacket Prince gave me back in the day without permission from BET,” she began, adding an emoji that was laughing so hard it cried. “lol! God Bless America. and yes that’s Marilyn!”

A photo posted by Madonna (@madonna) on May 28, 2016 at 3:18pm PDT

Shortly after that, she added a second shot of herself in hot pink printed sunglasses. “I Will Shade You,” she promised. “hahahahahahahahah.”

But these are just the latest in a long line of defensive posts. Three days prior to the latest additions, she posted several images from her tribute (which, for the record, received mixed reviews) with the message “I know why the Caged Bird Sings….”

She also posted a dramatic shot of her hands, encrusted with sparkling rings and a Prince-themed manicure along with the message: “Happiness lies in your own hand………..thank you B. Thank you Lynn. Thank you Allesandro. Thank You Stevie. Thank you Prince. Thank you Universe.”

One week ago, she also shared several shots from her actual performance. In one, she sits perched in a throne, a beam of light shining on her face. “Love Sees No Color,” she declared. In another, she shows off her sequined purple suit with matching feather boa and completes her look with a rose gripped between her teeth. “Anyone who wants to do a tribute to Prince is welcome to. Whatever your age Gender or skin Color. If you loved him and he inspired you then show it!!!!” she declared. “I love Prince 4 ever.”

And while many viewers skewered her performance, one celeb came to her defense. “Every Prince rendition will not be a life changing orgasmic xperience,” Questlove tweeted. “Just to SING his work is brave enough.” (Well, okay, that wasn’t exactly a ringing endorsement for Madonna, but he made his point.)

BET’s own Prince tribute airs on June 26. We’ll have to wait and see whether Madge watches it or not — but if she does, something tells us she’ll have lots to say.