On August 18 2012, during an MDNA World Tour concert in Zurich, Madonna made this statement for the release of Pussy Riot:
“I protest the conviction and sentencing of Pussy Riot to a penal colony for two years for a 40 second performance extolling their political opinions. Even if one disagrees with the location or how they chose to express themselves, the sentence is too harsh and in fact is inhumane. I call on all those who love freedom to condemn this unjust punishment. I urge artists around the world to speak up in protest against this travesty. They’ve spent enough time in jail. I call on ALL of Russia to let Pussy Riot go free.”
On August 16 2020, The Gay Times applauded Dua Lipa’s music video for Levitating (featuring Madonna & Missy Elliot, remixed by DJ The Blessed Madonna):
Dua Lipa’s new video with Madonna and Missy Elliot has a massive pro-LGBTQ+ message.
Shot in London, the visual shows the British songstress as she performs the club-ready, MDNA-esque track in a bedroom solo, before sharing an intimate moment with her boyfriend, Anwar Hadid, in a car. Several queer couples can be seen throughout the video, including a girl who spies on her love interest from afar.
Tayce, a London-based drag performer who’s rumoured to appear on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK season two, also makes an appearance, as well as guest artist Missy Elliott. Sadly, Madonna is nowhere to be seen.
The song, which was remixed by DJ The Blessed Madonna, is the first single taken from Dua’s upcoming remix album, Club Future Nostalgia, which will also include a new version of her acclaimed power-pop anthem Physical with Gwen Stefani and Mark Ronson.
In an interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music, Dua said she collaborated with the queen of pop because she’s is an artist that she’s “listened to” her whole life, adding: “Her career trajectory as well has been something so inspirational and the momentum that she’s kept and the way that she’s grown with her music.”
Speaking about Missy’s participation, Dua continued: “I jumped on the phone with her and we had a little talk and she really just does stuff that she really believes in, so that I felt it was such a massive compliment for me, for her to be so inspired by the remix and the track, and to want to be a part of it and be a part of this mixtape.”
On August 14 2012, Madonna’s first make-up artist, and close friend, Debi Mazar spoke to Allure.com’s beauty editor, Sophia Panych about what Madonna’s hair and make-up was like for The Virgin Tour in 1985:
Her hair was long and wild, and she had just had her bangs cut. She had this thick, curly, gorgeous hair—thicker than anyone else I knew—and it didn’t really need much. I just tried to make sure her bangs nicely framed her face and make sure it moved well, rather than creating a polished look. Really, it was more about the music and the show. We just wanted her to look good, get on stage, and do the damn tour. Plus, she was in her twenties: Her skin was good, and as long as you had bright lipstick and good hair, the crowd didn’t care—they just wanted to dance.
Today In Madonna History 