On January 2 2015, the negative reaction to Madonna’s controversial social media postings (and repostings of her fans) of Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., Jesus Christ, Bob Marley and Marilyn Monroe wearing the Rebel Heart ribbon/tape prompted Madonna to make the following statement on her social media channels:

I’m sorry
I’m not comparing my self to anyone
I’m admiring and acknowledging their Rebel Hearts
This is neither a crime or an insult or racist!
I also did it with Michael Jackson and Frida Kahlo and Marilyn Monroe
Am I saying I am them
NO
I’m saying they are Rebel Hearts too
And
I didn’t do it
My fans did
And I just re-posted those photos
My fans aren’t racist either
If they put me in the same category as these other people
Thank you. I’m very flattered and I hope one day to live up to 1/100th of what those people accomplished. – Madonna

Madonna You Can Be a #Rebelheart But Leave Nelson Mandela, Bob Marley And Martin Luther Out Of It