Madonna recently came under fire after she scolded a wheelchair-using fan in the audience of one of her concerts for “sitting down”.
The Queen of Pop quickly issued an apology after realising the fan was disabled, and the gig attendee has now spoken out following the awkward gaffe.
The 65-year-old Material Girl singer made the blunder during her Celebration tour.
Wheelchair user Vanessa Gorman was singled out by the star in an incident which has since drummed up lots of attention.
Gorman defended the pop star for the remarks, explaining Madonna had “no idea” when she quizzed her about sitting down.
“Some people are in wheelchairs and can stand. She had no idea I was paralysed,” Gorman reflected while talking to TMZ.
Madonna singled out a wheelchair-user
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The fan was reportedly sitting on the floor close to the stage when the singer spotted her during a concert in Canada last month.
Circulating footage of the interaction shows Madonna asking: “What are you doing sitting down over there?”
Edging closer to Gorman, she quickly backtracked as she added: “Oh, OK. Politically incorrect. Sorry about that. I’m glad you’re here.”
The viral clip has been viewed millions of times online, and many have since called out the singer for the casual apology.
Madonna asked a wheelchair user why she was sitting down
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Taking to X, one wrote: “Madonna is a disgrace and a hypocrite! Rather than apologizing to a disabled individual in a wheelchair after going after him for not obediently standing in her presence, she retracts and says, “oops, politically incorrect”. Where’s the apology?”
“Omg. what an absolute disgrace! Shame on her! That’s unacceptable!” another fumed.
A third asked: “Does it matter if they’re sitting or standing? they paid for the ticket and took the time to be there? Isn’t that enough???”
“What a self-centered privileged mind she has,” someone else complained, while another penned: “The person sitting has paid for tickets, no matter if she is sitting or standing.”
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The viral clip sparked a backlash from viewers
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“How weird to call anyone out, regardless of whether they are disabled or not, she doesn’t own them. If they don’t want to stand that’s their business,” another added.
“’Why aren’t you worshipping me’ kinda vibe. Not weird at all,” someone else chimed.
However, some defended the singer, with another person adding: “I'm a wheelchair user and what Madonna did was just right.
“She apologized when she realized she made a mistake. It happens. Don't make a big deal out of nothing.” (sic)