I wouldn't have recognised Madonna

[MrsFin]

I've just read an article about a recent appearance by Madonna on an American chat show (Daily Mail, sorry). She's changed so much, I don't think I would have recognised her if the article hadn't said who it was.
www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10072867/Madonna-63-flashes-bottom-gyrates-Jimmy-Fallons-desk-Tonight-Show.html

Not sure if you realise this, but us woman in our 60s still feel sexual too!

Do you “celebrate” it by getting your arse out in public though?

I agree with what she says about art being provocative, but gyrating and showing your arse on TV isn’t provocative or thought-provoking anymore. Not for any age or for either sex. It’s a tired trope now.

It’s a big like that person at work who’s all, “I’m mad and crazy and spontaneous” but whose only manifestation of said quirkiness is getting pissed and dancing/falling off tables every year at the work party.

A 'trope' that she has used with huge success for what. 40 years or so?

And now in her 60s she says fuck you I don't care. I'm not going quietly.

It gets her talked about still doesn't it.

She's Madonna fgs. Refusing to stop doing her thing because too old put it away. People being horrified. Etc.

I mean she's also always loved being the centre of controversy. Eg like a prayer. Yikes she went for it with that video!

A 'trope' that she has used with huge success for what. 40 years or so?

Exactly. After 40 years Madonna acting provocatively is no longer provocative.

@nolongersurprised

It’s a big like that person at work who’s all, “I’m mad and crazy and spontaneous” but whose only manifestation of said quirkiness is getting pissed and dancing/falling off tables every year at the work party.

Not really?

She's a huge star with a career that has lasted decades.

She has been in plenty of films that were popular (only seen desperately seeking Susan can't remember how good she was!).

She must be a multi squillionairre.

She did not have a shoe in for her first breaks she found and won them.

She is an astute woman when it comes to her career. Always changing music style, look etc.

She must be driven and determined as all fuck.

So no she's not like a drunk woman at the work party at all!!

In the end I grew up with her.

I was of the generation of primary school girls singing like a virgin and not understanding what any of it meant!

She is who she is. Like she has always been.

The clip so scripted though. The lead in is, “Ooh, it’s Madonna, Madonna always does crazy, unpredictable things!”

And then she - writhes on a desk showing her arse.

I agree she’s been influential, iconic but disagree that this is a clever career move for her. It’s nothing new.

She says, “Artists are here to disturb the peace”. And then does exactly what she’s been doing to the last 40 years

She doesn't need to make clever career moves.

If she tours it's a sell out.

And she doesn't need to. She is rich beyond imagination.

She can do what she likes. In short.

I have always liked Madonna. Even though a raving Feminist since I was a girl!

She never presented passively. Her sexualised. Well so many things.

It was not I'm here come and get me. Sort of thing. It was challenging. Back in the day men and boys were a bit freaked out by her. Kate Bush got the same response.

Sexy lady. Looks sexy. Sexy moves. Nice. But scary. So scary. Help! Sexy scantily clad women aren't supposed to give off that vibe!

That utter uncomfortable confusion that men felt resulted in both of them getting slated left right and centre in the press etc. They aren't doing this right. Don't like it. Uncomfy. Lash out. I mean they got trashed constantly back then.

And. They didn't react. Didn't care. Didn't change.

I liked that :)

@nolongersurprised

She says, “Artists are here to disturb the peace”. And then does exactly what she’s been doing to the last 40 years

How many women aged 63 do that?

And why does this warrant so much interest and criticism?

I don't remember stuff like this when ancient male music stars make total embarrassments of themselves! Not getting arse out but behaving like they're still 20 etc.

In the end it's what she's always got. Whatever she did. So it shouldn't be a surprise. Or even interesting. And yet...

Or even interesting

I have sufficient respect and admiration for Madonna to click on a thread about her. But having watched the clip, I don’t find her writhing around on a desk, showing her arse to be provocative, “peace disturbing” or in any way interesting.

To me, it’s just very derivative.

But, that is the beauty of art, isn’t it? What to one person may seem a bit tired and pointless is inspiring and thought-provoking for others.

Oh I haven't watched it! Not interested really.

It is different at 63. Women, esp ones who when young were v attractive. Are supposed to behave like that!

Carrie fisher said the sheer number of men who were so angry for her ruining their eternal memory of her as a slave in skimpy clothes. Was ridiculous. She had ruined it for them! By getting older and going on screen.

I have no idea why Madonna is doing this. The major criticism of her being too old to do that went massive with the abba time goes by video. That was years ago.

Yes it's subversive. It makes lots of people very uncomfortable.

If it's derivative. Then mainly it's derivative of... Her?

Meh really.

She was always good at reinvention but if she reinvented herself as somebody comfortable with ageing that'd be her biggest reinvention in decades

Too late. Plastic surgery.

Blondie and the woman out of moonlighting have not gone down that route.

Seen interviews.

Blondie when started touring said it was bizarre the shock for interviewers public that she had got older. Just really threw them.

Moonlighting woman interview. Had hat. Interviewer why hat. Woman who was considered incredibly gorgeous in the day. Said oh haha didn't do my hair. Whips it off. Supremely mad hair. And she didn't give a shit. Interviewer shocked. And struggled to know what to do.

So meh to Madonna doing that really.

Women known as sexy in public eye. Have fixed standards to adhere to.

Any public breach of them is. Esp in their world. Subversive.

If it's derivative. Then mainly it's derivative of... Her?

Yes! Although without the controversy. Her juxtaposition of her sexuality and conservative Catholicism upbringing was interesting and provocative IMO. But that was decades ago.

Just showing her arse on TV? Not so much.

@Avarua

I love any woman who does whatever the fuck she wants at 63. You do you, Madonna!

This sums it for me as well. Love all the 'unusual' positivity in this post

She's a bit odd in her behaviour and yes, she looks different. But she also looks bloody grst and good for her if it makes her happy

Madonna’s awesome, clever and funny and provocative. She always was, always will be.

@GoldFrankensteinAndGrrr

Can anyone point me to the thread(s) about Mick Jagger having lost the plot/needing to put it away/being vulnerable?

Thanks!

Hear hear

Her body, her choice. Stop putting other women down for their looks, especially when you have to link to that shitrag, the Daily Mail. Madonna is one of the most successful artists in the world. She's a beacon for feminism, a humanitarian, a philanthropist, and she's made some absolutely cracking songs over almost four decades. She's an amazing woman. What she does with her face and body is her business.

It’s clearly provocative to behave a she does the responses on here show it. Simoly now it’s provocative for a different reason, she’s in her sixties.

Madonna has played on that sexual controversy for decades, it’s just a part she plays. I very much doubt she’s straddling tables at home in her underwear whilst taking care of her kids.

She was never going to end up in a twin set and pearls was she?

Shame about all the plastic surgery though, looks like a drag looky likey had a stroke.

She got very fit & skinny, now she's filled out (no doubt with plenty "work" to stop sagging of older skin).

She doesn't look 60+ which is a wrong look in my mind, but I know I'm in a minority to feel that way.

1982 vs. 2021

Her fortune is built on image & she changes that ... I do accept her as an artist. They are creative about looks as much as anything.

ps: Don't we all laugh at the Rolling Stones for still strutting around like 20yr old lads? Maybe Madonna gets criticism because we believe that she has capacity to make aging look gracefully sexy.

Don't think anyone hassled Joan Collins and a lot of other women for their pursuit of youthful look.

I’m not sure it really achieved its aim though - (non literal) exposure, controversy etc.

We’re talking about it here because the OP provided a link which made me do a Twitter search for the clip. This is because I grew up with Madonna and I like her. I’m shocked by how odd she looks in the clip but that’s not the point.

Although it was clearly scripted to be shocking it didn’t seem to have made much of a ripple. Her arse-exposing writhing didnt trend on Twitter and no one really seemed that interested.

I suppose it engenders an interesting debate on here about whether a 63 year old flashing their arse is inherently shocking or not but it certainly didn’t “break the Internet”. Maybe she doesn’t care if most people didn’t really pay any attention?