After years of feuding, Madonna and Elton John finally make amends: 'I needed to confront him'
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Madonna revealed that she and Elton John have reconciled, during an encounter at one of John's recent performances. The two have officially buried the hatchet, leaving fans curious about the path to their reconciliation.
Madonna and Elton John have officially ended their long-standing feud, much to the surprise of fans. In a recent Instagram post, Madonna shared that the two music legends have buried the hatchet after years of tension, leaving fans wondering what led to this unexpected reconciliation.
The news comes after Madonna attended one of John’s recent performances, where the two reportedly had a heartfelt encounter. While details of their meeting remain somewhat private, it seems the moment marked a significant shift in their relationship, setting the stage for what could be a new chapter in their dynamic.
Madonna and Elton John 'buried the hatchet' after decades of feud
Madonna and Elton John may be on the verge of a collaboration after years of tension.
In a post on Instagram on April 7, the "Like a Prayer" singer shared the exciting news that she and the EGOT winner have officially ended their feud. "We Finally Buried the Hatchet!!!" Madonna, 66, wrote, revealing that she had attended John’s performance on Saturday Night Live (SNL) that weekend.
She recalled sneaking out of her house as a teenager to see John perform live in Detroit, an experience that deeply impacted her. "It was an unforgettable performance that helped me understand the transformative power of music," she said, adding that it inspired her to embrace individuality and stand out.
The feud began when John criticized Madonna's "Die Another Day," calling it "the worst Bond tune ever." He told Sky News in the UK, "It doesn’t have a melody. James Bond themes are usually very camp, and this one is different... They should have chosen someone like Lulu or Shirley Bassey, or maybe I’m in that league?"
Two years later, John expressed his surprise when Madonna was nominated for Best Live Performance at the 2004 Q Awards. He remarked, "Since when did lip-synching count as live? Anyone who lip-synchs on stage when you’re paying 75 pounds to see them should be shot." Madonna’s representative denied the lip-synching allegations at the time.
Despite their shared history, Madonna admitted that it hurt her when John publicly expressed his dislike for her as an artist over the years. When she learned he would be performing on SNL, she decided it was time to face him. "I needed to go backstage and confront him," Madonna explained.
When they met, John immediately apologized, saying, "Forgive me," which led to an emotional reconciliation. "Forgiveness is a powerful tool," she reflected, adding that within minutes, they were hugging. John also shared that he had written a song for her and wanted to collaborate. "It was like everything came full circle!" Madonna exclaimed in her post, referencing John's iconic 1970 hit "Your Song."
In the comments, John thanked Madonna for her visit and her forgiveness, expressing his regret over his past comments. He acknowledged her groundbreaking influence on music and her vital role in fighting HIV/AIDS in the '80s, while also emphasizing their shared mission to support marginalized communities worldwide.
Elton John and Madonna left differences apart during AIDS victims
By October 2023, the tension between them appeared to have eased. John and the Elton John AIDS Foundation issued a joint statement, lauding Madonna’s performance during her Celebration Tour, which honored those lost to AIDS.
“We were deeply moved by Madonna's heartfelt tribute during her performance of ‘Live to Tell,’ honoring the 40.4 million people we’ve lost to AIDS,” the statement on Instagram read.
"Thank you, Madonna, for your advocacy, compassion, and for raising crucial awareness about the ongoing mission to end AIDS," it continued. "With 39 million people living with HIV today, and 9.4 million not receiving life-saving treatment, we must continue using our voices to ensure everyone has the chance to live a full and healthy life."
Meanwhile, John performed alongside Brandi Carlile at Studio 8H, promoting their new collaborative album Who Believes in Angels?, while Jack Black hosted.