Madonna, whom critics called “unrecognizable” during her appearance at the Grammys in early February, with some remarking she looked as if she had undergone plastic surgery, deflected by lashing out at “ageism and misogyny” while focusing on “close-up photos of me taken with a long lens camera.”
But on Monday, Madonna fueled speculation with a post that suggested that she may indeed have had plastic surgery.
“Look how cute i am now that swelling from surgery has gone down. Lol,” she tweeted.
Look how cute i am now that swelling from surgery has gone down. Lol 😂 pic.twitter.com/jd8hQyi2Az
— Madonna (@Madonna) February 20, 2023
After her Grammys appearance, where she introduced Kim Petras and Sam Smith ahead of their satanic-themed “Unholy” performance, Madonna’s fans offered comments such as “Madonna needs to stop with the plastic surgery and embrace the aging process. She’s nearly unrecognizable at this point,” “Me attempting to ignore the fact that Madonna has a whole new face,” “Omg, did you see Madonna at the Grammys? WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO HER FACE? She looked monstrous. It was shocking,” and “Madonna is unrecognizable.”
Comedian Tim Young joked, “Madonna looks good for her age … if her age is 2,700-year-old vampire who eats babies and small animals alive.”
Madonna looks good for her age… if her age is 2,700 year old vampire who eats babies and small animals alive. pic.twitter.com/pnJfkhgmAO
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) February 6, 2023
That prompted Madonna to post a response on Instagram: “Instead of focusing on what I said in my speech which was about giving thanks for the fearlessness of artists like Sam and Kim — many people chose to only talk about close-up photos of me taken with a long lens camera by a press photographer that would distort anyone’s face!!”
“Once again I am caught in the glare of ageism and misogyny that permeates the world we live in,” she continued. “A world that refuses to celebrate women pass [sic] the age of 45 And feels the need to punish her If she continues to be strong-willed, hard-working, and adventurous.”
“I have been degraded by the media since the beginning of my career but I understand that this is all a test and I am happy to do the trailblazing so that all the women behind me can have an easier time in the years to come,” she complained. “I look forward to many more years of subversive behavior — pushing boundaries — standing up to the patriarchy — and most of all enjoying my life.”
In 2012, Madonna confessed she was “not against plastic surgery” but was “absolutely against having to discuss it.”
Related: Social Media Users Say Madonna Looked ‘Unrecognizable’ During Grammys Appearance