Madonna is returning to the stage in just two days with the start of her highly anticipated Celebration Tour. But maybe the Queen of Pop should think twice about how she promotes her big show?
Earlier this week, the pop legend shared a disturbing image on Instagram of brutalized corpses in Israel, along with a poignant message about the violence in the region.
Hamas attacked Israel Friday night, rampaging through numerous villages and a music festival. Israeli authorities estimate the terrorist group took 100-150 hostages as well, including elderly people, children, and even babies.
Israel countered by launching airstrikes into Gaza, which Hamas controls. Palestinian authorities say at least 1,055 people have been killed and another 5,184 have been injured in the area as a result.
In Israel, at least 1,200 people have died and more than 2,900 others have suffered injuries. (If you want to read more about the harrowing and complex situation, we recommend this explainer from Reuters.)
Madonna, along with countless other people around the world, is obviously horrified by the senseless violence and brutality. So it’s perfectly understandable why she felt the need to express herself (no pun intended) about it.
But she also wants to advertise her big tour, which is where the situation gets, well, kinda awkward.
On Thursday, Madonna followed up her disturbing Israel post with a blurry promotional photo for her Celebration Tour, which kicks off in London in 48 hours.
And a couple of days before her Israel post, she shared a sexy bustier selfie.
The three posts make for an awkward and tone-deaf contrast on her page, which has almost 20 million followers:
Now, Madonna, who we love (most of the time), would likely respond with her favorite James Baldwin quote: “Artists are here to disturb the peace.” But in this case, Hamas has already disturbed the peace. Seeing the bodies of dead people with their pants pulled down, blindfolded, and their hands zip-tied behind their backs is disturbing enough without the added glimpses of our favorite pop singer dressed in lingerie.
Her profile reflects a societal phenomenon that Joel Kim Booster highlighted on Twitter X earlier this week.
“Seeing gay guys calling for genocide with their full throat then immediately posting pictures of their niece on IG stories is a fascinating mix of new and old gay culture,” he posted.
The mix also comes across as callous. The act of posting about Israel and Hamas, and then immediately pivoting to birthday photos or thirst traps, makes it appear performative, at best, and as if people are using war for “likes” and clout, at worst.
Its disgusting actually and this shows some really true colors, always.
— Repomanlive (@repoman84live) October 10, 2023
It’s like at the beginning of the pandemic when we all learned how many gay porn actors are super into eugenics.
— The Champagne of Queers™ 🍾 (@BoyandPiano) October 10, 2023
In other words, war is treated as just another part of the daily discourse, like National Coming Out Day.
Speaking of which…
Imagine defending Hamas one day and then posting about national coming out day the next.
— Zak (@itzhakbendavid) October 11, 2023
The trend of thoughtlessly posting about the worst atrocities in modern history is nothing new, of course. For years, influencers have been taking selfies at concentration camps and Holocaust memorials.
Apparently, engagement trumps decency, or the will to use any brainpower.
The distasteful nature of posing for modeling pics on the Auschwitz railroad tracks seems obvious.
But maybe not?
We live in a world of constant sh*tposting. Everyone doesn’t need to chime in on everything. It’s OK to sit some issues out! Especially super complex ones like war and peace in the Middle East. (Best to leave explaining that one up to the good folx over at Reuters!)
Or at the very least, maybe not sandwich a video of dead corpses between bubblegum.
Gabby
Awkward post? She has always been very passionate about world events and as a mother of 6 kids, her post was heartfelt and honest. I don’t understand why this site hates her so much. Will you follow this post berating other people for posting about the terror happening in Israel? Such a double standard.
Thad
Taking Madonna’s post out of context actually works far better.
Baron Wiseman
Good for Madonna!
Do you actually think there is a wrong time for moral clarity at time when people are being beheaded and burned alive?
correctio
there has been zero evidence that babies or anyone was beheaded by Hamas. The White House had to issue a clarification saying that Biden, despite what he said in his speech on Tuesday, has not seen pictures of beheaded babies.
also, the reports of Hamas raping Israeli women have not been substantiated.
Baron Wiseman
@correctio
Are photographs evidence? I’ve seen the pictures.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has acknowledged seeing the images as well.
When you have to deny, rationalize and apologize for babies riddled with bullets, chard adults in their vehicles and a beheaded soldier you have no different mindset than what the Nazis did during World War II.
correctio
*charred
inbama
Absolutely nothing wrong with Madonna’s post.
It’s groups like “Queers For Palestine,” the “Democratic Socialists of America” and BLM that have disgraced themselves praising the slaughter.
What’s the difference between Left-wing groups shouting “Kill the Jews” and Trump’s Nazi supporters in Charlottesville chanting “We Will Not Be Replaced?”
This generation and their “Words are Violence” BS seem perfectly fine with mass rape and murder by cowardly terrorists who use women and children as human shields.
correctio
fake/dumb
inbama
@correctio
What are you – another abfab sock puppet with nothing worthwhile to say, and just here to throw insults?
You’re worthless.
Openminded
I don’t see anything wrong with her posts. It shows she can think about more than one thing at a time. She speaks out and gets bashed, I’m betting if she didn’t say a word, somebody would accuse her of being a non caring b*tch.
Also, Queerty, Are you sure those aren’t live hostages? Zip ties and blindfolds aren’t necessary for dead people. I certainly stand to be corrected, but I don’t see any indications of blood except for the second person from the body and a small stain on the sidewalk. I’m not trying to imply the situation isn’t dire either way, but I have to question the accuracy of your reporting when it is known that there were hundreds taken hostage to be used as human shields.
FreddieW
It has been nearly a week, and this is the first Queerty story I’ve read that mentions Israel. You’ve been telling us the normal mindless drivel about sex and selfies and gaymers for days, but in order to bring this up you have to criticize Madonna for nothing. Do you see the irony? I don’t like her, but there isn’t a thing wrong with what she posted.
Gabby
Perfect comment!
okiloki
In this case, I don’t see anything wrong with what she posted. It’s a horrible tragedy and she probably made more than a few people aware of it who wouldn’t have heard about it otherwise.
correctio
free Palestine!
Baron Wiseman
The first rule of co-existing with Islamic Jihadists is that you can’t.
correctio
free Palestine!
Baron Wiseman
@correctio
…said the useful idiot.