Madonna released her highly anticipated Madame X tour documentary on Paramount+ last Friday and fans went wild… until Dave Chappelle showed up.
The homophobic and transphobic comedian makes a brief cameo appearance about halfway through the film, when Madonna sits down next to him in the audience and praises him for being “the next James Baldwin” without offering any compelling reasons to support the lofty comparison.
Huh?
First of all, James Baldwin was a gay Black novelist who was a central figure in the LGBTQ rights movement; Chappelle is a standup comedian with a history of making anti-LGBTQ remarks.
How about we take this to the next level?
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Related: Dave Chappelle just “punched down” the LGBTQ community…hard
Second, the timing of all this couldn’t be worse.
Madonna released her new tour documentary the same week Chappelle released his latest Netflix comedy special, in which he declares himself “Team TERF!” (the acronym for trans-exclusionary radical feminist), voices his support for transphobic author J.K. Rowling, and talks obsessively about trans women’s genitalia, among other things.
The special has resulted in GLADD, National Black Justice Coalition, and several other civil rights groups issuing statements condemning Chappelle’s bigotry and urging Netflix to pull it from its platform.
And former Dear White People showrunner Jaclyn Moore, who transitioned during the pandemic, said publicly that she’s “done” working with Netflix “as long as they continue to put out and profit from blatantly and dangerously transphobic content.”
Related: Laura Ingraham defends Dave Chappelle’s transphobia, even though he called her a “c*nt”
Obviously, Madonna never could have anticipated that Chappelle was going to release what is arguably his most anti-LGBTQ comedy special to date the same week she released her latest tour documentary, which was filmed over a year ago.
That said, at the time the concert was recorded, Chappelle already had a very long history of making homophobic and transphobic remarks, yet she still chose to compare him to Baldwin. Understandably, fans aren’t happy about it.
Now, the tweets…
This Madonna Madame X special is going along fine and fucking Dave Chapelle shows up.
— Sam Mc BoO’Rama (@samorama) October 9, 2021
@Madonna @madameX prob would’ve cut the Dave Chappelle section from the Paramount+ video. 😳
— Marcus Baldwin (@RowBaldwin) October 9, 2021
Hasn’t it just come out this week that Dave Chapelle’ anew special is quite homo and trans phobic? This is very bad timing Madonna. #MadameX
— Scotia ???????? (@Scotjayel) October 8, 2021
Artists are here to disturb the peace. But Dave Chappelle is the new JK Rowling, not the next James Baldwin. 🕵️
— Jay Zarqa 🌎⏰🔥 (@YarmoukZarqa) October 11, 2021
I was up doing laundry so i thought "Why not watch this Madonna concert on Paramount+. If anything it'll be interesting at best." This girl just called Dave Chapelle the next James Baldwin. And there's so much more I could get into about this concert but I'll save that for later.
— Planet Mars (@ahomaritwt) October 9, 2021
As a Madonna fan, I was loving watching her Madame X concert film until she called homophobic and transphobic Dave Chapelle the next James Baldwin. Nope. No. James Baldwin would have never stood for such foolishness.
— Ghost Owens Grimm ? (@bruceowensgrimm) October 8, 2021
I knw he’s uber famous but why is Dave Chappelle in your new special, the LGBT community want answers. And also why call him the next James Baldwin when he done nothing but spread hate under the guise comedy
— Alex Andy (@GothItBoy) October 9, 2021
I think anyone saying “Dave Chapelle is the next James Baldwin” is saying it to troll and provoke, right?
And when it’s a cis het white person saying it, it’s punching down and it’s bullying. I doubt Madonna has any awareness of that though.
— Listen to Understand Before Tone Policing ?? (@BrettScr1) October 10, 2021
the timing of madonna releasing her madame x movie in which she calls dave chapelle the next james baldwin today
— célinkling girl main on smash (@cooIcoolcool) October 9, 2021
Should’ve edited out that transphobic homophobic piece of shit #DaveChappelle out
— Alex Andy (@GothItBoy) October 9, 2021
Madonna releasing this show with Dave Chappelle is pretty gross right now.
— Happy Cheats-O-Ween (@Cheatsy76) October 9, 2021
It was quite strange seeing Madonna do ‘I Rise’ “giving a voice to marginalised people” with the performance ending with huge pride flag backdrop in the Madame X film and also feature a bit with David Chappelle before it
— raggle taggle (@taggles) October 9, 2021
Graham Gremore is the Features Editor and a Staff Writer at Queerty. Follow him on Twitter @grahamgremore.
BostonGuy
I don’t find Chappelle offensive at all. I find him funny and a cutting edge comic. I am not going to be bullied by people who clearly did not watch his Netflix special. I am the first person to call out homophobia, and I see it everywhere, but I don’t see it with Chappelle. The narrative surrounding his special was created by activist members of the trans community and they expect everyone to follow their lead. And if you don’t follow their lead then you’re called transphobic, homophobic or a right wing troll. Why is it not mentioned that Chappelle calls the NC bathroom law “mean”? And when a member of the audience disagreed with his characterization he addressed that audience member and reiterated that the law is mean. He’s not transphobic. Like a lot of us, he is sick and tired of a handful of activists who seem to think that all of us in the gay community are supposed to agree with them on every issue or get berated by them.
Observant
Amen. It is possible to support members of the trans community without jumping through every ridiculous hoop they hold up.
ladron
Don’t forget that Dave Chumpelle was an early Trump supporter. I used to laugh with him, now I don’t laugh at all.
He was funny with sketch comedy, but his stand-up has always been lame.
barryaksarben
Bullshit. This is not a HOOP the trans people are making us jump through. I support my trans brothers and sisters and Chappelle can go fuk himself. Dont tell us how you support us then attack us. HE says he always attacks white people but he should then know the group of citizens murdered the most are black trans women. He is sticking up for ignorant rappers who demean all gays from the stage. He is saying he supports us unless some black rapper needs to be defended for his indefensable hate rant. FUK him and Madonna if she is that stupid. Does she even KNOW who James Baldwin WAS. Dave isnt a writer or gay so nothing like him except for the color of his skin
LumpyPillows
Barry needs to watch the special.
James
GET LOST, GO BACK TO YOUR TRUMP DUMP.
[email protected]
I don’t even believe in God and I’m going to say Amen as well! I’m a gay man that absolutely loves Dave Chappelle. His most recent stand-up is amazing. I don’t understand all this bullshit about him being transphobic or against LGBTQ. WATCH THE FREAKING SPECIAL. It made me laugh and cry but for real the point was he’s a friend of the trans community and was mourning his friend. You people are insane with all of your now I hate speech against others when he was doing nothing but supporting I’m so over the overly sensitive bullshit. We all need to laugh at ourselves a little bit and recognize our allies or people that are just fine and obviously not contributing to the bad. Sorry this is jumbled into so annoyed.
Get a grip everyone. Recognize the fun/funny things in life. They’re a few and small between nowadays. I also don’t want anyone speaking for me as a gay man anymore hating against people like Dave Chappelle who are just trying to bring some comedy to our lives and actually fully support all the things you say he is phobic against. Smdh. Pick your battles as in the ones that need to be fought not hating the way you say others are doing towards you.
Mr. Stadnick
James Baldwin? Must be the first (only?) author she could think of.
phillycap
She’s always been a pretentious, condescending see you next Tuesday. She treats her fans and always had with this sort of imperious disdain. The woman is completely and utterly irrelevant. A relic (literally and figuratively) from the past.
Matthewnow
Madonna’s relentless need to remain relevant is pathetic. A once talented artist who is now desperate for attention. Take a nap Madge.
Donston
I’m kinda over “debating” about Chapelle. Some of what he’s said recently I kinda get. But also, some shit he’s said is just unnecessarily hateful. There really is no argument against that. And he’s also just not particularly funny any longer. His first middling stand-up special was enough. Besides, stand-up is not really his forte. It’s sketch comedy. I don’t know why some folks are now trying to pretend he’s a great stand-up comedian. Anyways, the comparison to Baldwin was is completely off. There’s nothing comparable about Chapelle or James Baldwin, even before Chapelle went down the route he’s gone the last couple of years. Outside of being black males, there’s really nothing comparable about their personalities, art or insights. She really just compared them ‘cause they’re both black dudes.
This is partly why gate-keeping still has some value. Madonna pretty much used “queerness” and being “pro ‘gay” for inspiration, attention, ego and to line her pockets. Yet, she does shit research, says incredibly off target stuff (and even did so when she was younger), and is pretty much here for anyone who kisses her ass/praises her.
This is why we really need to stop hyping anyone who attaches to “queerness” or who presents themselves a “queer ally” or “black ally” or whatever.
barryaksarben
I agree 100% about Madonna. She may be a important recording artist but sh is not a smart women when it comes to history or civil rights
JustBeingMe
First off, Madonna was supportive of the LGBTQ community way before it was ever popular in the media. She didn’t make money or line her pockets by doing so. And if you think Vogue was a rip off, you are crazy, because she was just celebrating those ballrooms and that’s why she included the best of the best in that community to take part of her tour. She never did it to be popular or line her pockets. She did it because she is an ally and after all also a part of our community. She has had known relationships with women that weren’t platonic.
mastik8
I watched it and it is not at all how it is being depicted. Not at all. In fact it almost appears as though the PR firm promoting it took advantage of the Trans communities feelings about Chappelle and exploited them to publicize it. Neither moral nor ethical but that’s Hollywood and btw – it worked. Madonna seems to be inadvertently – we hope – doing the same thing. You may not like it in the end but I would suggest watching it before rushing to judgement. Chappelle being the next Baldwin? ROFL.
Troyfight
More people who have “watched,” are saying what you are saying. Not a huge deal. ….so it seems like it’s just another case of the media really twisting things for the sake of clickbait $. sheesh….
nealman
So true!!! They are stirring the pot just to get more views! It’s not homophobic or transphobic
Troyfight
@nealman ….come into my arms, nealman
[email protected]
Umm or maybe he told a true story about a friend and you all are being ridiculous. Chapelle has never totally hated on anyone or any community. He’s a freaking COMEDIAN people. Get over it and yourselves. The PC police of this world…I’m over it. Simmer down already, before you make us all live in an even more censored country than we sadly already do.
Fahd
Comparing Chappelle to Baldwin seems pretty ignorant and also disrespectful of Baldwin in the first place, but then the timing now….oh boy. Madonna should do something to correct her faux pas….maybe have Chapelle edited out of the movie without making much of a fuss so both she and he can save face with their remaining fans.
LumpyPillows
Pretty much no one commenting here has ready anything Baldwin wrote. I find the outrage to be phony.
Man About Town
Yo Graham – it’s GLAAD, not GLADD.
Peter
It’s a ridiculous comparison, but it’s from Madonna, who’s never struck me as particularly bright. And Chappelle? I’ve tried giving the guy a chance, but I have never found him creative or funny. Ever. I guess the over-rated stick together.
Bonuscheque
Madonna not bright? Peter you will never know the kind of success sh has achieved. She seems a bit brighter than you.
Den
There are many people of only slightly higher than average intelligence who have achieved great success (financially and culturally). And some incredibly stupid folks who have as well. There are very different kinds of aptitude and intellect. We also will never know (regardless of what she claims) what part of her performance persona is of her making and what part is created for her by others contracted to do so.
She has said enough over the years to imply she might not be as intelligent as some claim she is.
ShiningSex
MADONNA IS TRASH. SHE HASN’T BEEN RELEVANT SINCE “RAY OF LIGHT”. MOVE ON OLD HAG
Bonuscheque
Relevant enough for you to leave a boring passive aggressive comment. Seems like you keep bringing the trash back in.
LumpyPillows
Shinning has a broken keyboard…always all caps, always mean and bitchy. Never a rainbow from that sac sack.
bjm123
When will you deluded fools realize that Madonna never cared about gay people? When will you deluded fools realize that she’s just using you to further herself…?
LumpyPillows
I don’t believe that, sorry. She was on our side when it was not popular.
AntonioSciorra
You’re a Russian FSB DISINFORMATION TROLL. You have been commenting on social media trashing all of our Western icons. We won’t fall for your games trying to divide us. Go away and play with your boyfriend Putin. Doesn’t he have some opponents to poison?
BigJohnSF
It’s ludicrous to call Chapelle “homophobic.” It just isn’t borne out by what he says. He volunteers that he is “transphobic” so I guess that sticks, even though he means it ironically. There are plenty of transgender homophobes out there, however. They aren’t the least bit funny.
graphicjack
You guys realize she said this about him about 1.5-2 years ago, right? Is she supposed to be psychic and know that just after the release of her video of the tour that he’s going to say something offensive? Maybe he was always a dick and maybe the comparison to Baldwin is weird… I don’t follow his career or know much about him, but this is hardly on Madonna so why are you coming for her?
ladron
It’s a bad comparison – yesterday, today, tomorrow – Madonna needs to refrain from making such statements. James Baldwin is important to read and know: David Chumpelle? Not at all.
AntonioSciorra
Most commenter are fake FSB trolls. The rest are “useful idiots” as the FSB calls them. They help Putin dismantle the West by causing division and fighting. Don’t fall for it!
ScottOnEarth
Madonna is not someone whose opinion really matters. She lost touch with any sort of reality years ago, being surrounded by people who are on her payroll in one form or another a live to please her. She “values” her LGBTQ fans when it is convenient but she is ridiculously clueless to the real world, given the artificial bubble she lives in.
AntonioSciorra
You don’t know shit about Madonna. You’re a paid troll yourself.
customartist
Well, that was a pretty stupid thing to say, despite any recent developments.
SDR94103
GOODBYE NONNA.
AntonioSciorra
Hello you’re a Russian Disinformation troll
sam83
First of all her comment was dumb and weak correlation. But I think she means in being men of color speaking their minds. Second the footage is from before he went on his rant. Third if you’re going to hold Madonna accountable for Dave’s actions are you going to hold Gaga accountable for working with a convicted sex offender R Kelly? Rihanna for working with Chris Brown? Any ____ artist name for any homophobic rapper? lil Nas X is currently saying he wants to collaborate with Azalia Banks…where is the outage? Stop with the selective outrage. And those of you that are saying Madonna isn’t an ally STFU. She’s done more than 99.9% of you bitter queens
lykeitiz
Thank you! You will NEVER see a Gaga & R Kelly mention on this site, but Madonna is ALWAYS open season here.
AntonioSciorra
Thank you! I think half of these comments are just fake trolls
wiggie
The next James Baldwin??? People will say anything to get a headline.
LumpyPillows
By referencing an author most people have never heard of?
humble charlie
You can’t expect to get profound thoughts from entertainers either actors or singers. They deal with emotions and when you deal with emotions, no real thinking is going on. Ask them about the mechanics of singing or acting and, for the most part, they will be able to speak intelligibly about such things (maybe). Chapelle at times illuminates human hypocrisy and everyone is a hypocrite over something. Even Chapelle. And yet no one likes to think of themselves as a hypocrite.
I’m sure Madonna has read nothing that James Baldwin wrote (perhaps she read some quotes on the internet) let alone read a book by Baldwin. She may have seen him on youtube. And by doing so observed a superficial semblance between Baldwin and Chapelle. But it is only superficial.
thomm1622
Wow. Madonna your desperation to try and be relevant is starting to show. It is sad a woman of her maturity feels the need to try and shock people. The only woman I know who can do this still is Grace Slick and she at least comes from a more informed place than Madonna. Try to retire from the public eye before you become even more of an attention whore, if that is possible
lykeitiz
Grace Slick, who’s been locked in her attic painting for 40 years vs Madonna, currently being featured for her documentary of her most recent ($50M) tour. Yeah….ok.
LumpyPillows
Madonna is Madonna, she says whatever pops into her head for shock value. She is what she is. I like her music and performances, but cringe whenever she speaks. It usually isn’t great. I’ll agree that I don’t think she’s the deepest well, but she does have talent. Well, if you ignore acting.
MrCroft
That’s probably a bit of a bold comparison, though I think Madonna meant it in a very broad sense (obviously a novelist and a stand-up comedian don’t have much to do with each other)
However, I find Dave Chapelle brilliant.
As an LGBTQ+ activist I think there are so many problems within the community that are not leading us to progress and unity among the many diversities, but are leading us to divisions. And I think Dave Chappelle definitely highlights those, provocatively and of course with his comedy.
Madonna is a feminist, no question, I’m not a fan but I do listen to a few of her songs and from an artistic (not talent) standpoint, I consider her the best pop bitch of all time.
She has always done so much for our community, maybe more than any other pop singer. And she’s her friend, clearly smart enough to understand her comedy and not to mistake everything for homophobia.
It’s called COMEDY. Every minority gets roasted and satired. Part of what he’s saying are true observations/critique, the other part is just satire. If you can’t laugh at yourself it means you are not a self-improving human being and that you are a hard nut to crack.
AntonioSciorra
Very well said. I agree with all of your points.
BoomerMyles
I don’t know why people say Madonna is an ally. She has verbally bashed many prominent gay men like Ian McKellen, Elton John and even cruelly outed her own brother.
Now she’s comparing transphobe Chappel to queer icon James Baldwin?
Boo, Madonna!
AntonioSciorra
You’re lying. You’re a paid Russian Disinformation troll
wikidBSTN
I was shocked when I saw her on Jimmy Fallon. She looks HORRIBLE. Seriously, at first I thought she was a very poor excuse of a drag queen (no offense to those quality drag queens out there). My jaw dropped when I realized who it was.
AntonioSciorra
What a misogynistic, anti- feminist, vapid thing to say. It makes you irrelevant. Your post should be flagged or go viral with how caveman it is.
tyrammstein
mandonna would make her daughter eat dog shit if she thought it would help her dead career or garner much needed validating attention as she fades into total irrelevance.
her recent visit to jimmy fallon was an exercise in how to embarrass oneself and being totally unaware of how low she is sinking.
it does not matter what she really thinks..she will say or do whatever ( as she has in the past) to get attention and validate her low self esteem and make her feel relevant again. sad thing. do not pity her ignore her.
AntonioSciorra
I bet you Madonna at least knows how to use punctuation and capitalize words! Those skills seem to still be a challenge for you. Good luck with your illiteracy.
Halfnhalf
ONE QUESTION: HOW MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIKED THE VIDEO, OR THOUGHT IT WASN’T OFFENSIVE ARE TRANSGENDER OR EVEN GAY? IF YOU AREN’T EITHER WHY AM i READING YOUR CIS HET COMMENTS? THIS ISN’T ABOUT YOU!
AntonioSciorra
I’m a gay as the day is long and I love both Chappelle and Madonna. Read thru my comments throughout this section. STOP SCREAMIMG AT US IN ALL CAPS. WE DON’T ALL HAVE TO BELIEVE TRANS FOLKS ARE SAINTS. NOR ARE THEY HEROES. IN FACT, I KNOW 3 THAT AREN’T SAINTS. THEY ARE HIDING FROM THE FACT THEY COMMITTED CRIMES. IT’S OK THEY WERE CAUGHT.