After years of bitter public disputes and heated exchanges, two of the biggest pop icons in history, Sir Elton John and Madonna, have finally buried the hatchet. Their long-running feud, which began in the early 2000s, reached a surprising resolution over the weekend, marking the end of one of the most talked-about rivalries in the music industry.
The peace offering came after Sir Elton John performed on Saturday Night Live (SNL), showcasing tracks from his new album with Brandi Carlile. Madonna, who had attended the performance, used the opportunity to confront Elton in person. According to the Vogue singer, the moment was transformative. “The first thing out of his mouth was ‘forgive me,’ and the wall between us fell down,” she shared on Instagram.
Madonna, now 66, reflected on her decades-long admiration for Elton. “Seeing him perform when I was in high school changed the course of my life,” she wrote. For years, however, she had struggled with the public criticisms Elton had levelled against her. She noted, “Over the decades it hurt me to know that someone I admired so much shared his dislike of me publicly as an artist. I didn’t understand it.”
A whole lot of history
The roots of their rivalry can be traced back to 2004 when Elton made scathing remarks about Madonna’s performance style. At the Q Awards that year, he mocked her nomination for Best Live Act, controversially questioning her authenticity. “Since when has lip syncing been live?” he asked, before taking the jibe a step further, saying anyone who lip-syncs in concert should “be shot.” Madonna’s camp quickly denied the accusations, insisting she had always performed live, but the damage was done.
The feud escalated in subsequent years. In 2012, Elton infamously dismissed Madonna’s chances of winning a Golden Globe for Masterpiece, the song from her film W.E., stating she stood no “chance” of defeating him. When Madonna went on to win the award, she took a dig at Elton during her acceptance speech, saying, “I hope he speaks to me for the next couple of years.” It seemed their relationship had soured beyond repair.
However, this past weekend’s exchange between the two artists was notably different. After years of tension, the moment between them felt unexpectedly warm and genuine. Madonna, whose career and persona have often been defined by her resilience and willingness to challenge the status quo, admitted that she had long been hurt by Elton’s public disdain. Yet, she also expressed a willingness to move forward.
In her Instagram post, she teased the possibility of a collaboration, revealing that Elton had written a song for her and expressed an interest in working together. For fans, the idea of an Elton John-Madonna duet would be a dream come true. Both have left an indelible mark on the music industry, with their groundbreaking work inspiring generations of artists.
In response to Madonna’s post, Elton thanked her for her forgiveness, acknowledging that his past comments were uncalled for. “I’m not proud of what I said over the years,” he remarked, particularly acknowledging Madonna’s pioneering role in opening doors for women in the music industry. “She has paved the way for an entire generation of female artists to succeed and be true to themselves.”
The reconciliation has taken on a broader significance beyond just the personal. Elton noted his concern about the current state of divisiveness in the world and expressed a hopeful outlook for the future. “By pulling together, I’m hopeful that we can make great things happen for those who really need support,” he said.
As the music world watches closely, fans are left to wonder if this truce will lead to a creative renaissance for both icons. For now, though, we can celebrate the fact that two of the greatest musical minds of our time have decided to focus on what truly matters: collaboration, respect, and the joy of making music together.
