Madonna Follows Lady Gaga In Being Named ‘Woman Of The Year’ By ‘Billboard’

Billboard entered some controversy last year by naming Lady Gaga “Woman of the Year” in 2015 — a year where she didn’t have any big hits. Some people were so upset that they passed around letters to prove that Lady Gaga paid for the award, even though there was no confirmed proof. Even Prince got in on the movement, as the blog magazine Olisa TV reported.

“Two days ago, Lady Gaga was declared the Woman of the Year by the prestigious Billboard magazine. But American singer and multi-instrumentalist Prince has just kicked off a controversy after he reposted a letter from a Billboard employee hours after Lady Gaga was given the award, which insinuated that she bought it.”

The letter, which had never been verified, has been passed around by many on Twitter. It is allegedly from a former Billboard employee who quit after he learned that Billboard had been accepting charity money to give a certain artist the highly-coveted award last year. Many thought it was just a troll doing a troll’s work.

While Lady Gaga may not have been as big in 2015 as she was during 2009-2011, fans pointed out that she had a huge influence on the music industry and Billboard doesn’t necessarily give the Woman of the Year Award to the best-selling female artist each year. After all, as many have noted, Lady Gaga is largely responsible for bringing dance music back to the mainstream in the late 2000s.

In 2016, Billboard continued their legacy of honoring hugely influential women for their award, regardless of chart hits or not. Madonna, the biggest-selling female artist in history, is set to get the award this year. Billboard has the news.

“When the 11th annual Billboard Women In Music event hits New York City this winter, royalty will be present. Following a year where she extended her record as the highest-grossing female touring artist of all time, Madonna will receive Billboard’s 2016 Woman of the Year award.”

The article quotes Billboard Editorial Director Janice Min.

“With her creative vision, relentless innovation, and dedication to philanthropic causes, she is an inspiration to hundreds of millions of people around the world, all while shattering every career record out there. She is an important feminist on top of that, a one-of-a-kind artist who’s used her influence to change the conversation around women, sexuality and equal rights.”

Billboard notes that not only is Madonna the biggest-selling artist of all time in terms of pure record sales, but she is also the top-grossing solo touring artist of all time with $1.31 billion in concert tour grosses. There are some commenters after the article who think other artists are more deserving of the award.

“Billboard has become such a joke. Where is the recognition meant for Rihanna? She’s been the female artist with the most success on these charts literally this entire decade,” claims Melinda Dyson.

“I love Madonna, she should have got this long time ago but Adele, Rihanna, Beyonce or Sia deserves it more,” says Maz Max.

It’s important to note that many of the commenters aren’t anti-Madonna, and they believe she has not been given the recognition she deserves over her career. However, they believe that in 2016, the award should have been given to another woman. However, many on Twitter are thrilled that Madonna is being given Billboard’s top honor.

OH HELL YES! Noone deserves this more. Congratulations to THE Queen ????

— Karen J Caesar (@KJCaesar75) October 14, 2016

YEAH GIRL. Big congratulations going out to @Madonna! #womanoftheyear #madge -Emily https://t.co/C6uz4qGJmB

— Energy 95.3 (@Energy953Radio) October 14, 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YutKcl22ajY

This news couldn’t come at a better time for Madonna. Despite grossing $170 on her “Rebel Heart Tour,” much of the press over the past couple of years has focused on how Madonna is over with, too old to be a pop star, and a bad mother for wanting custody of her son Rocco. Fans hope Madonna can give an inspirational speech when she accepts Billboard’s prestigious award.

[Featured Image by KGC-195/STAR MAX/IPx/AP Images]