Prince Refused To Film A Video With Madonna, Ex Defends Late Musician Amid Madonna’s Tribute Backlash
When the Billboard Music Awards announced that Madonna would be doing a tribute to Prince, people were puzzled, to say the least. Some were outright shocked that the BBMAs decided to go with Madonna and not someone who was similar in style. The argument was that Madonna was close with Prince, but now reports suggest they might not have been that close after all.
According to TMZ, Prince’s ex-girlfriend Anna Fantastic has come forward to defend the late singer amid the backlash that Madonna’s tribute has caused. According to Anna, Prince didn’t even want to shoot a video with Madonna for their 1989 song “Love Song.”
She explained to the outlet, “You know, I was there when they recorded their duet together… and she really wanted to do a music video and he refused. I heard the phone conversation.”
She continued, “I think he liked the song, but he didn’t want to do the video. I even said, ‘You and Madonna in a video could be really cool.’ And he said, ‘Me and Madonna in a video? No thanks.'”
It’s said that when Madonna was in the middle of her divorce to actor Sean Penn, she tried to play the “sympathy card” with Prince. Prince’s response was simple.
“What does your divorce have to do with me or this song?”
Madonna Defends Her Prince Tribute, TAKE THAT! (via @lovebscott) https://t.co/krHAWiwLjI
— TMZ (@TMZ) May 25, 2016
Of course, Madonna made headlines this week for a less-than-stellar tribute to Prince. Prince’s friend Tamron Hall agreed with the general public that the performance, which features Stevie Wonder, just wasn’t good enough. The Today show correspondent opened up about what she thought about Madonna’s performance of “Nothing Compares 2 U.”
“I did not like that performance. I’m just being honest. I love Madonna, and right before the performance, a writer called me and said, ‘What do you think about Madonna?’ and I said ‘No comment.’ I loved the idea of Madonna — they had a friendship, they knew each other. I wasn’t against her doing it, but once I heard her unfortunately I didn’t like it.”
She went on to say, “I have to compartmentalize. I’ve learned in the last few weeks there’s Prince the artist and then there’s Prince the personal part of my life. I did not like that version. I’m just being honest, and I love Madonna.”
BET was one of the first media companies to start the backlash against Madonna after the performance aired.
In a tweet promoting their own Prince tribute, BET said, “Yeah we saw that. Don’t worry, we got you.”
Questlove answered to the criticisms as well:
Naturally there will be folded arms & shade thrown because the Purple Standard is hard boots to fill & a lot of us don't wanna come 2 grips
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) May 23, 2016
Now anger is in the air w who (in our eyes) is allowed to mourn & how they are allowed to mourn.—none of us were prepared for his death
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) May 23, 2016
And EVERYBODY wants and deserves a chance to say goodbye in their own way. But remember: there will be AMAs, SoulTrain, NAACP, mtv, GRAMMYS
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) May 23, 2016
Even Madonna responded back to critics after the Prince performance. That said, it doesn’t look like Madonna is hurt by anyone’s words.
She took to Instagram and shared a photo from the tribute, writing, “Anyone who wants to do a tribute to Prince is welcome to. Whatever your age Gender or skin Color. If you loved him and he inspired you then show it!!!! I love Prince 4 ever.”
She shared several other photos from the night and seemed proud of the moment.
[Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images]
