After years of being pitted against each other in a music industry that seems to only have room for one unapologetic pop diva at a time, Gaga has finally extended an olive branch to Madonna.
So, after Madonna gave a heartfelt speech while accepting the Billboard Woman of the Year Award, in which she detailed just how tough her journey to the top has been, Gaga took to Twitter to thank her. “@Madonna your speech at the Billboard Music Awards was inspiring,” she wrote. “You’re so brave & strong. Thanks for being that for us girls we need that.”
@Madonna your speech at the Billboard Music Awards was inspiring. You're so brave & strong. Thanks for being that for us girls we need that.
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) December 12, 2016
During her speech, Madonna addressed her tough journey coming up in the music industry.
“Thank you for acknowledging my ability to continue my career for 34 years in the face of blank misogyny, sexism, constant bullying and relentless abuse,” she declared, before opening up about moving to New York in 1979 to start her career. “In the first year, I was held up at gunpoint, raped on a rooftop with a knife digging into my throat, and I had my apartment broken into so many times, I just stopped locking the door.”
“In the years to follow, I lost almost every friend I had to AIDS or drugs or gunshot,” she added. “As you can imagine, all of these unexpected events not only helped me become the daring woman that stands before you but it also reminded me that I am vulnerable and in life, there is no real safety except self-belief and an understanding that I am not the owner of my talents.”
Agencies/Canadajournal