The pop star Madonna desperately tried to apologize after calling out a wheelchair-bound fan for not standing during her concert in Los Angeles last Thursday.
Madonna’s Wheelchair-Bound Fan Faux Pas
Video that has since gone viral shows Madonna, 65, berating a fan for not standing up during her show at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, according to Fox News.
“What are you doing sitting down over there?” Madonna asked as she pointed directly at the person. “What are you doing sitting down?”
Madonna proceeded to walk down the runway to get a better view of the person. That’s when she noticed that the person was in a wheelchair, and she immediately tried to backtrack by apologizing.
“Oh, okay,” she said. “Politically incorrect. Sorry about that. I’m glad you’re here.”
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Fans Respond
Unfortunately for Madonna, however, social media users made it clear that she has not been forgiven.
“Politically incorrect isn’t it either. Ableism,” one social media user wrote in a viral comment. “If I paid for a seat, I’ll do what I want sit or stand. Concerts are exhausting, hot, etc. nothing wrong with a break. I’m not a fan so I would never buy her tickets. If I was a fan, I wouldn’t be anymore.”
“As a Madonna fan and I person who will likely end up using a wheelchair in the future due to balance issues; I am highly disappointed. Some people fail to realize that disabilities come in many different ways. Just shameful,” this user added.
“Apologize now with normal sentiment for the wheelchair comment,” a second user commented. “It wasn’t ‘politically incorrect’ it was a total complete error on your part for assuming everyone at your age of concert goers can stand the entire time. Shame on you. You think wayyyy too highly of yourself.”
“What an absolute disgrace! Shame on her! That’s unacceptable!” a third user wrote.
Others, however, defended Madonna.
“I’ve been to the show. There’s a part where during the show she asks everyone to stand up. It’s not about who’s sitting/standing during the entire show. Just 1 section she asks for participation. And this time she embarrassed herself,” one fan explained, with another adding, “Its not that serious. Leave her alone!”
“It’s good to see Madonna being quick to recognize and apologize for unintentional mistakes,” a third fan commented. “It’s important to be considerate and inclusive of all audience members, regardless of their abilities.”
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Madonna’s Celebration Tour
Billboard reported that Madonna launched a five-night stand at the Kia Forum last Monday, and she is set to take the stage there again tonight. Her Celebration Tour is described as being “a career-spanning look back on her hits, personal struggles, pop culture impact and enduring influence.”
During her opening night in Los Angeles, Madonna revealed that the severe bacterial infection that she suffered in June of last year made it impossible to move around at one point.
“This summer I had a surprise,” she said as she held a cowboy hat in one hand and a guitar in the other. “It’s called a near-death experience.”
Madonna has yet to offer any further comment on her wheelchair-bound fan faux pas at the time of this writing.
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