Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Kathy Griffin says jokes about Madonna’s hospitalisation stem from ‘ageism and misogyny’

Pop singer was recently released from a several-day hospital stay to treat a serious bacterial infection

Inga Parkel
Friday 30 June 2023 06:20 BST
Comments
Madonna Announces ‘The Celebration Tour’

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Kathy Griffin has spoken out against the internet trolls who have made insensitive jokes about Madonna’s recent health scare.

On Wednesday (28 June), the pop singer’s tour manager, Guy Oseary, announced on Instagram that Madonna had developed a “serious” bacterial infection over the weekend, which led to a “several-day stay in the ICU [Intensive Care Unit]”.

Oseary reassured that a “full recovery is expected”, however, the 64-year-old’s forthcoming Celebration tour has been postponed.

While numerous fans of the “Like A Virgin” singer have sent her well-wishes following the news of her medical incident, there have been others who have inappropriately made light of the situation.

Griffin defended the Queen of Pop against internet trolls in a recent TikTok video, saying: “I don’t know what’s going on with Madonna, but I love her and want to defend her.

“I don’t like how people are already piling on and making fun of her being obviously quite ill, or collapsed. She’ll be fine, we don’t know anything yet. But I’m going to be honest, I think a lot of it is ageism and misogyny.”

The comedian continued: “Sorry, but as a 62-year-old chick, I deal with it all the time, and she’s frickin’ Madonna!”

Referencing trolls who have criticised Madonna’s appearance in recent years, Griffin continued: “So I don’t care about her fillers, they’re going to go away if she feels like it or not.

“I care about her health, and I’m glad she can go back on this tour, and the tour is the greatest hits and she should be great.”

Amazon Music logo

Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music

Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)

Sign up
Amazon Music logo

Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music

Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)

Sign up

Madonna was scheduled to kick off her 84-date Celebration tour on 15 July in Vancouver, followed by stops across North America and Europe.

It is not yet known when the tour will be postponed, but Oseary clarified: “We will share more details with you as soon as we have them, including a new start date for the tour and for rescheduled shows.”

The greatest hits show will mark Madonna’s 12th concert tour and comes two years after she last toured in 2019 in support of her 14th studio album, Madame X.

In January, Madonna announced the tour, telling fans on Instagram to “come join the party”.

She also promised to “explore as many songs as possible in hopes to give my fans the show they have been waiting for”.

Follow here for real-time updates about Madonna’s health.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in