This always comes up in response to Madonna, who- cosmetic procedures aside- works hard to maintain her dancer’s physique. And I always say this to young women who criticize her: how about you wait until you’re her age, then see how you feel about people half your age telling you how to dress and how to behave.

I just think its interesting that the very point she was making in her speech (women, don’t you dare get old!), explains her very motivation for her actions (that you and Paglia seem to find offensive). It’s different for women, and your post completely illustrates that point.

But what does it mean to be “dignified” and why is okay to police behaviour and sexuality of those who are X age? Why should she uphold societal expectations and definitions of dignity instead of resisting and doing what she chooses? Why was Prince’s sexuality always a positive and not hers?

Unlike, say, Steven Tyler? Iggy Pop? Keith Richards?

I’ve never understood why on one hand we tell young women to do whatever the hell they want with their bodies, as long as their is self love, yet on the other hand, old women must conform to a specific beauty and sartorial regimen, or else it shows that they’re not taking aging well. And what if they are not? So what?…

And excuse me, but why are you pursuing a spectacle five minutes after you got out of the psych ward? Fucking go the fuck home and get your mental house in order. Try taking a break from the fucking public displays, turn off your phone, and get to work saving your life.

Erotica—the entire album basically didn’t sound like anything else that was playing at the time. It has a great sound that was copied a lot after it came out. And the producers she used were tapped by many other artists afterwards as well.

I’m on team “no Madonna hate,” but that’s not what I came here for. James Corden is really the best part of these. He is so adorably excited about singing with the celebs he has in his car that it’s hard not to love any of these. He tears up on multiple occasions, says things like “People who say you should never…

Those ladies are not pushing the envelope. The thing that’s made Madonna famous is her ability to cause controversy and create news. Some call it attention-seeking, but that’s what being a star is. And here we are, all talking about her, so I say success!

Calm down people, this is the natural order of things. You rag on them now and then tell the world how amazing they are after they die. :P

But WHY is she sad? You are basically saying because she acts sexual she needs to go away and be ok with being a nostalgia act. She’s acting exactly how she’s always acted, and it’s true to her. She’s not Miley Cyrus...and the reason Cyrus can still make albums and be on TV is because Madonna took all the slut-shaming…

Madonna at 35 was still just as innovative as Beyonce, when people let her anyway.

Right? All of these Jez commenters are soooo fucking evolved. It’s depressing.

Glue factory?

I’m not denying his talent, not in a million years, but you’re acting like Madonna is doing these small little house shows when she’s consistently been having either the highest or second-highest grossing tours during the year that she has one. At the very least, for any female artist, she’s been earning the most from…

To the point about Prince:

He left the shock stuff behind because he became a Jehova’s Witness in the 90s, so it was less about the fact he said “Oh, I’m too old to be doing this” and more “Oh, I need to stop because now my church says I’m going to hell”.

Everything you said.....do you really think society would even let her be a trailblazer anymore? Because she’s put out some great music, but apparently once a female hits 40 it’s “copying”. Or “trying too hard”.

Yeah let’s all pile on a woman over the age of 40 for not acting how society deems she should have started acting 15 years ago. You can all fuck off with your selective feminism.

Madonna tries too hard. (Many say.)

The ageism going on here is pretty sad. There are clearly only certain ages at which women are “allowed” to be performers. Young and hot, up until about 35 (maybe 40 but that’s pushing it). And then you stay your wrinkling butt home until you’re in your 60's and can come back out as a retro novelty act.