Controversies about Madonna

Her album, Like a Prayer, and its title track was given so much publicity as a result of its music video, featuring Madonna wearing a thin slip, dancing in front of a burning cross, and kissing an African American saint, that Pepsi canceled its sponsorship of her tour and the commercial that she had done for them because of complaints from religious groups. However, instead of realizing she had made a mistake, Madonna realized instead that scandal equals sales. People love it. So she used similar techniques to boost ticket sales for her Blonde Ambition Tour in 1990, her documentary in 1991, called Truth or Dare, and her X-rated book, Sex, as well as her album, Erotica, in 1992.

Although scandal had become synonymous with her name and dark roots, Madonna decided that she was too overexposed and decided to stay out of the spotlight for a while, appearing only in a few films such as Four Rooms and Blue in the Face, both in 1995, but not on stage in front of thousands of screaming fans. When she stepped back into the world of glitz and glamour, she had a new image, that of an expectant mother and serious actress. On October 14, 1996, Lourdes Maria Ciccone-Leon was born to Madonna and her boyfriend at the time, Carlos Leon. While pregnant, Madonna stared in the movie, Evita. She and one other actress were being seriously considered for the role, when Madonna had a full set of photos taken of herself dressed as the role would require, and baskets of goodies sent to the directors. She wanted that role more than anything, and she got it. She also got a Golden Globe for best actress in a musical or comedy for her performance.

Other controversies about Madonna can be summarized as below:

The "Virgin"/"Boy Toy" Controversy

The first Madonna controversy I am aware of is the title of her first #1 song and album 'Like A Virgin [Remastered]'. See, back in the early 1980s it was rather risque to hear the word "virgin" in the title of a song and to be sung over the radio. Add to that the fact that Madonna debuted the song at the first MTV awards, singing it in a full white wedding gown while writhing on the floor.
The other controversy of the era was that "Boy Toy" belt she used to wear.

Madonna ended this era of her career amid the controversial appearance of earlier nude shots of herself surfacing in "Playboy" and "Penthouse" magazine. (Many of those pictures can be found in 'Madonna Nude 1979'.)

The "Papa Don't Preach"/Abortion Controversy

With 1986's 'True Blue' Madonna reinvented herself, changing from the thrift store look of the Virgin era to a Marilyn Monroe platinum blonde bombshell. But the controversy overshadowed the music and the makeover: Madonna's song 'Papa Don't Preach [Germany CD Single]' raised many eyebrows and turned the critical tables on her. The song, which is about an unwed mother refusing to put her child up for adoption ("But my friends keep telling me to give it up," Madonna sings), was misinterpreted by many as being an anti-abortion anthem. Those who had formerly condemned Madonna were now praising her, while her former supporters were now accusing her of setting young girls on a course toward poverty.

The follow-up single "Open Your Heart" proved to be a point of controversy as well. This time, however, it was the video itself that upset some. In the video Madonna is dressed as a peep show dancer with tassels on her, well, you know.... At the end of the video she abandons her profession and dances into the sunset with a pre-teen fan who had been trying to see her act. Again, many missed the point. Madonna - whose character abandons her profession - was not encouraging young boys to hang out at strip clubs. Rather, she was making a statement about choosing innocence (symbolized by the young boy) over meaningless, anonymous sexual encounters.

The Blond Ambition/Truth Or Dare Controversy

Madonna launced the Blond Ambition world tour in 1990. This tour shocked many by its depiction of men in women's bras, Madonna in bullet-like breast plates, and her depiction of self-gratification. The finest moments of the tour were released in 1991 in her documentary 'Madonna - Truth or Dare', which garnered controversial attention for its behind-the-scene look at Madonna's life during the Blond Ambition tour, including shots of Madonna performing certain sexual skills on a bottle, as well as discussing lesbian experimentation with a friend during her teens.

The "Justify My Love" Controversy

Later that same year (1991), Madonna earned an honor that had been previously denied her: she was banned from MTV. Well, she herself was not banned. Her video 'Madonna - Justify My Love', complete with female nudity (bare breats), lesbian play, leather fantasies, and sadomasichism, was banned. But this led to an innovative idea: Madonna sold the video as the first ever "video single." She made millions!

The Evita Controversy

In 1995, Madonna was in Argentina filming her role as Eva Peron in the musical 'Evita'. This controversy did not really register in any other country, but in Argentina there were some people who opposed Madonna being cast as their legendary former first lady. Madonna would later win a Golden Globe award for her performance.

The Hindu Controversy

In 1998, Madonna generated controversy among some Hindu organizations for her MTV performance of the title track off of her album 'Ray of Light'. According to the organizations, Madonna was wearing sacred Hindu body drawings, which they found offensive because during her performance her breasts were often clearly visible.

Other controversies about can be read at
Madonna – Controversies continued…
You can also take a look at
Madonna – Queen of Pop
Madonna- A Biography.