Madonna and Elton John Reconcile After Decades of Feud, Hint at Future Collaboration
- Victor Nwoko
- Apr 8
- 2 min read
Madonna has announced that she and Sir Elton John have reconciled after a long-standing feud, and suggested the possibility of a musical collaboration between the two. The breakthrough came after Madonna attended John’s performance with Brandi Carlile on Saturday Night Live, where the pair performed “Little Richard’s Bible” from their collaborative album Who Believes In Angels?
The feud between the two icons began in 2002, when John criticized Madonna’s theme song for the James Bond film Die Another Day, calling it “the worst Bond tune ever.” The tension escalated in 2004 when John, while on stage at the Q Awards, dismissed Madonna as a live performer, saying “Madonna, best live act? Fuck off,” and accused her of lip-syncing. Over the years, the artists exchanged several critical remarks in public.
On Monday, Madonna, whose full name is Madonna Ciccone, posted on Instagram that the feud had come to an end. “We finally buried the hatchet,” she wrote. She described how John’s recent appearance on SNL brought back memories of sneaking out of her home during high school to see him perform live in Detroit—an experience she called “unforgettable” and life-changing.
“I had always felt like an outsider growing up and watching him on stage helped me to understand that it was OK to be different, to stand out, to take the road less travelled. In fact, it was essential,” she said. “Over the decades it hurt me to know that someone I admired so much shared his dislike of me publicly as an artist. I didn’t understand it.”
Motivated by a mix of nostalgia and a desire for closure, Madonna decided to attend SNL after learning John would be the musical guest. Backstage, she said, they spoke privately. John reportedly asked for forgiveness and the two embraced. Madonna said John told her he had written a song for her and wanted to collaborate.
In response, John took to Instagram to thank Madonna for attending the show and for her forgiveness, admitting he was not proud of the remarks he made in the past. He praised Madonna’s advocacy during the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s and her influence in paving the way for a new generation of female artists.
“I’m grateful we can move forward,” he wrote, adding that he is increasingly distressed by the current state of divisiveness in the world. John emphasized that both he and Madonna have been embraced by marginalized communities globally, and expressed hope that they can now work together to support those in need.
John’s current album with Carlile, Who Believes In Angels?, is on track to become his 10th UK No. 1 album.
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