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Madonna Speaks Out After Panned Prince Tribute At Billboard Awards

Questlove also defended the singer's performance.
Singer Madonna is seen on stage during the 2016 Billboard Music Awards for her Prince tribute.
JB Lacroix via Getty Images
Singer Madonna is seen on stage during the 2016 Billboard Music Awards for her Prince tribute.
Singer Madonna is seen on stage during the 2016 Billboard Music Awards for her Prince tribute.
JB Lacroix via Getty Images
Singer Madonna is seen on stage during the 2016 Billboard Music Awards for her Prince tribute.

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through Madonna's much-hyped performance honoring Prince at the Billboard Music Awards.

Many were unhappy with the singer's tribute to Prince Rogers Nelson on Sunday night, which featured Stevie Wonder and a lot of purple. Prior to the show, fans started a Change.org petition to stop the "Material Girl" from performing.

After the tribute, Twitter attacked Madonna for her lackluster showing, and BET made sure people knew its tribute to the "Purple Rain" singer would be much better.

BET tweeted out a link to their own Prince tribute, with a video that showed the words, "Yeah, we saw that. Don't worry. We Got You."

Madonna didn't seem too bothered, sharing a series of photos after the awards show.

"Anyone who wants to do a tribute to Prince is welcome to," Madonna wrote on her social media accounts on Monday morning, most likely after seeing the criticism of her performance. "Whatever your age Gender or skin Color. If you loved him and he inspired you then show it!!!! I love Prince 4 ever πŸ’œβ˜”οΈπŸ‘‘πŸ™πŸ»"

Questlove, who introduced the duo's performance, later took to Twitter to defend Madonna's tribute.

Questlove has a point. Of course no one will ever compare to Prince, but we as viewers (and fans) must prepare ourselves for tributes to the singer of all kinds as awards season gears up again in the fall.

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