Fans have expressed concern at pop legend Madonna’s appearance at the 2023 Grammy Awards - with some suggesting she “didn’t look” like herself.
The 64-year-old, seven-time Grammy-winner introduced Sam Smith and Kim Petras’s performance of Unholy at the star-studded awards on Sunday night.
Earlier in the night, the duo won the Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Petras made history by becoming the first transgender artist to win the award.
But it was Madonna’s looks that gained the attention of some viewers.
One wrote: “[I turned on the television and] it was Madonna and I had to get up and stand closer to make sure it was her.”
Another wrote on Twitter: “What has happened to #madonna?? Is it just me or does she look like someone who looks like Madonna?”
.@Madonna: "Are you ready for a little controversy?" #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/uvwduBhaHg
— MTV NEWS (@MTVNEWS) February 6, 2023
Ariadne Quinn wrote: “Madonna doesn’t even look like Madonna anymore” while another added: “She hardly resembles the Madonna I fell in love with.”
A different viewer commented: “So, I am just now watching the #GRAMMYs. Madonna doesn’t quite look like @Madonna to me.”
Madonna hailed the “the rebels out there” while brandishing a whip as she introduced the performance. The star asked: “Are you ready for a little controversy?”
Smith wore a top hat featuring devil horns while Petras performed in a cage and both sported crimson outfits.
On the red carpet, Smith wore a floor-length scarlet coat with oversized collar which they paired with a top hat and cane, while Petras opted for a mini-dress and matching red heels.
They were also accompanied by Gottmik and Violet Chachki, from RuPaul’s Drag Race, who appeared in their music video.
During her acceptance speech, Petras thanked the “transgender legends” who had “kicked open the doors”. She also mentioned the pop legend, adding: “I don’t think I could be here without Madonna”,
It come as Madonna added a second London show to her global tour featuring her greatest hits from four decades following “overwhelming pre-sale demand”.
The Queen of Pop will visit 35 cities during Madonna: The Celebration Tour, which kicks off in Vancouver in Canada on July 15 and will be followed by stops across North America.
The star will then cross over to Europe, where she will perform in 11 cities throughout the autumn.
The tour was expected to include just one performance at The O2 in London on October 14, as well as shows in Barcelona, Paris and Stockholm, and will finish at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam on December 1.
However, it was later announced the pop megastar will also take to the stage at London’s O2 on October 15 in back-to-back performances.
Billed as a “one-of-a-kind experience”, the tour also features special guest Bob the Drag Queen, real name Caldwell Tidicue, across all dates.
