Madonna is under fire for posting photos of dead black civil rights advocates–Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Bob Marley–with a black cord wrapped around their face in hopes of promoting her latest album “Rebel Heart.”
The cover for her album is a photo of Madonna with the same black cord, which she calls a “rebel ribbon,” tangled around her face with the words “Rebel Heart” written in black on her collarbone. The 56 year old posted similar photos of other celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Miley Cyrus and John Lennon in previous days, but it was her photos from Friday that sent the Internet over the edge.
Madonna released a statement late Friday night defending the doctored photos. From “USA Today:”
“Madonna said she was not comparing herself to them but acknowledging that they were rebels. She also said the images were fan-generated and defended herself against claims of racism, adding she also posted other famous faces who were not black.”
And yes, there was even a statue of Jesus.
But it’s likely Madonna is just trying to stay relevant in a world she is increasingly not. I mean, she did pose naked just a few weeks back. (RELATED: Yes, Even Madonna Is Going Topless Now)