Madonna slams ageist reaction to her Grammys appearance

The Queen of Pop has reacted after her Grammys appearance – specifically her face – became the butt of jokes.

Madonna has slammed the reaction to her shock appearance at the Grammys as “ageism and misogyny”.

The Material Girl has been the subject of jokes and memes about her facially refreshed look when she surprised Grammy viewers to introduce the devilish performance of the Grammy-winning song Unholy by LGBTQ pop superstars Sam Smith and Kim Petras.

Petras made an emotional speech to accept the Best Pop Duo Performance award as the first transgender woman to ever win a Grammy.

Madonna’s new look has stirred a social media frenzy. Picture: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images/AFP

On a long Instagram post responding to the social media commentary on her face, Madonna said the focus should have been on the fearlessness of Smith and Petras instead of “close-up photos of me taken with a long lens camera by a press photographer that would distort anyone’s face!!”

On the post, which featured video of her partying with Smith, the pop pioneer who celebrates 40 years in show business this year called out the ageist response to her Grammys appearance.

“Once again I am caught in the glare of ageism and misogyny that permeates the world we live in,” she wrote.

“A world that refuses to celebrate women pass (sic) the age of 45 and feels the need to punish her If she continues to be strong willed, hard-working and adventurous.”

The music icon has been quick to react. Picture: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Madonna added she remained committed to pushing boundaries for women in the arts.

“I have never apologised for any of the creative choices I have made nor the way that I look or dress and I’m not going to start,” she posted.

“I have been degraded by the media since the beginning of my career but I understand that this is all a test and I am happy to do the trailblazing so that all the women behind me can have an easier time in the years to come.

“In the words of Beyonce ‘You-won’t break my soul’.

Madonna’s legion of diehard Australian fans remain hopeful she will bring her Celebration tour here after announcing shows in North America and Europe.