Madonna’s powerful Billboard Woman of the Year speech

MADONNA has been praised for her emotional speech about sexism and misogyny in the entertainment industry.

Madonna on stage at the Billboard awards.

MADONNA has been praised for her emotional speech about sexism and misogyny in the entertainment industry.

Speaking at the annual Billboard Women In Music event where she was named Woman of the Year, the 58-year-old took to the stage and told the star-studded audience, “I stand before you as a doormat ... Oh, I mean, as a female entertainer”.

“Thank you for acknowledging my ability to continue my career for 34 years in the face of blatant sexism and misogyny and constant bullying and relentless abuse,” Madonna said.

“I was of course inspired by Debbie Harry and Chrissie Hynde and Aretha Franklin, but my real muse was David Bowie. He embodied male and female spirit and that suited me just fine. He made me think there were no rules. But I was wrong. There are no rules — if you’re a boy. There are rules if you’re a girl.

“If you’re a girl, you have to play the game. You’re allowed to be pretty and cute and sexy. But don’t act too smart. Don’t have an opinion that’s out of line with the status quo. You are allowed to be objectified by men and dress like a slut, but don’t own your sluttiness. And do not, I repeat do not, share your own sexual fantasies with the world. Be what men want you to be, but more importantly, be what women feel comfortable with you being around other men. And finally, do not age. Because to age is a sin. You will be criticised and vilified and you will definitely not be played on the radio.”

The audience was captivated by Madonna’s speech.

Madonna said life was easier when she married Sean Penn in 1985, but she once again became a punching bag for the press when they split in 1989.

“Eventually I was left alone because I married Sean Penn, and not only would he would bust a cap in your ass, but I was off the market,” she said.

“For a while I was not considered a threat. Years later, divorced and single — sorry Sean — I made my Erotica album and my Sex book was released. I remember being the headline of every newspaper and magazine. Everything I read about myself was damning. I was called a whore and a witch.

“One headline compared me to Satan. I said, ‘Wait a minute, isn’t Prince running around with fishnets and high heels and lipstick with his butt hanging out?’ Yes, he was. But he was a man.

“This was the first time I truly understood women do not have the same freedom as men.”

The Material Girl ended the speech with a passionate plea to women around the world.

“We have to start appreciating our own worth and each other’s worth,” she said.

“Seek out strong women to befriend, to align yourself with, to learn from, to collaborate with, to be inspired by, to support, and enlightened by.”

Talk show host James Corden tweeted that Madonna’s speech was “exceptional”.

Originally published as Madonna’s powerful Billboard Woman of the Year speech