Madonna and Elton John have finally buried the hatchet after decades of public spats and feuds. The revelation came from the Queen of Pop herself on April 7, 2025, when she shared a touching Instagram post featuring a photo of the two music legends sharing a hug backstage at Saturday Night Live (SNL). The reconciliation took place after John performed on the show over the weekend of April 5-6, 2025.
The history of animosity between Madonna, 66, and John, 78, dates back to 2002 when John criticized her song "Die Another Day," calling it the "worst Bond tune ever." This comment sparked a series of public jabs between the two artists, including John's infamous remarks at the 2004 Q Awards where he mocked Madonna's nomination for Best Live Act by saying, "Madonna, best live act? F*** off. Since when has lip-syncing been live?" He further stated that anyone who lip-syncs in public should be "shot." Madonna's publicist responded at the time, asserting that Madonna does not lip-sync or spend her time disparaging other artists.
Fast forward to the recent reunion, and Madonna reflected on the emotional toll their feud took on her. In her Instagram post, she expressed, "Over the decades it hurt me to know that someone I admired so much shared his dislike of me publicly as an artist. I didn’t understand it." She recounted how she had been a fan of John's since her teenage years, recalling a pivotal moment when she snuck out to see him perform live in Detroit, a performance that she described as unforgettable and transformative.
After learning that John was the musical guest on SNL, Madonna felt compelled to confront him. She described how their meeting unfolded: "When I met him, the first thing out of his mouth was, 'Forgive Me,' and the wall between us fell down. Forgiveness is a powerful tool. Within minutes, we were hugging." This moment of reconciliation not only mended their friendship but also hinted at a potential collaboration, with John mentioning he had written a song for her.
In response to Madonna’s post, John expressed his gratitude for her forgiveness, stating, "Thank you for coming to see me at SNL. And thank you for forgiving me and my big mouth. I’m not proud of what I said, particularly when I think about all the groundbreaking work you have done as an artist." He acknowledged Madonna's significant contributions to music and her advocacy for HIV/AIDS awareness in the 1980s.
The feud between the two artists wasn't just limited to snarky comments; it escalated over the years with John's husband, David Furnish, also weighing in after Madonna won the Golden Globe for Best Original Song in 2012, beating John's entry. Furnish described her acceptance speech as "embarrassing in its narcissism," further fueling the fire of their rivalry.
In a 2012 interview, John made headlines again by labeling Madonna a "nightmare" and saying her career was "over," remarks that were broadcast live. He later regretted these comments, admitting in his memoir that he was furious and had said horrible things during an off-the-cuff interview. He emphasized that he never intended for those remarks to be public.
Despite the ups and downs, John has previously stated that he and Madonna had made amends, particularly after a chance encounter in a restaurant in France in 2013. However, it seems that it took another decade for Madonna to fully accept his apology, culminating in their recent heartfelt reunion.
Now, with their differences behind them, both artists expressed hope for future collaborations and a united front against the divisiveness in the world. John remarked, "I’m increasingly distressed by all the divisiveness in our world at the moment. By pulling together, I’m hopeful that we can make great things happen for those who really need support and have a lot of fun doing it."
This reconciliation not only marks a new chapter in their relationship but also highlights the transformative power of forgiveness and the importance of mending bridges in an industry often fraught with rivalry.
As fans celebrate this newfound harmony, many are left wondering what musical magic might come from this legendary duo now that they are on good terms. With John hinting at a collaboration, the music world eagerly anticipates what could be a monumental partnership between two of the most iconic figures in pop history.
