On the eve of one of the year’s biggest music events, the Billboard Music Awards has issued a statement defending one of their special, yet controversial performances. In case you missed it, earlier this month, Billboard shared that Madonna will perform a special tribute to Prince during Sunday night’s airing. Not to our surprise, the program’s selection didn’t sit well with fans who felt that a Black artist should honor the late musical icon.
In fact, a one Stacey Flygirrl Wilson, launched a petition on change.org, demanding Billboard rethink their decision. “We cannot let Madonna be the main and only artist paying tribute to Prince during the 2016 Billboard Awards. He is more than worthy of a better choice as a main performer. Please sign and share this petition so that we can get a proper tribute on May 22, 2016. Timing is tight! Spread the word,” she wrote on change.org. Unfortunately for Wilson, the petition only garnered 8,754 supporters.
Now, in a statement published on the Associated Press, Mark Bracco, the show’s executive producer has backed the decision.
“Listen, I think everybody is entitled to their opinion and everyone can have their own opinion, but I will say that we are honored and could not be more excited for Madonna to be on the show and to pay tribute to someone that was her friend and her peer and her colleague,” said Bracco. “I think it’s going to be fantastic.”
Bracco went on to promise that Madonna’s tribute will preserve the awe and wonder of the Purple One’s presence in the musical sphere. “It’s going to be very, very intimate and very respectful, and I think it’s something that is really going to pay tribute to Prince as the incredible, groundbreaking artist that he was and the influence that he had on music,” he said.
The Billboard Music Awards will air on Sunday, May 22, at 8 p.m. on ABC. Will you be watching? Sound off in the comment section below.
