Controversy about a suggestive Madonna video that includes religious imagery mixed with sexual content? Is it the 1980s again?
Madonna’s new video, “Girl Gone Wild,” premiered on E! Tuesday night, and already is provoking mixed reactions. Some love it, some hate it, some are concerned about the use of relligious imagery, and others are saying that the singer is stealing ideas from Lady Gaga.
The bondage-infused video for the song "Girl Gone Wild" is packed full of sexual images mixed with religious symbolism. It begins with Madonna reciting the Catholic Act of Contrition, a prayer of repentence, and quickly displays a group of half-naked male dancers grabbing their crotches. Later, one man dons a crown of thorns.
But religious imagery and shocking the Catholic Church in which she was raised is nothing new for Madonna, and for some critics, that's exactly the problem.
“Madonna is finally running out of ideas and rehashing her own back catalogue… badly," writes Amelia Proud in the U.K.'s Daily Mail. "Madonna’s look echoes her Blonde Ambition period from the late ‘80s into the early ‘90s, but unlike this early video, which was banned by MTV for containing imagery of sadomasochism, voyeurism, and bisexuality, it is hardly shocking.”
Even some fans aren't loving the video. Many point out that it seems to borrow elements from Lady Gaga's "Alejandro" video, while others point out that Gaga borrowed from Madonna, meaning the Material Girl is actually reusing her own concepts.
“She looks amazing but I gotta say, men in heels? How 'Alejandro' of her, writes Katie G on E! Online. "Maybe it's a nod to Gaga for using Madge's imagery herself. Like the song.”
”Yawn ... I like Madonna and the song but the "watch me be controversial" video is so overdone,” comments a reader going by vciera. “The 'Alejandro' video reference is a good one and that was Gaga copying Madonna, I thought it was a tired concept then.”
While the Catholic Church has yet to comment on the religious aspects of the video, fans were quick to respond.
“Is there anyone out there disgusted that she is debasing the Act of Contrition?" wrote one fan on E! Online. "Hasn't she played that whole game out? She is tired and reaching for straws via shock value."
Despite any criticisms or religious counters she may spark, Madonna continues to abide by her own motto. In another song off her upcoming "MDNA" album, due out March 26, she sings, "I don't care what the people say. I'm gonna be all right, gonna live fast and I'm gonna live right. If you have a problem I don't care."
And many fans remain loyal to the singer, controversy or no.
Ray Andrew Koh offers support on Madonna’s Facebook page, “50 something, 60s, 70s etc. I’ll still watch what Madonna will do."
You can watch the video here. (Warning: Graphic content.) What do you think? Tell us on Facebook.
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