Spinner

Madonna Moments

Queen of Controversy

September 1984

September 1984: Madge shocked and awed the first-ever MTV Video Music Awards audience when she slithered her way across the stage wearing a revealing wedding dress, "Boy Toy" belt buckle and lace stockings during her provocative performance of 'Like a Virgin.' Critics denounced the sexual display as a means to mask a lack of talent.

Madonna Moments

Queen of Controversy

June 1986

Madonna created tension between her and reproductive rights advocacy organization Planned Parenthood with the release of the single 'Papa Don't Preach.' Many interpreted the song, which tells the story of a single mother-to-be choosing to keep her child, as anti-abortion. Those that previously denounced the singer's sexual follies, namely the Catholic Church, also fumed over the song's hot-button issue.

Madonna Moments

Queen of Controversy

March 1989

The video for 'Like a Prayer,' which featured allusions to stigmata and a thinly clad Madonna dancing and singing in a field of burning crosses, cost her a tour sponsorship from Pepsi. The cola company nixed its financial support after one airing of a commercial featuring the song after religious communities threatened a boycott.

Madonna Moments

Queen of Controversy

November 1990

The video for 'Justify My Love' was Madonna's first clip to be banned from MTV due to nudity, S&M roleplay, and gay and lesbian relations. The video was pulled last minute before its world premiere after the network deemed it too risqué. Madonna's label, Warner Bros., had the last word when the video was released as a video single -- also a first. It subsequently earned millions.

Madonna Moments

Queen of Controversy

October 1992

'Truth or Dare' and 'Justify My Love' were merely precursors to Madge's full-blown interest in bondage and sexual simulation, which became the crux of her erotic book 'Sex.' While the graphic content and appearances by Vanilla Ice, Naomi Campbell and Isabella Rossellini earned the singer plenty of publicity, the hype was chalked up to a strategically timed brouhaha to promote her new album, 'Erotica.'

Madonna Moments

Queen of Controversy

March 1994

Madonna trash-talked her way through an appearance on 'The Late Show With David Letterman,' dropping 13 F-bombs and repeatedly requesting that Letterman smell a pair of underwear she had brought with her. Her filthy vernacular earned the singer a boot from the show, but Madge refused to leave. The episode was the most bleeped in network talk show history.

Madonna Moments

Queen of Controversy

September 1998

Madonna's foray into Eastern religion seemed a positive one until the diva upset the World Vaishnava Association with her 'Ray of Light' performance at the MTV Video Music Awards. The organization was offended when Madge, who was sporting facial markings regarded as holy by Hindus, proceeded to gyrate "in a sexually suggestive manner with her guitar player" and wear a top "through which her nipples were clearly visible."

Madonna Moments

Queen of Controversy

March 2001

Madge got herself banned from MTV once more with the video for 'What It Feels Like For a Girl,' directed by her husband Guy Ritchie. The clip -- which finds the singer robbing an ATM, going on a violent joyride and eventually committing suicide -- was intended as a social commentary on the acceptance of violence in videos by men, versus the non-acceptance in those by women.

Madonna Moments

Queen of Controversy

August 2003

When Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera opened the 20th Annual MTV Video Music Awards wearing wedding gowns and singing 'Like a Virgin,' it seemed just kitschy enough to work. But then Madonna appeared from a wedding cake, dressed in a tuxedo, and it got really interesting. The three pop divas flirted, stroked and fondled their way through a rendition of Madge's 'Hollywood' before the climax: An open-lip kiss between Madonna and Britney, and then Madonna and Christina.

Madonna Moments

Queen of Controversy

May 2006

May 2006: Madonna kicked off her Confessions tour at the Los Angeles Forum by crucifying herself on a mirrored cross and wearing a crown of thorns. The pop provocateur's antics enraged the Catholic League but surprised nobody, as her two-decade-long career has been full of firestorms.