"I did not intend to do a tribute to Aretha Franklin," said Queen of Pop Madonna, after facing backlash over her remarks about the late singer at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards.
The 60-year-old said she was supposed to present the award for video of the year and had been asked to share an anecdote about the late Queen of Soul.
"I was asked to present video of the year by MTV! And then they asked me to share any anecdotes I had in my career connected to Aretha Franklin!" the 'Hung Up' singer said in an Instagram post.
"I did not intend to do a tribute to her! That would be impossible in 2 minutes with all the noise and tinsel of an award show. I could never do her justice in this context or environment," she added.
Madonna was criticised for focusing on her own triumph rather than Franklin's legacy. Narrating a personal incident, the Grammy-award winning singer had said that in her early 20s, she auditioned before two French record producers and sang Franklin's hit '(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman' which helped launch her music career.
She added, "None of this would have happened, could have happened, without our lady of soul. She led me to where I am today. And I know she influenced so many people in this house night. In this room tonight. And I want to thank you, Aretha, for empowering all of us."
Franklin died at her home on August 16 due to a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour.
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