Madonna's reaction to the controversy was a statement saying, "Art should be controversial, and that's all there is to it."įilmed as a fast-paced time-lapse exploration of everyday life in cities around the world, the Jonas Akerlund directed music video for "Ray Of Light" is one of Madonna's most celebrated. Journalists and critics praised the provocative blend of sex, religion, and statements against racism. The music video is frequently listed as one of the top groundbreaking music videos of all time. Ultimately the MTV Video Music Awards nominated "Like a Prayer" for Video of the Year. Pope John Paul II intervened on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church and encouraged Italian music fans to boycott Madonna. The soft drink company caved and pulled the advertising campaign but allowed Madonna to keep her five million dollar advance. Religious groups around the world protested the music video and called for boycotts of Pepsi and its subsidiaries including the fast food chains Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut. Pepsi signed a promotional agreement with Madonna that resulted in her premiering a Pepsi commercial during the "Cosby Show" the day before the first airing of the controversial "Like a Prayer" video.
However, the music video also adds additional symbolism with burning crosses, the mistaken arrest of a Black man, tears from a religious icon, and the religious ecstasy of a gospel choir. Actor Leon Robinson portrays a saint inspired by Martin de Porres, the patron saint of mixed-race people and those who seek interracial harmony. At the core of the concepts in the video is a forbidden interracial love story. Madonna aimed for the "Like a Prayer" music video to be the most challenging and provocative work yet of her career. "Rolling Stone" listed "Vogue" as the #2 music video of all time in 1999 second only to Michael Jackson's "Thriller." The "Vogue" music video received nine MTV Video Music Award nominations winning three awards. The choreography was designed by Karole Armitage who earned a Tony Award nomination for the choreography of the 2009 revival of the Broadway musical "Hair." What remained was a gorgeous and elegant tribute to the practice of voguing developed in the underground gay ballroom culture. MTV asked for it to be removed, but Madonna refused. Madonna generated controversy by wearing a lace blouse that seems to expose her breasts. "Vogue" was filmed on an art deco themed set. Close-up poses echoed images of Hollywood stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, and Jean Harlow. Many of the scenes in the video are deliberate recreations of the classic black and white 1940s fashion photography work of Horst P.
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The clip was directed by David Fincher who would later become one of the most celebrated contemporary movie directors. Many of the dancers also appeared with Madonna on her "Blond Ambition" concert tour.
Hundreds of dancers auditioned for the parts in Madonna's "Vogue" music video.