Nearly a decade after a gunman killed 49 people and injured 53 others at a Florida nightclub, Madonna is using their current tour to shine a light on the lives lost in “the largest terrorist attack in America since 9/11.”
As Madonna stood on stage at the Kaseya Center during one of her Celebration Tour shows in Miami on Tuesday, she reflected on the June 12, 2016, shooting at the gay nightclub Pulse in Orlando.
“I want to draw attention to this moment because nightclubs, music and dance bring us together. “It shouldn’t be places or things we do that bring us sadness, tragedy, murder, death, pain, suffering and trauma,” she told the audience. “But unfortunately people are still stuck in a bit of a rut.”
The seven-time GRAMMY winner, who has long been an ally of the LGBTQ+ community, noted that she invited some survivors and their families, as well as families of those killed, to the show. “I will always stand up for the gays, always,” she continued, “because the gays have always stood up for me.”
Noting that she was “very emotional” about it as she audibly fought back tears, the pop icon admitted: “I make dance music. My job is to bring people together, make people dance, make people happy, not judge. This.” This shouldn’t happen.
As she concluded her message, Madonna called on all listeners and reminded them of their own responsibility to the common good.
“We are all guilty of discrimination in one way or another. That’s why we contribute to these hate crimes on a global level,” she said via People. “So I ask all of you to be aware of your responsibilities, and I ask all of you to remember that you have the ability to bring light into the world and make a difference.”
Following the seventh anniversary of the shooting last June, Madonna hospitalized with a bacterial infection — including a 48-hour medically induced coma – spurs the postponement of the tour.
“Thank you for your positive energy, prayers and words of healing and encouragement,” she wrote in an Instagram statement, breaking her silence about her near-death hospitalization. “I felt your love. I am on the road to recovery and incredibly grateful for all the blessings in my life. My first thought when I woke up in the hospital was my children. My second thought was, ‘I didn’t want to do that.’ I didn’t want to disappoint anyone who had worked tirelessly with me on my show over the last few months. My focus now is on my health and getting stronger and I assure you I will be back with you as soon as possible! The current plan is to postpone the North American portion of the tour and begin in Europe in October. I couldn’t be more grateful for your caring support.”
She officially launched the tour on October 14, 2023 in London and subsequently performed in Europe, the United States and Canada. The tour will culminate in a show in Rio de Janeiro on May 4th.
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