Wheelchair-bound Madonna fan reacts to singer slamming her for sitting down

16 March 2024 , 23:15

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Madonna came under fire for her challenge

A disabled Madonna fan who was scolded by the superstar for sitting down at her concert has spoken out about the incident.

Vanessa Gorman who is wheelchair-bound after being made paraplegic following a car accident in 1999 shared her opinion on the shocking moment the chart-topper demanded she stand up during a recent gig. The exchange between Madonna and Vanessa was caught on camera by some attendees of the Los Angeles gig who then uploaded the clip to social media.

Vanessa has now admitted that she feels there was no intentional cruelty in what was said to her - and that she hasn't held a grudge against Madonna for what happened. As she walked towards the edge of the stage during the concert in order to get a closer look at Vanessa, the singer was heard saying: “What are you doing sitting down over there? What are you getting sitting down?”

READ MORE: Madonna suffers heavy fall as she takes awkward tumble on stage mid-song

Madonna was filmed calling out the woman

She then realised her mistake and offered an apology - of sorts - to Vanessa adding: “Oh, OK. Politically incorrect. Sorry about that. I’m glad you are here.” Speaking to TMZ, Vanessa said: "Some people are in wheelchairs and can stand — she had no idea I was paralysed."

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While Vanessa has no hard feelings, those viewing the video of the brief exchange online have a less favourable view of the incident. One wrote: “That is a sad apology! What the heck. Refund them their ticket!!” A second added: “She did not apologize enough." A third said: “Maam, there are 100 reasons why someone might sit- and all of them are valid."

Madonna has been touring the world for months (WireImage for Live Nation)

It's not the only awkward ordeal to take place on Madonna's lengthy tour, only last month she narrowly avoided serious injury after falling off a chair during her sell-out gig in Seattle. She took a tumble while performing her 1986 Open Your Heart at the city’s Climate Pledge Arena over the weekend. Footage on social media shows the pop icon sitting on the chair as it was being dragged across the stage backwards by a backing dancer, who was wearing sky-high heels.

The crowd gasped as he stumbled prompting the chair to fall to the floor, with Madonna hitting the stage with a bump. However, the award-winning singer laughed off the incident, and could be seen rolling across the floor giggling as she was helped up by her other backing dancers. Ever the professional, Madge managed to continue singing her song, before standing up to finish her musical number.

Ayeesha Walsh