Update: Video and more Instagram posts added
Madonna’s Rebel Heart album artwork, which shows the pop queen’s face entangled in black string, has created a slew of memes that have translated the effect to other famous heads, from Marilyn Monroe to Homer Simpson. On Friday (Jan. 2), Madonna went one step further, altering the visages of Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and Bob Marley in order to describe the famous civil rights leaders as “rebel hearts” like herself.
In the hours since they were posted to Twitter and Instagram, the images have provoked hundreds of user comments from her 2.6 million Instagram followers and 524,000 Twitter followers, some decrying the pictures as insensitive and others defending Madonna’s artistic license.
Madonna explained herself on Instagram…
I would like to thank all my fans for recreating my album cover with the Rebel Heart ribbon on the faces of so many Great Hero’s. It shows that you are also celebrating and in admiration of these great freedom fighters! When I repost these images i am saying YES! These people are all Rebel Hearts in one way or another from Martin Luther King to Jesus to Nelson Mandela to John Lennon. YES! Lets celebrate them! The world needs more people like them. I hope to one day accomplish. 1 100th of what these Rebel Hearts have accomplished. As I Said in a previous post “I walk in the footsteps of Giants” and i will continue to do so G*D willing. They are my guiding light. #rebelheart #livingforlove
She also apologised on Facebook…
I’m sorry
I’m not comparing my self to anyone
I’m admiring and acknowledging there Rebel Hearts
This is niether a crime or an insult or racist!
I also did it with Michael jaclson and frida khalo and marilyn monroe
Am I saying I am them
NO
I’m saying they are Rebel Hearts too.
And
I didn’t do it
My fans did
And I just re posted those photos
My fans aren’t racist either
If they put me in the same category as these other people
Thank you. I’m very flattered and I hope one day to live up to 1 100th of what those people accomplished.
Here are the original Instagram posts…
This #rebelheart sang about ONE LOVE!
This #rebelheart fought for freedom!
This #rebelheart had a dream!
Madonna has since then continued with the #RebelHeart themed pictures on her Instagram…
Basquiat! Yes anoher #rebelheart !! Another person i look up to and admire. None of these #rebelhearts are perfect they are human and come from all walks of life but all have one thing in common. All Freedom Fighters! All Brave! And all have inspired me as an Artist and a Human. revolutionoflove #artforfreedom #livingforlove #rebelheart
Yes Princess Diana was. #rebelheart! Anyone who fights for freedom is a #rebelheart
Being Destructive isn’t brave……you couldn’t say it to my face.. #joanofarc #rebelheart
Based on a Billboard.com article
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