Inside the Long-Running Feud Between Madonna and Elton John And How It Ended

After years of public tension and harsh words, music legends Madonna and Elton John appear to have ended their feud. The two artists shared a heartfelt reunion backstage at Saturday Night Live over the weekend, culminating in what Madonna called a moment of “forgiveness” and mutual respect.

From Admiration to Public Spats

Madonna, known for her song Sorry which famously includes the lyric “Please don’t say ‘Forgive me’,” revealed in an Instagram post that Elton John used those very words when they met backstage at SNL. In her caption, she acknowledged the complicated history between them.

“I finally buried the hatchet,” she wrote, also reflecting on how John’s music had influenced her from an early age. Madonna recounted sneaking out as a teenager to attend one of his Detroit concerts, describing it as a pivotal experience that helped her embrace individuality and the unconventional path she would go on to take as an artist.

Despite that admiration, their relationship became strained over the years, marked by several highly publicized criticisms from John. “It hurt me to know someone I admired so much disliked me publicly,” Madonna admitted, adding that she went to SNL intending to address the issue directly.

A Private Meeting Turns Into a Public Reconciliation

According to Madonna, the tension dissolved quickly. “When I met him, the first thing out of his mouth was, ‘Forgive me,’ and the wall between us fell down,” she wrote. The two embraced, and John reportedly told her he had written a song for her and hoped to collaborate—an emotional full-circle moment for the Queen of Pop.

In her closing remarks, Madonna referenced John’s iconic ballad, writing: “And you can tell everybody, This is Your Song.”

Elton John Responds with Praise

Elton John responded in the comments, expressing his regret over past comments and acknowledging Madonna’s trailblazing contributions to music and activism. “I’m not proud of what I said,” he wrote, recognizing her role in paving the way for female artists and her early advocacy during the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s.

“I’m grateful we can move forward,” John added. He emphasized the need for unity amid rising global division and expressed hope that the two could now use their influence to do good—while also having fun.

A History of Clashes

The reconciliation follows years of tension dating back to the early 2000s. John had previously mocked Madonna’s Die Another Day as the “worst Bond song ever” and criticized her for allegedly lip-syncing during live performances. In 2012, he escalated the feud by calling her a “fairground stripper.” He later admitted to going “too far” with his comments.

Signs of a thaw had emerged in recent years, including Madonna’s decision to include a tribute to John during her 2023 Celebration Tour. Now, it seems the rift has been fully healed—both in private and in public.