After years of trading public jabs, Madonna and Elton John have quietly made peace. What began as a bitter rivalry has now turned into a moment of mutual respect and possibly, collaboration.
Their fallout dates back over two decades, sparked by Elton John’s harsh criticism of Madonna’s performances. From mocking her Bond theme in 2002 to accusing her of lip-syncing and calling her names at public events, Elton didn’t hold back. At the 2004 Q Awards, he famously questioned her place in the Best Live Act category, saying anyone who lip-syncs “should be shot.”
Madonna stayed mostly quiet all these years, only occasionally responding through representatives or brief interviews. But the wounds ran deep. In a recent Instagram post, Madonna revealed that as a teenager, Elton’s music had a major influence on her. She remembered sneaking out to see him live and feeling seen for the first time, his boldness on stage helped her embrace her own difference.
That’s what made his later public takedowns so painful. “It hurt to know someone I admired didn’t respect me,” she wrote.
Last weekend, things shifted. Madonna attended Elton’s performance on Saturday Night Live and made a choice to talk to him. Backstage, she approached him directly. “The first thing he said was, ‘forgive me’,” she wrote. That moment broke the ice. The two hugged, shared some personal reflections, and talked about the past.
Elton John flashes a peace sign as he ends decades-long drama with MadonnaGetty Images
More than just a symbolic truce, their reunion hinted at new beginnings. Elton told Madonna he had written a song for her and proposed they work on something together. Madonna seemed open to it.
Elton later acknowledged the meeting publicly, thanking Madonna for giving him another chance. “I’m not proud of what I said,” he admitted, noting her impact on music and her advocacy during the HIV/AIDS crisis. “You paved the way for so many.”
Madonna commands the stage with signature flair — proving she’s still the Queen of Pop after all these yearsGetty Images
Both stars seem eager to move forward not just as artists, but as people shaped by decades in the spotlight. Their message was clear: the world is too divided right now, and reconciliation, even in the music world, matters.
Whether or not a duet follows, it’s clear the long-standing feud is finally over.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.