After nearly two decades of public jabs and lingering tension, Madonna and Elton John have officially “buried the hatchet,” and the heartwarming reconciliation happened behind the scenes at Saturday Night Live.
The two legendary music icons came together over the weekend when Elton John appeared as the musical guest on SNL, performing alongside Brandi Carlile. Madonna was in the audience, and what happened next was nothing short of emotional.
“We Finally Buried the Hatchet” — Madonna
Madonna took to Instagram to share a backstage photo with John, along with a deeply personal message about their history and the moment they reconnected.
“We finally buried the hatchet!” she wrote. “I went to see Elton John perform on SNL this weekend! Wow.”
In her post, Madonna recalled sneaking out of her house as a teenager to see Elton perform live in Detroit which was a moment that shaped her future in music.
“It was an unforgettable performance that helped me understand the transformative power of music,” she said. “Watching him on stage helped me to understand that it was OK to be different, to stand out, to take the road less traveled by. In fact, it was essential.”
Despite her admiration, Madonna admitted that Elton John’s past public criticism of her as an artist had caused her pain over the years.
“Over the decades it hurt me to know that someone I admired so much shared his dislike of me publicly. I didn’t understand it.”
But she said she felt the need to see him backstage at SNL and confront the lingering tension.
“When I met him, the first thing out of his mouth was, ‘Forgive me,’ and the wall between us fell down. Forgiveness is a powerful tool. Within minutes we were hugging.”
Elton John Responds: “I’m Not Proud of What I Said”
In a heartfelt comment on Madonna’s post, Elton John confirmed that the feud was over and took accountability for his past words.
“Thank you for coming to see me at SNL. And thank you for forgiving me and my big mouth,” he wrote.
He praised Madonna for her influence and impact, both musically and socially.
“I’m not proud of what I said. Particularly when I think about all the groundbreaking work you have done as an artist — paving the way for an entire generation of female artists to succeed and be true to themselves.”
He also acknowledged her early advocacy during the HIV/AIDS crisis, a cause close to both of their hearts.
“You were also one of the very first people to rise up against HIV/AIDS in the ’80s, bringing love and compassion to so many who desperately needed it.”
Elton concluded by noting how vital unity is in today’s world, especially as both artists have been embraced by LGBTQ+ communities.
“By pulling together, I’m hopeful we can make great things happen for those who really need support. And have a lot of fun doing it!”
A Feud That Spanned Nearly 20 Years
Elton John publicly criticized Madonna for allegedly lip-syncing during live performances at the 2004 Q Awards, which marked the beginning of their tense relationship. Since then, the two have made headlines for their scathing remarks and a string of public jabs and criticisms.
Pop Icons Made Peace
The emotional reconciliation didn’t go unnoticed by others at SNL. Brandi Carlile, who shared the stage with Elton during the episode, chimed in with a playful comment on Madonna’s post:
“Whatever happens to this country, the gays won today folks.”
For fans of both legends and for those who admire the power of forgiveness, it was a long-overdue, feel-good moment in pop history.
