Madonna's spotlight of influential leaders embodying the "rebel heart" spirit she promotes on her new album has caused controversy across the web.
The pop superstar posted photos of Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and Bob Marley with black ribbon crisscrossed on their face in the same fashion as her face on the cover of her new album "Rebel Heart."
Madonna is reposting the fan-altered photos, which also included Jesus Christ, Marilyn Monroe and John Lennon. She wrote on her Instagram that the photos show her fans "are celebrating and in admiration of these great freedom fighters."
Others disagree and have taken offense to Madonna using the bondage images of King and Mandela as a cheap way to promote her music.
Madonna supports the system, that Martin Luther King stood against. To desecrate his image, is to disrespect everything he fought for.
— Black Mask (@whoisblackmask) January 3, 2015
There is nothing pro-black about Madonna. She uses black people as props for her own gain or to cause controversy. — Rah (@rhazybaby) January 2, 2015
There comes a time where you just have to unfollow Madonna on Instagram.
— sam (@smstpls) January 3, 2015
Madonna defined what kind of rebel heart King, Mandela and Marley represented in separate Instagram posts. She called Jesus Christ "one of the first #rebelhearts."
This ❤️#rebelheart had a dream! Een foto die is geplaatst door Madonna (@madonna) op Jan 1, 2015 at 8:05 PST
This❤️#rebelheart fought for freedom!
Uma foto publicada por Madonna (@madonna) em Jan 1, 2015 at 8:07 PST
This❤️#rebelheart sang about ONE LOVE! A photo posted by Madonna (@madonna) on Jan 1, 2015 at 8:08am PST
"Rebel Heart" is Madonna's 13th studio album and is expected to drop in March. The "Material Girl" singer released six songs early on Dec. 20 due to demo tracks leaking online.
