Madonna’s “Celebrations” tour has been a heartfelt tribute to those who lost their lives to AIDS, featuring a photo montage during her performance of “Live to Tell.” However, a recent controversy arose when Luther Vandross’s image was included in the AIDs tribute portion of the tribute.
Vandross, known for his soulful voice and timeless music, passed away in 2005 due to complications from a stroke, not AIDS as some may have mistakenly believed. His estate was quick to clarify this fact and request the removal of his photo from Madonna’s tribute.
In a statement to Page Six, a representative for Vandross’s estate expressed appreciation for Madonna’s recognition of lives lost to AIDS but emphasized that Luther Vandross was never diagnosed with AIDS or the HIV virus. The estate was puzzled as to where Madonna and her team had received false medical information and promptly reached out to have Vandross’s image removed from the tribute. “Luther Vandross passed away in 2005 due to complications from a stroke suffered two years earlier,” a rep for his estate told the outlet. “While we appreciate Madonna’s recognition of those lives lost to AIDS, Luther was NEVER diagnosed with AIDS or the HIV Virus,” they said.
His reps went on to say, “We’re not sure where she or her production team received false medical information claiming otherwise. We’re currently in contact with her management to remove Luther Vandross from the tribute,” the spokesperson for the estate concluded.
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Madonna’s team, understanding the error, swiftly responded by removing Luther Vandross’s photo from the tribute.
Luther Vandross has had his own experience with false claims regarding his health, such as a 1985 tabloid report alleging his weight loss was due to AIDS. As Madonna continues her tour, paying homage to those affected by the disease, we’re sure her team will be sure future tributes will be factually accurate out of respect for the individuals being honored.
More On Madonna’s Celebration Tour:
The first leg of Madonna’s Celebration tour was postponed last year when the pop icon developed a “serious bacterial infection.” As a result, she had to halt all shows until she recovered. Eventually, she later revealed that she was admitted to the hospital, where she stayed several days in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Following her break, she resumed her global tour in October in Europe. During her stop in Brooklyn, New York in December, Madonna took a moment to thank “some very important people” who were by her side as she was receiving proper care in the hospital.
Throughout her Celebration tour, Madonna has given her fans a look back at her amazing career through the decades while celebrating other great stars alike.
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