It’s not every day you witness two music legends squashing a decades-long feud — but that’s exactly what happened when Madonna and Elton John finally made peace, and fans couldn’t believe their eyes.
After years of drama, public digs, and awkward awards show moments, the two icons were spotted smiling together backstage at “Saturday Night Live,” leaving followers completely stunned.
Madonna herself shared the surprising reconciliation on Instagram, posting a cheerful photo with Elton and writing, “We Finally Buried the Hatchet!!!” She revealed that she went to see him perform on SNL, and the whole moment was more emotional than anyone could’ve predicted.
A High School Memory That Changed Everything
Madonna opened up about how impactful Elton had been on her life from the very beginning.
She recalled sneaking out during high school to see him perform live in Detroit — an experience that shaped her understanding of music’s transformative power.
She said seeing Elton on stage helped her realize that being different wasn’t just okay — it was something to embrace.
For a young Madonna feeling like an outsider, that moment became a turning point in her journey as an artist.
Facing the Past and Forgiving
Despite Elton’s past harsh words — including once calling Madonna a “fairground stripper” and criticizing her live performances — she said she felt compelled to go backstage at SNL and confront him face-to-face.
What happened next? A complete surprise. According to Madonna, Elton’s first words were, “Forgive me,” and just like that, all the years of tension melted away.
They hugged, shared a genuine connection, and Elton even told her he had written a song for her and wanted to collaborate. It was an unexpected but heartfelt moment of healing.
A Rocky Road Through the Years
Their feud goes way back, starting in 2002 when Elton slammed Madonna’s Bond theme “Die Another Day” as the “worst Bond tune ever.”
Things escalated at the 2004 Q Awards when he mocked her for lip-syncing and questioned her credibility as a live act.
Madonna’s team clapped back, insisting she never lip-syncs and doesn’t waste time trashing other artists.
Over the years, things only got messier. Elton’s then-fiancé, now husband, David Furnish, jumped into the mix after Madonna beat Elton for a Golden Globe in 2012, calling her win “embarrassing” and undeserved.
And after she reportedly turned down performing at Elton’s bachelor party, he allegedly insulted her again — prompting yet another icy response from her camp.
The Public Feud That Wouldn’t Quit
The jabs didn’t stop there. In 2012, after Madonna threw shade at Lady Gaga, Elton (whose son has Gaga as godmother) came to her defense with more brutal comments, saying Madonna’s career was “over” and calling her “a nightmare.”
He even went as far as to say she looked like a “fairground stripper.”
Later, Elton admitted he regretted those words. He claimed the infamous rant was caught on camera during a private moment and aired without his permission — damaging a long-time friendship with the interviewer in the process.
Apologies and Moving On
By 2016, Elton shared during a TV interview that he had apologized to Madonna in a restaurant in the south of France.
He sent her a note asking if he could buy her dinner and told her how sorry he was.
She graciously accepted, and they ended up having a heart-to-heart — finally putting their differences aside.
Even then, Elton joked, “I can’t say it won’t happen again… but not with Madonna!”
Full Circle Moments
Despite all the ups and downs, Madonna’s recent Instagram post makes it clear — they’ve both moved on.
In fact, it sounds like something beautiful might even come out of this renewed friendship, with a possible music collaboration now on the horizon.
As for Elton, he hasn’t posted the backstage pic yet. But whether he shares it or not, it’s safe to say that a truly iconic music feud has finally come to an end.
Sometimes, forgiveness really is the most powerful song of all.
