Madonna Defends Prince Tribute By Posting Picture In Lift Carrying ‘Drugs Bag’

Madonna has lashed out at critics who slammed her tribute to the late Prince at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday – by posting a picture of herself in an elevator carrying a bag emblazoned with the word ‘Dealer’.

She struck the pose despite the Purple Rain singer being found dead in a lift, amid rumours he was hooked on drugs.

Madonna, below, performed renditions of the Prince’s Nothing Compares 2 U and Purple Rain at the Billboard awards in the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

After her versions were lashed by fans, she took to her Instagram account last night to post the below snap.

The 57-year-old accompanied the image, below, with the caption: ‘Anyone who wants to do a tribute to Prince is welcome to. Whatever your age, gender or skin colour. If you loved him and he inspired you then show it!!!! I love Prince 4 ever.’

Social media users weren’t impressed, with one writing: ‘F**k you’ in the comments section next to picture.

Others hit out at her drugs and death references.

Madonna, who wore a purple sequinned suit and held a cane with cross symbols for her Billboard tribute, came under fire after her renditions failed to strike a chord with spectators.

However, the Music singer – joined on stage by Stevie Wonder as they duetted on Purple Rain – was completely unaware at the time the audience were less than impressed with her touching tribute to Prince, pictured below in his prime.

She said after her performance: “Thank you Prince Rogers Nelson for all you have given us.”

Prince died on April 21 at his Paisley Park estate in Minnesota.

His cause of death is still under investigation but his memory has been dogged by talk he was addicted to painkillers before his death.

Pictures Getty Images