Madonna Pulls Luther Vandross’ Photo From AIDS Tribute After His Estate Called Her Out: He Was ‘NEVER Diagnosed w/ AIDS…Not Sure Where She Or Her Production Team Received False Medical Information’

Madonna Pulls Luther Vandross’ Photo From AIDS Tribute After His Estate Called Her Out: He Was ‘NEVER Diagnosed w/ AIDS…Not Sure Where She Or Her Production Team Received False Medical Information’

Pop icon Madonna’s well-intentioned AIDS tribute recently became a little problematic.

The singer was called out by the estate of late R&B singer Luther Vandross for incorrectly associating him with the disease.

Madonna

Reportedly, Madonna has been honoring celebrities who died of AIDS while performing her song “Live To Tell” on her Celebration tour. The tribute has featured a photo montage of deceased entertainers and, for the first time, included Luther Vandross this past Saturday (February 24) during her stop in Sacramento, California. The tour and tribute has been going on since October of last year.

Madonna pays tribute to AIDS victims on The Celebration Tour raising awareness for the fight against the disease. #TheCelebrationTour #MadonnaCelebrationTour #MadonnaCelebrationTour pic.twitter.com/G1yHLxdYP3

— Kulture news (@KnewsDigital) October 14, 2023

Once Vandross‘ estate became aware of his addition to the tribute, they reportedly contacted Madonna’s management immediately asking them to remove his image. A rep for his estate subsequently released a statement that read:

“Luther Vandross passed away in 2005 due to complications from a stroke suffered two years earlier.” 

Luther Vandross

They added:

“While we appreciate Madonna’s recognition of those lives lost to AIDS, Luther was NEVER diagnosed with AIDS or the HIV Virus. We’re not sure where she or her production team received false medical information claiming otherwise.”

It’s reported that Madonna’s team obliged the request and removed Vandross‘ image immediately. While it was widely speculated the “So Amazing” singer was gay, he never confirmed it while alive. He was also never diagnosed with the disease. Before his passing, reports state that it was rumored he lost a ton of weight due to AIDS-related complications, though this was also never confirmed by him or anyone from his team.

[VIA]

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