麦当娜发表即兴演说

“Fifty years, people,” Madonna ad-libbed* on Sunday night in Manhattan to a crowd of 7,000 rapturous* fans.

“Fifty years of revolution,” Madonna said in a short sermon* that she delivered between songs. “Fifty years of freedom and fighting. Fifty years of putting up with discrimination, hatred* and ignorance. Fifty years of not bowing down to fear. I’m so proud and honored to share this historical event with you.”

Among the hands waving in the air were such notable attendees as Donatella Versace, shimmying from a VIP booth, CNN president Jeff Zucker, comedian Billy Eichner and “Pose” actor Billy Porter, decked out in a peach-colored dressed and rainbow sneakers*.

Although Madonna’s set was short, as is tradition for the annual circuit* party on the pier, it did reveal some glimpses of what her upcoming “Madame X” tour (which starts in September) could entail*. The night kicked off with a pre-recorded video that explained how Madonna’s alter ego, “Madame X” (the title of her most recent album, released on June 14), was a secret agent with a series of identities such as “a dancer, a professor, a head of state, a housekeeper, an equestrian*, a prisoner, a student, a mother, a teacher, a nun, a singer, a saint…”

Madonna then emerged onstage flanked by at least a dozen dancers, all dressed like her, in spy jackets. But only the real Madonna wore a sparkling patch over her left eye, as she launched into a performance of one of her greatest hits, “Vogue.” She followed the classic with a guitar-led rendition* of “American Life,” before segueing* into a partial costume change, kicking off her stiletto* heels for a pair of combat boots that were presented to her by a man she called “leather daddy.”

(SD-Agencies)