Billboard Music Awards Issues Statement In Defense Of Madonna’s Prince Tribute

The Billboard Music Awards are less than a day away (May 22), and one of their special performances is poised to be the talk of the town following its conclusion.

In an earlier announcement, the showcase shared that Madonna will perform a special tribute to Prince at tomorrow night’s airing. But the program’s selection didn’t sit well with a few people who felt that a black artist should hold the honor of tributing the late musical icon.

In a statement published on the Associated Press, the show’s executive producer, Mark Bracco, supported their choice.

“Listen, I think everybody is entitled to their opinion and everyone can have their own opinion, but I will say that we are honored and could not be more excited for Madonna to be on the show and to pay tribute to someone that was her friend and her peer and her colleague,” he said. “I think it’s going to be fantastic.”

Bracco also stated that Madonna’s performance will preserve the beauty and wonder of Prince’s presence in the musical sphere.

“It’s going to be very, very intimate and very respectful, and I think it’s something that is really going to pay tribute to Prince as the incredible, groundbreaking artist that he was and the influence that he had on music,” he said.

The Billboard Music Awards will premiere on Sunday (May 22) at 8 p.m. on ABC.