Madonna was campaigning for female empowerment across the globe at the 2013 Sound Of Change concert, but fans seemed more fixated on her “swollen” face as she took to the stage at London’s Twickenham Stadium on Saturday night.
Within moments of Madonna appearing in front of a crowd of thousands, audience members took to Twitter to slam her somewhat puffy-faced look as she presented a segment of the charity gig.
Madonna’s look was all the more obvious thanks to her conservative ensemble, which saw her cover up from head to toe in a black high-necked sweater and matching trousers.
Wearing her honey blonde locks pulled back from her face, Madonna’s facial features were clear to see.
One fan wrote on Twitter: “Madonna, please stop messing with your face. It used to be a lovely face and now it’s looking weird.”
While one viewer stated: “Madonna looks absolutely ridiculous these days. Why on earth would anyone want to do THAT to their face?”
And although fans seemed thrilled to see Madonna, 54, support such a worthwhile cause, some admitted they were a little distracted by her puffy-faced appearance.
One wrote: “Brava Madonna at #Chime for speaking out (I’m trying not to be distracted by how much work she’s had on her face).”
While one viewer implored: “Madonna leave your face alone.”
But it didn’t seem as though the star cared too much about her appearance as she received a rapturous applause from the packed-out stadium as she called on her fans to start a “revolution of love”.
Madonna said: “I keep telling people I want to start a revolution, but my revolution doesn’t involve bloodshed and violence. My revolution starts with education. My revolution is about achieving a higher level of consciousness, but this cannot start without education.
“We cannot change this world, nor begin to treat each other with human dignity, without an education. Let tonight be the beginning of this revolution because education is not a luxury, it is a basic human right.
“I invite you all to join my revolution of love. Join me tonight. The revolution of love starts here. I believe my girls out there deserve the best education. They deserve the best in health. And I believe in justice for my girls everywhere.”
Madonna has previously insisted she hasn’t undergone any cosmetic procedures, but would not rule it out in the future.
The star said: “I am what I am. And I don’t like the idea of someone putting you to sleep then taking knives to you.
“I am not going to hold a press conference if I have plastic surgery. But I’ve said many times, I think about it and I sure don’t rule it out.”
The Sound Of Change concert was part of Gucci’s new global campaign for girls’ and women’s empowerment, and is being broadcast across six continents to over 150 countries, with more than one billion people expected to see it in total.
The charity has put on the concert in conjunction with the Chime For Change initiative, which aims to raise awareness of education, health and justice for women everywhere.
Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez and Rita Ora were among the stars taking to the stage to perform for at the star-studded event, while the likes of Blake Lively, Jessica Chastain and Ryan Reynolds presented segments of the gig.
[youtube 5QNq0IEPICQ]
