Madonna has caused a stir after using a racial slur on her Instagram page.
The singer uploaded a snap of her son Rocco fighting in the boxing ring on Instagram on Friday alongside the caption: “No one messes with Dirty Soap! Mama said knock you out! #disn—–.”
After she was bombarded with complaints about use of the N-word from fans, Madonna deleted the image, only to re-upload it with another comment: “Ok let me start this again. #get off of my d— haters!”
Madonna later apologized in a statement, saying: “I am sorry if I offended anyone with my use of the N-word on Instagram. It was not meant as a racial slur…I am not a racist.”
The singer added: “There’s no way to defend the use of the word. It was all about intention…It was used as a term of endearment toward my son who is white. I appreciate that it’s a provocative word and I apologize if it gave people the wrong impression. Forgive me.”
Rocco is Madonna’s only child with ex-husband Guy Ritchie. She is also mum to teenage daughter Lourdes, from a previous relationship, and adopted kids Mercy and David.