Madonna releases graphic ‘American Life’ music video originally banned 20 years ago
Madonna finally released the original music video for “American Life” — despite scrapping it 20 years ago due to its gruesome content.
The five-minute video started out seemingly normal, with models walking down a runway in army costumes as Madonna sang about life in the spotlight.
However, the models were then joined by victims of war, who they started beating as blood spewed onto the runway.
The audience of snooty-looking fashion-goers laughed as the violence continued — even as bloodied bodies were dragged across the stage without their limbs.
Then, pictures of real victims of war started flashing across the screen before Madonna burst from backstage in a tank ultimately killing the crowd with a grenade.
The jaw-dropping video was intended to be a commentary on the then-ongoing American invasion of Iraq, mixing haute-couture with the brutality of war.
Yet, after facing backlash before the video even aired, Madge decided to release a highly censored version of the “American Life” video instead.
At the time, she explained that the original version “was filmed before the war started” and didn’t think it would be “appropriate to air” — despite already airing abroad.
“Due to the volatile state of the world and out of sensitivity and respect to the armed forces, who I support and pray for, I do not want to risk offending anyone who might misinterpret the meaning of this video,” she said.
For more Page Six you love…
However, it appears the fearless pop star left a couple of controversial moments out of the recent upload — such as a George W. Bush lookalike catching a grenade and lighting his cigarette with it at the end.
The Queen of Pop is set to begin “The Celebration Tour,” which commemorates her four decades in music, this summer.
It’s unclear what crazy costumes and provocative performances she has in store for the 53 shows.
