Singer Madonna raised eyebrows during an appearance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon last week—including the host's own—when their discussion took an abrupt, booty-baring shift that was right on brand for the pop icon.
While chatting about Madonna's artistic inspiration, she suddenly popped out of her chair and draped herself over Fallon's desk, who played along, acting flustered by the ever-provocative singer's spectacle.
Then for added effect, she flipped up her dress to flash her butt on her way back to her chair.
See the moment below.
Madonna was visiting Fallon's show to talk about her newly released tour documentary, Madame X, which chronicles the 63-year-old singer's 2019-2020 tour of the same name.
It was a most unlikely discussion that led to the bum-flashing incident on Fallon's desk: the writer and Civil Rights activist James Baldwin, whom Madonna cited as one of the greatest influences on her often political work.
"[H]e was a great source of inspiration for the show. And one of the things I quote over and over again in the show is that 'artists are here to disturb the peace.'"
The singer then joked:
"And so I hope that I have disturbed not only your peace this afternoon, but... people's peace while they watch the show--but I mean that in the best way."
Fallon then referenced late Democratic Congressman John Lewis to sum up the singer's boundary-breaking career and long history of activism.
"Yeah, you get in good trouble."
Seemingly to prove his point in the most chaotic way possible, Madonna nodded and launched herself across his desk as Fallon jumped up and tried to cover her with his jacket. She then exclaimed, "Nobody's gonna see anything!" before flashing her butt at the audience on the way back to her chair.
Madonna has made a career out of provocative stunts, especially those of a sexual nature, so the moment wasn't exactly out of character. But as ever with Madonna, the appearance proved divisive.
On Twitter, some applauded her.
I feel like when God made Madonna a good trouble kinda girl She did it for my happiness ALONE. \u2014 Madonna on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, October 7, 2021pic.twitter.com/Cz3iOV5fy9— Remington Graves (@Remington Graves) 1633712781
QUEEN MADONNA CAME HERE TO DISTURB THE PEACE— Harper Myer (@Harper Myer) 1633670648
But others were less than impressed, with most basing their criticisms on the singer's age.
Someone please come get Madonna? Instead of aging gracefully she has decided to go crazy.pic.twitter.com/INAzmRHHzI— itsagundam (@itsagundam) 1633744441
Unpopular Opinion:\n\nI know you say that one can be sexy at any age but, to me, 63yo Madonna humping Fallon's desk was just embarrassing. Sorry.pic.twitter.com/rhIKW79KZ1— Rick or Treat (@Rick or Treat) 1633781018
Madonna is on Jimmy Fallon. She's had so much work done she looks like a wax figure. Be thankful for the wrinkles and the privilege to grow older.— Christine \ud83d\udc83\ud83c\udffd\u26c8 (@Christine \ud83d\udc83\ud83c\udffd\u26c8) 1633665385
Others cited the response to Madonna's appearance as proving the singer's oft-made point about ageism, particularly where women are concerned.
Late to this but I watched Madonna\u2019s Jimmy Fallon interview and thought she was fabulous as ever. Her whole career she\u2019s had to put up with sexism and now ageism. Her \u201c15 minutes of fame\u201d are not over as some silly commenter said. She\u2019s Madonna. Learn your history.— Nancy Jo Sales (@Nancy Jo Sales) 1633913505
Body positivity & inclusivity has come a long way but it\u2019s clear we have so much further to go. I have seen so much #ageism and body-shaming about Madonna. I hope we can evolve. #RespectMadonna— Prom Queen (@Prom Queen) 1633890980
Madonna is trending and I\u2019d just like to say ageism & and misogyny ain\u2019t cute.— opie odell (@opie odell) 1633762868
Madonna had surgery, has triumphantly returned to performing. \n\nYou celebrated Mick Jagger snaking around on stage with Taylor.\n\nIf Madonna got pregnant at 72 (or 52) by her 25 year old bf, you'd say it was "cringe-level."\n\nYour sexist bullsh** is showing.\n\n#JimmyFallon https://twitter.com/stereogum/status/1446476883701518340\u00a0\u2026pic.twitter.com/OxAof8iLas— Jessica Quiroli \u26be\ud83c\udfac\u270d\ufe0f\ud83c\udf99\ufe0f (@Jessica Quiroli \u26be\ud83c\udfac\u270d\ufe0f\ud83c\udf99\ufe0f) 1633721056
Madonna has faced criticism for being "too old" for her often provocative work since the early 1990s, when she was in her early 30s.
Despite this, she remains one of these best-selling female recording artists of all time and the fifth-highest selling artist over all, behind The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson and Elton John.
