The History of Madonna and Elton John’s Decades-Long Feud — Before They ‘Buried the Hatchet’ in 2025

1997: Madonna and Elton John Pose with Donatella Versace

At a Metropolitan Museum of Art tribute exhibit to Gianni Versace, Madonna and John snapped a photo with his daughter and Versace’s new creative director Donatella.

1998: Madonna and Elton John Duet at Carnegie Hall

The two musicians, then at the top of their game, closed out the Rain Forest Concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City with a duet.

2002: Elton John Says ‘Die Another Day’ Is the ‘Worst Bond Tune’

John told U.K. outlet Sky News in November 2002 that he thought her song for the new 007 film, “Die Another Day,” was “the worst Bond tune ever.”

“It hasn’t got a tune,” the “Rocket Man” singer explained. “They should have gone for somebody like Lulu and Shirley Bassey, or maybe I’m in that league?”

He added, “I don’t think it’s the best Madonna record, and I’m a big fan.”

2004: Elton John Disses Madonna at the Q Awards

While accepting the classic songwriter award at the 2004 Q Awards, John used part of his speech to throw shade at Madonna, who was nominated for best live act.

“Madonna, best live act? F— off. Since when has lip-syncing been live?” he said onstage. “Anyone who lip syncs in public on stage when you pay 75 pounds to see them should be shot. Thank you very much.”

2012: Madonna Wins the Golden Globe over Elton John

At the 2012 Golden Globes, the two were in contention for best original song — Madonna for “Masterpiece” and John with “Hello Hello,” which he wrote with Lady Gaga. On the red carpet with Carson Daly, John dismissed Madonna’s chances of winning the trophy.

She did take home top honors in the end, though, and brushed off John’s comments, saying “[Elton’s] been known to get mad at me, so I don’t know. He’s brilliant, and I adore him, so he’ll win another award. I don’t feel bad.”

Later that year, John declared Madonna’s career “over” in an interview on Australian TV, and accused her of mean girl behavior towards his friend (and godmother of his children) Lady Gaga.

“She’s such a nightmare … and she looks like a f—— fairground stripper. She’s been so horrible to Gaga,” he said.

2019: Elton John Revisits Their Feud in Memoir ‘Me’

In his 2019 memoir Me, John reflected on his feud with Madonna. He wrote that their conflict started after “she ran Gaga down on an American chat show,” referring to a 2012 interview where Madonna called Gaga’s hit “Born This Way” a rip off of her own song “Express Yourself.”

“I couldn’t see why she was so ungracious and nasty about it, rather than taking it as a compliment … particularly when she claims to be a champion for women,” John wrote. “I think it’s just wrong — an established artist shouldn’t kick down a younger artist right at the start of their career.”

He also addressed his negative comments about the “Like a Virgin” singer in 2012, alleging he didn’t realize the footage would make it to broadcast.

“Still, I shouldn’t have said it,” he admitted. “I apologized.”

2023: Elton John Praises Madonna’s AIDS Tribute

Tensions seemed to ease by 2023, when John praised Madonna on Instagram after her tour performance of the song “Live to Tell,” honoring the 40.4 million people who have died from AIDS.

“Thank you, Madonna, for your advocacy and compassion, and for raising important awareness of the ongoing mission to end AIDS,” John wrote in a joint post with his foundation and husband David Furnish.

2025: Madonna and Elton John Make Amends

Following John’s Saturday Night Live appearance as the musical guest, Madonna posted the first photo of the two in nearly three decades on Instagram, announcing, “We Finally Buried the Hatchet!!!”

“I went to see @eltonjohn perform on SNL this weekend!! WOW,” she began. “I remembered when I was in high school- I snuck out of the house one night to see Elton perform live in Detroit! It was an unforgettable performance that helped me understand the transformative power of music.

Later in the caption, she spoke about feeling “hurt” that “someone I admired so much shared his dislike of me publicly as an artist.”

When she heard John was performing on SNL, she decided to “go backstage and confront him.”

“When I met him, the first thing out of his mouth was, ‘Forgive Me’ and the wall between us fell down,” Madonna wrote. “Forgiveness is a powerful tool. Within minutes. We were hugging.”

Now that the pop icons have worked it out, a legendary collaboration could be on the way, with Madonna revealing John had written a song for her and wanted to work together.