September 13th 2023.
After 34 years, the collaboration between Pepsi and Madonna has finally been revived. The Queen of Pop celebrated the news, expressing her gratitude to Pepsi for finally allowing the commercial to be aired again.
The commercial was originally aired in 1989, in celebration of the release of Madonna's song 'Like A Prayer'. However, the day after it debuted, the official music video was released which sparked outrage from Christian organisations, including the Vatican. As a result, Pepsi pulled the ad from circulation.
On Tuesday night, the advertisement was aired again, in commemoration of Pepsi's 125th anniversary. Taking to Instagram, Madonna shared her thoughts on the once controversial clip being revived. She wrote, ‘34 years ago I made a commercial with Pepsi to celebrate the release of my song Like a Prayer. The commercial was immediately cancelled when I refused to change any scenes in the video where I was kissing a black saint or burning crosses.'
She continued, 'So began my illustrious career as an artist refusing to compromise my artistic integrity. Thank you Pepsi for finally realising the genius of our collaboration. Artists are here to disturb the peace.’
The initial ad featured Madonna revisiting her childhood and enjoying a can of Pepsi while watching her younger self celebrate her birthday. However, the music video that followed showed her dancing in lingerie alongside imagery that many Christians found blasphemous. Pope John Paul II even condemned Madonna for using religious symbols alongside sexual visuals.
The re-release of the ad has come at a great time for Madonna, who is currently preparing for her 40th anniversary Celebration tour. After being found unresponsive earlier this year, she has since restarted rehearsals and is reportedly taking things at a slower pace.
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