Stop Asking Madonna Why She Doesn’t Have a Hollywood Star
Madonna is one of the biggest stars in the world, with chart-topping singles, hugely popular albums, and even several hit movies to her credit. She has surpassed what many people think of as a star and become a cultural icon. While Madonna has been honored in many different ways, there is one particular accolade that she has never received – and not because she’s been snubbed, either. As it turns out, Madonna is just as vocal about awards she doesn’t care about as she is about the causes and creative pursuits that she’s interested in.
Madonna’s greatest accomplishments
Born in 1958, Madonna rose to fame in the early ’80s. She received attention from critics and fans for her original, sometimes controversial approach to both music and fashion. Her songs “Like a Virgin,” “Papa Don’t Preach,” “Crazy for You,” and “Like a Prayer” have become industry standards, and remain popular decades after they were released. She has received a lot of criticism over the years for her outgoing, expressive personality and her often-skimpy stage outfits, but Madonna hasn’t allowed the negativity to dissuade her or change the way she approaches her art. Madonna has gone on to inspire countless artists, including top performers like Lady Gaga.
Madonna has also crossed over into the world of film, appearing in movies like A League of Their Own, Evita, Desperately Seeking Susan, and Dick Tracy. She earned a Golden Globe Award for her work in Evita, singing songs that had originally become popular in the evergreen stage play. Although she has been a star for decades now, Madonna has never stopped working, consistently producing and releasing new music. Her most recent album, Madame X, was released in June 2019 and was an immediate hit – proving that fans everywhere still love Madonna.
How do people get a star on the Walk of Fame?
In the entertainment industry, many people receive recognition through winning gold statues, such as Best Actor Academy Awards or Golden Globe Awards. Earning a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is another major accomplishment and an honor that is granted to only a select few individuals. While it’s an honor to be nominated for a star on the Walk of Fame, it’s a very complicated process that causes many to decide against pursuing it. For one, once nominated, the celebrity must sign an agreement to attend the future public ceremony and then go through an extensive application process.
Not only does it cost $40,000 to get the star (a fee which includes construction and upkeep) but it can be a real pain to set the actual ceremony date. For these reasons, many celebrities decide against accepting their nomination for a star on the Walk of Fame.
Why isn’t Madonna on the Walk of Fame?
Some major celebrities have accepted nominations for their star, but have never set ceremony dates – including movie stars like Denzel Washington and George Clooney. There are other celebrities who don’t even care to have a star. Madonna is one such celebrity. In 1990, Madonna was at the peak of her fame when she was nominated for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Selected by a panel of critics and peers, Madonna decided to turn down the nomination.
Many fans have speculated as to why Madonna turned down the star, guessing that she didn’t want to pay the hefty construction fee. Most simply agreed that Madonna felt that the honor was a bit too “cheesy” and didn’t care enough about the star to pursue the nomination. It hasn’t affected her career, that’s for sure – nearly twenty years later, Madonna is better than ever and just as popular.
