Madonna denies reports claiming she performed drunk in Australia

Pop star Madonna slammed tabloid reports Tuesday that claimed she had been drunk onstage during a Saturday concert in Melbourne, Australia.

Responding to stories that ultimately traced to the British tabloid The Sun, the singer reposted a Texas fan’s Instagram message defending her. “Thanks for supporting me,” wrote Madonna, 57. “Too bad people don’t know the art of acting and playing a character. I could never do any of my shows high or drunk.”

The singer — who is on the final leg of her “Rebel Heart” tour, ending Sunday night in Sydney — added, “And yes underlying all of this is sexism and mysongony [sic] which proves that not only do we [women] not get equal pay but we are still treated like heretics if we step out of line and think outside the box! Sexism is alive and kicking but i am #livingforlove.”

She quickly followed with an image of her two youngest children, 10-year-old David and 8-year-old Mercy, writing, “This is my drug. Love and Happiness! #rebelhearts till we die!!!”

Australian music critics writing of her Saturday show at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, in outlets including The Sydney Morning Herald and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, made no mention of any impairment and gave the concert glowing reviews.

Other outlets noted that the tabloid story and reports based on it used out-of-context quotes from stage banter. One Australian newspaper denounced the stories, pointing out, “In the throes of a ‘boozy meltdown’ on stage, Madonna has somehow managed to perform for six hours over four days in Melbourne.”