Madonna Celebrates Milestone

Madonna is celebrating 30 years of her iconic “Like A Prayer” music video, taking to Instagram to pen a dedication to the video.

“30 years ago today I released Like a Prayer and made a video that caused so much controversy because I kissed a black saint and danced in front of burning crosses! I also made a commercial with PEPSI that was banned because my video was seen as inappropriate. ,” Madonna wrote.

She added, “Happy Birthday to Me and Controversy! #likeaprayer meant to post this yesterday but was blocked! what a shocker!”

In January 1989, Madonna inked a $5 million endorsement deal with Pepsi. On March 2, 1989, Madonna debuted “Like a Prayer,” the title track of her fourth studio album, in a two-minute television commercial called “Make a Wish.”

The flashback-fueled spot saw her watching a black-and-white home movie of her 8th birthday, and interspersed footage of the young girl with shots of adult Madonna dancing in the street and in a church with a gospel choir.

The ad aired during NBC’s The Cosby Show, and seemed unlikely to offend anyone. But when Madonna premiered the actual music video for “Like a Prayer” on MTV the following day, viewers were singing a different tune.

The video’s imagery, which included burning crosses, stigmata and the seduction of a saint who was black, drew the ire of religious groups and customers, who assumed it was part of the soft-drink brand’s ad.

The commercial was canceled, but “Like a Prayer” spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart that spring – and Madonna reportedly kept the $5 million fee.