Tori Amos and Rita Ora Support Madonna, Speak Out Against Music Industry's Ageism and Sexism

Madonna's infamous lip-lock with hip-hop artist Drake at Coachella was one of many on-stage antics that inadvertently reminded the public that the original Material Girl is an aging artist. However, phenom and fellow aging artist Tori Amos has extended support to Madonna, reminding everyone that Madonna is first and foremost an entertainer.

During a recent interview with The Guardian, Amos spoke about negative reactions Madonna experienced after taking a tumble in February at the Brit Awards. She defended the singer, saying, "Madonna is an entertainer. There are very few people who could've gotten up off that floor. It wasn't because of her that she fell, but it was because of her that the performance carried on. Some of the vilification comes from women as much as men."

According to Amos, Madonna is able to do physical things that many 25 years younger can't. Also, people want to shame Madonna into a role they deemed acceptable for her age. Because of her age, the public "can't embrace Madonna and say, 'Wow, this is an artist who's expressing herself in a certain way.'

"You don't have to agree with Madonna's outfit choices or how she sees her own sexuality, but we can admire that she's out there doing it," said Amos.

She continued discussing ageism in music in the interview, stating Noel Gallagher, Paul Weller and the Chili Peppers aren't far from her in age, yet those men are still producing work that's deemed relevant, and because they're men, they aren't asked to make room for younger artists.

Amos isn't the only artist to defend Madonna. Rita Ora also spoke out in support of Madonna.

"Thank you for fighting all these ageist battles, and paving a way, that just maybe one day, all of us 'Younger' Artists won't have too in the future! @madonna #ifuckinlovethisbitch #thatswhatlegendsdo," according to Ora's Twitter.

Madonna replied, "Thanks Rita! Good to know you appreciate the beating I'm taking so all you ladies don't have to endure this kind of discrimination! #unapolgeticb*****s unite! #rebelheart."