Madonna thanked Pepsi for airing her cancelled 1989 TV ad during the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) on Tuesday (September 12) night.

Showing the iconic performer dancing on a city street to her then-new single, Like A Prayer, the 30-second commercial was cancelled before its widespread release. 

Taking to social media, Madonna reacted to the clip finally being shown, writing: “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. So began my illustrious career as an artist refusing to compromise my artistic integrity.”

Thanking Pepsi for “realising” that the advert deserves to be seen, she added: “Thank you @pepsi for finally realising the genius of our collaboration. Artists are here to disturb the peace.”

Much of the backlash to the ad centred on the music video for Like A Prayer, which was condemned by religious groups, including the Vatican, and labelled as blasphemous. 

Although the ad was not controversial, its association with the video led to it being shelved, despite being part of a $5 million (£4 million) deal with Madonna – for which she was still paid. 

It comes ahead of the launch of Madonna’s ‘Celebration Tour’, which was due to kick off on July 15 in Vancouver, but was pushed back after the superstar hospitalised with a bacterial infection. 

Now, the shows will begin at The O2, London in October, and Madonna has confirmed the new Stateside dates to take place following the UK and European leg. 

Tickets for the previously scheduled shows will be honoured on the new dates, except Los Angeles and one date in New York, where the venue has been changed.

Fans holding tickets for the cancelled Madison Square Garden concert in New York on August 27 will have an exclusive opportunity to purchase tickets to the newly added Barclays Center show on December 16, 2023. 

Meanwhile, LA fans with tickets to the crypto.com Arena on September 27, 28, 30 and October 1, and at Kia Forum on January 7 and 8, 2024, will also have an advance opportunity to purchase tickets to the new Kia Forum dates.

Tickets for the original affected shows in both cities will be automatically refunded by August 28 and all affected ticket holders will be sent a dedicated link and unique code based on the quality of their previous seat locations via Ticketmaster. Advance sales will begin on August 29 and run through August 31, with remaining New York tickets going on sale to the general public from 10 am ET on September 1.

If fans are unable to purchase tickets to the corresponding LA shows, a second presale will open on September 1 through September 4 and remaining tickets will go on general sale at 10am PT on September 5.

Due to scheduling conflicts, shows in Tulsa (July 27), Nashville (December 22), San Francisco (January 15), Las Vegas (January 18) and Phoenix (January 20) have been cancelled. Refunds will be issued at the original point of purchase.