Madonna admits to plastic surgery after unrecognisable appearance at Grammys

Madonna has apparently admitted to getting plastic surgery in a social media post two weeks after fans expressed concern about her appearance at the Grammys.

The singer, 64, posted a picture on her Twitter feed making reference to the fact many fans thought she “didn’t look like herself” at the Grammys earlier this month.

She wrote to her 2.8 million followers: “Look how cute I am now that swelling from surgery has gone down. Lol.”

She didn’t reveal any further details on the nature of the procedure or when she had gone under the knife.

The seven-time Grammy-winner introduced Sam Smith and Kim Petras’s performance of Unholy at the star-studded Grammys on February 6 – but it was the singer’s face that gained the attention of fans.

One viewer wrote: “[I turned on the television and] it was Madonna and I had to get up and stand closer to make sure it was her.”

Another wrote on Twitter: “What has happened to #madonna?? Is it just me or does she look like someone who looks like Madonna?”

According to Madonna it was the use of a long-lens camera that distorted her face, making her look puffier than she was in reality.

Madonna previously addressed concerns, suggesting some remarks were “ageist and misogynistic”.

In a lengthy Instagram caption, Madonna said it had been an “honour” introduce Smith and Petras as the latter became the first openly trans person to win a Grammy. The pair won the Best Pop Duo/Group Collaboration category.

She wrote: “It was an honor for me to Introduce Kim Petras and Sam Smith at the Grammys. I wanted to give the last award [of the night] which was Album of the year, but I thought it was more important that I present the first trans-woman performing at the Grammys – a History making moment!! And on top of that she won a Grammy!!

“Instead of focusing on what I said in my speech which was about giving thanks for the fearlessness of artists like Sam and Kim – Many people chose to only talk about close-up photos of me taken with a long-lens camera by a press photographer that would distort anyone’s face!!

Material Girl: Madonna - In pictures

“Once again I am caught in the glare of ageism and misogyny that permeates the world we live in. A world that refuses to celebrate women past the age of 45. And feels the need to punish her if she continues to be strong willed, hard-working and adventurous.

“I have never apologized for any of the creative choices I have made nor the way that I look or dress and I’m not going to start. I have been degraded by the media since the beginning of my career but I understand that this is all a test and I am happy to do the trailblazing so that all the women behind me can have an easier time in the years to come.

“In the words of Beyonce, ‘You won’t break my soul’.”