Madonna Teases New Song At Surprise Met Gala Performance

Madonnahas never been afraid to break taboos at the Met Gala over the years ― donningbunny ears,chugging roséfrom a canteen and evenflashing her derrière. But she found yet another way to make a splash at Monday’s event, reminding fans and A-list attendees why she’s still the Queen of Pop by giving them a stunning three-song performance.

The theme of this year’s gala was “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” ― which, frankly, seems tailor-made for Madonna, who hasbuilt hercareeron blurring the lines between religion and sexuality. True to form, the star descended the staircase in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Great Hall in a monk’s cloak singing her 1989 smash “Like a Prayer” with Gregorian chants in place of the song’s usual gospel choir.

She later removed the cloak to reveal a bustier and sheer skirt, both in pure white, for a dance break before segueing into Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”

Vogue captured snippets of the performance for posterity on Instagram.

Meanwhile, fan siteMadonna Nationshared additional footage.

Madonna’s set also included a sparse, and as-yet-unreleased,new tune.

“It’s a beautiful plan, but I’m not concerned. It’s a beautiful game, that I never learned,” sheappeared to singin the song,believed to befrom a forthcoming album. “You have taught me to shut my mouth, so I don’t get burned. Keep your beautiful lies, ’cause I’m not concerned.”

Earlier in the evening, the Material Girl walked the red carpetin a black, floor-lengthJean-Paul Gaultiergown. It was a fitting choice, as Gaultier has created some of Madonna’s best-known looks, including herlegendary cone bras, worn on the 1990 Blond Ambition Tour.

She completed the look with a bejeweled crown and rosary necklaces by Indonesian designerRinaldy Yunardi.

After four decades in the business, the famously lapsed Catholic said her childhood faith continues to influence hermusicandperformances.

“When I first started, I was covered in rosaries, so nothing’s changed, really,” she told Vogue, as seen in the clip above. “Religious themes have always been a part of my work and always inspired me in everything that I do ― my music, my creativity, the way I dress.”

“Tonight I feel so close to God,” she added.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.