With the passing of Prince still on the minds of everyone in the music world, Madonna took to the stage for the grand finale of the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday to pay tribute to the late rock legend.
Seated on a sparkling purple chair, Madonna performed “Nothing Compares 2 U” with a string quartet while pictures of tombstone epitaphs and Prince’s live shows played behind her.
The show then ended with the surprise appearance of Stevie Wonder joining Madonna on stage to lead the sold-out crowd at the T-Mobile Arena in singing “Purple Rain.”
Prince fans on Twitter had a mixed reaction to Madonna‘s performance of one of Prince’s finest songs, but were very excited for Stevie Wonder’s unannounced appearance.
So respectful! madonna/”>madonna/”>madonna/”>Madonna“>@madonna/”>madonna/”>madonna/”>Madonna making this tribute truly about #Prince. And giving us that old school pop voice of hers I LOVE!!! #BBMAs
— Perez (@ThePerezHilton) May 23, 2016
madonna is making me wish it was me who died
— cait (@cocainezayn) May 23, 2016
Madonna, girl… pic.twitter.com/gWSYmNsbtv
— A Love Bizarre (@FeministaJones) May 23, 2016
— LegolaSlut (@legolas_s) May 23, 2016
Crying. Great tribute. madonna/”>madonna/”>madonna/”>Madonna“>@madonna/”>madonna/”>madonna/”>Madonna and #StevieWonder are beautiful. #Prince
— Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) May 23, 2016
*TEARS*
Thank you for saving this, Stevie Wonder! #BBMAs
— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) May 23, 2016