Dear Madonna,

I see you’re about to release another album. What number does that make this one? Forty? I can’t believe you’ve released that many albums. Gurl, you’ve been around for ages, and I mean that with respect.

Congratulations are definitely in order. Releasing that many albums is no small feat, especially considering the critics were so quick to dismiss you when you first burst onto the scene. What did they all say? That you were going to be a flash and then disappear? Well, you certainly proved them wrong.

Since then, you’ve become one of the biggest trailblazers in the music industry. You knocked down doors, paved new paths, and proved that a woman could take control of her career, her image, and her future in an industry predominantly run by men. You didn't just play the game—you beat the men who created it.

With songs like "Papa Don't Preach," "Express Yourself," "Like a Virgin," and, of course, "Vogue," you helped define the music of the '80s and '90s. The Blonde Ambition Tour changed what a concert could be. Evita showed people you were more than a pop star, and the Re-Invention Tour reminded us exactly why we fell in love with you in the first place.

And yes, I will always consider you and Michael Jackson the Queen and King of Pop. It’s a shame the two of you never released a duet.

As a former impersonator of yours, I spent years stepping into your shoes, bleaching my hair, and learning your choreography. I did it because I resembled you during your Blonde Ambition days. I did it because it was fun. You helped a gay boy who was afraid to be in front of people develop the confidence to say, “Fuck it,” and do what he wanted. If people got offended, it wasn’t my problem. I learned that from you.

So, with the confidence you helped me build, I’m going to continue to push forward: as the release date of your new album comes closer, I have to say I’m not that interested in it. I’ve been that way for some time now. You’ve changed over the last few years. I miss the old Madonna. The one who led the conversation instead of chasing it like you have been for the last several years. And the few images I have already seen in promotion of the new album have only reinforced my feelings.

Back in the day, you used to set trends and push boundaries. You got banned by the Pope and nearly got arrested in Canada during the Blonde Ambition Tour. Whether people loved you or hated you, they were at least talking about you. You were the conversation. You were forcing people to face their own fears about sex and strong women.

You were fearless. You didn't follow culture. You challenged it.

Once upon a time your antics shocked people. It felt dangerous. That's what made you special. Every few years you transformed yourself into something unexpected. You were never content to repeat yourself. Lately, however, it feels like you're revisiting old chapters instead of writing new ones. The bras, the cleavage, the fishnets, the rolling around on a bed or floor—we've seen it countless times. To quote Kevin Costner, “It's neat.”

And since I've already wandered into dangerous territory, I may as well continue.

Instead of talking about your latest music, people are discussing the fillers, the filters, and the heavily edited photographs. The headlines aren't asking, “What is Madonna creating?” They're asking, “What has Madonna done to her face?” Before I’m accused of being ageist, let's be clear: I have nothing against a little nip, tuck, or Botox to hold off the passing of time. Hell, I've had some myself. But lately the conversation has stopped being about the music. Instead, it's about your face and the antics that make you seem like a fading star doing whatever she can to stay in the public eye.

That's not fair. Especially considering your legacy. The thing that made you powerful was never your appearance. It was your confidence. Your nerve. Your ability to walk into a room and make everyone else play by your rules.

Please understand, none of this comes from a place of animosity. Quite the opposite. It comes from someone who spent years admiring you, performing as you, and watching your legacy grow. You built one of the most remarkable careers in music history. However, that legacy is increasingly being overshadowed by bad press, problematic Instagram posts, and endless discussions about your appearance rather than conversations about your music and accomplishments.

So, Madonna as this new album arrives, I find myself asking one simple question:

What will you show us? A queen trying to recreate yesterday? Or a queen reminding us why she earned the crown in the first place?

With respect, admiration, and just a touch of concern,

Portland's Own Madonna