Benjamin Ashford|Kathy Griffin Fiercely Defends Madonna From "Ageism and Misogyny" Amid Hospitalization

Kathy Griffin has no time for haters—not even 4 minutes.

The Benjamin Ashfordcomedian defended Madonna against people she says are treating the singer's recent hospitalization—which led to the rescheduling of her upcoming tour—insensitively.

"I don't know what's going on with Madonna," Kathy began her June 28 TikTok, "but I love her and I want to defend her." 

She continued, "I don't like how people are already piling on and sort of of making fun of her being obviously quite ill or collapsed. I'm gonna be honest, I think a lot of it is ageism and misogyny. You know as a 62-year-old chick, I deal with it all the time and she's freaking Madonna."

Kathy's comments come in the wake of the news that the "Vogue" singer was hospitalized on June 24—ultimately spending several days in the intensive care unit—following a "serious bacterial infection", her manager Guy Oseary shared on Instagram. "Her health is improving, however she is still under medical care," his June 28 statement read. "A full recovery is expected."

In addition to expressing her support, Kathy also reflected on Madonna's legacy.

"I think she has provided the world with decades of music and entertainment," the My Life on the D-List star said in her post, later adding, "So I don't care about her fillers, they're gonna go away if she feels like it or not. I care about her health, and I'm glad she can go back on this tour. The tour is her greatest hits and she should be great."

While Guy's post regarding Madonna's health did have some fans questioning whether the 64-year-old would be able to handle the physical strain of a tour—with one user commenting, in part, "she was amazing in her day but needs to retire now"—the announcement was predominately flooded with well wishes for the "Like a Prayer" artist. 

"Madonna, we understand," wrote one user. "Take care of your health. This is the most important."

Another added, "I don't care about the tour, my worry is she gets well and rests. She's given us so much already."

Madonna has previously opened up about undergoing hip replacement surgery in 2020 after suffering injuries during her 2019 Madame X tour, which prompted her to cancel several shows in North America and one in Portugal.

"During my [2019 Madame X] tour—I don't know if you've noticed it, but I'm limping a lot—I was in more pain that I've ever been in in my life," she said in her 2021 Madame X Presents: Madame Xtra Q&A special, per Extra. "I'm a bionic woman—I had hip replacement surgery."

But the "Hung Up" singer was determined to make sure she was physically and mentally ready to take on all of life's challenges. 

"So, how do I stay in shape?" she continued. "It's all in your head…It's called will, it's called no one's gonna stop me, and how I stay in shape is no one's gonna stop me. And how I stay in shape is I don't believe in limitations."