Music

Linda Perry Accuses Madonna of ‘Trying to Compete’ With Charli XCX

Perry also called Madonna a "follower."

Linda Perry, Madonna, Charli XCX
Neil Mockford / Pascal Le Segretain / John Shearer via Getty

Linda Perry has some strong feelings about where Madonna currently resides as an artist.

In a new installation of Consequence’s series, Bucket List, Perry said that she wants to help Madonna “get back” to her “strength” by helping her write new music, rather than what Perry says Madonna’s currently doing, which is chasing trends.

“Madonna, call me when you're ready to get back to your strength, all right?” the singer-songwriter said.

“She's turned me down so many times,” Perry continued. “When Madonna's ready to retire, she should make that album with me because I'll make her such a great album. Because right now, one of the biggest problems I'm having with Madonna, she is one of the greatest. She taught women to be strong and be yourself.”

“And I love how she just constantly was changing. Her sound, every record sounded different. I mean, she is an explorer. She is a leader. She is out there in front of everyone, leading the path, telling people what to do and how to just be ballsy and get out there and kick people in the ass.”

However, Perry thinks Madonna has changed and is now a “follower.”

“She's following the trends. She's trying to compete with Charli XCX and this and that, everything about her seems weak to me and not powerful. So I would love to get that woman in a studio, slap her in the face a couple of times, and say, ‘Wake up, get back to who Madonna is and what you represent. You are a leader.’”

Perry has been behind several big hits, composing and producing songs like Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful,” Pink’s “Get the Party Started,” and Gwen Stefani’s “What You Waiting For?” Perry has also worked with Adele, Alicia Keys, and Courtney Love, and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015.

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