London Pride organisers have issued a statement amid swirling rumours that pop icon Madonna would be attending the event this year.
Speculation was rife that the Material Girl hitmaker, 67, would make a surprise appearance on the main stage in Trafalgar Square.
Previously, an insider told The Sun that organisers were ‘playing it by ear’ in case plans were to change at the eleventh hour, adding: ‘But as it stands, Madonna is primed to come out on the main stage.’
The source said the Vogue songstress ‘wouldn’t be performing’ but instead would ‘speak to the crowd’.
It was claimed that Pride bosses were ‘expecting absolute pandemonium if they pulled it off’.
Alas, the bubble has been burst, and it’s been confirmed that Madonna won’t be present after all.
Pride in London posted on social media: ‘In response to the rumours, we can confirm that Madonna will not be appearing or performing at Pride in London.
‘We have two fantastic headliners at Trafalgar Square to conclude a brilliant day of protest and celebration.’
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While it is understood that there had, indeed, been communication between organisers and Madonna, she was never a confirmed attendee.
Reacting to the clarification, fans laughed at how the rumours gained so much momentum that the event had to ‘do a PSA’.
‘Well there’s always next year 🤷🏽’, added a disappointed @nova_kid96 on Instagram.
Instead of Madonna, who released her new album, Confessions II, this week, MNEK headlines the main stage this weekend, while Asifa Lahore, Ade Adepitan, Tia Kofi, and Will Njobvu will host.
Other confirmed performers include Beth Ditto and rising star Meek, with a plethora of speakers from all corners of the LGBTQ+ community.
It comes after the 2026 parade saw thousands line the streets of the capital to march in solidarity, with Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan at the front, leading a chant of ‘Happy Pride’.
More than a million people were expected to head into London this year, with the procession running from Hyde Park Corner to Whitehall Place via Piccadilly.
You would be forgiven for assuming an appearance from Madonna could be a possibility, too, given how she’s a big name on everyone’s lips to headline Glastonbury in 2027.
Plus, she kicked off Pride Month in epic style last month with a free gig in Times Square.
Partnering with Grindr, the star sang tracks such as I Feel So Free and Love Sensation from the TSX Entertainment stage, joined by backing dancers.
And, in true Madonna style, there was, of course, a smidge of scandal, as she risked it all to throw her leg over a plastic barrier – more than 30 feet above ground.
Her comeback has been widely celebrated by the queer community, given how Madonna has always championed them and proven herself to be a devout ally, whether it be with defiant speeches or risqué jokes.
For example, in her new Confessions II short film, which starred a whole host of A-listers, she paid tribute to a dear friend, casting Daniele Sibilli to play Martin Burgoyne, who, aged just 23, died of an AIDS-related illness in 1986 and whom she continuously honours.
In fact, earlier in her career, Madonna became one of the first celebs to raise funds for AIDS research and to advocate for awareness and acceptance for the gay community.
She was also considered ‘the first worldwide celebrity’ of her era to do an interview with national gay magazine The Advocate and has long been credited for bringing queer culture to the mainstream, most notably through the dance style of voguing, created by Black and brown trans and gay people.
What’s more, Madonna has been vocal about her LGBTQ+ support even when it wasn’t popular – or safe – to do so.
In 2012, she was sued in Russia after activists claimed to be ‘offended’ by comments she made at a show in St Petersburg. A law had previously been passed deeming it illegal to ‘promote homosexuality’ to minors.
Madonna told the cheering crowd that ‘gay people here and all around the world have the same rights to be treated with dignity, with respect, with tolerance, with compassion, with love.’
Years later, she revealed that she had been ‘fined $1million (£745k)’ for her remarks, but she ‘never paid’.
She’s received awards for her ‘pioneering’ allyship and proudly declared that she ‘wouldn’t have a career if it weren’t for the gay community’.