She’s an unusual artist, inspiring generations of fans and countless other entertainers. To find a musician not influenced by her in any way would be difficult – if possible at all. She’s cited as an inspiration by living legends and emerging acts alike, and by artists representing a wide range of genres.

Kylie Minogue once said: “Madonna’s the queen of pop. I’m the princess”. The queue of pretenders to the throne is much longer though, with Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Lady Gaga at the front. Rihanna said bluntly: “I want to be the black Madonna”. Even alternative artists, far removed from the pop world, such as Björk, Tori Amos and Sinéad O’Connor, accordingly applaud Madonna and credit her for inspiration. Some even speculate that it was her female mini-revolution in the 1980s that prompted heroines Tina Turner and Cher to come back and revive their careers.

But who was the source of inspiration for Madonna herself? Which artists was she looking up to, who were her role models? Let’s have a closer look at other successful women who have influenced the Queen of Pop.

 

Debbie Harry

In the early days of Madonna’s career, when rock music was the closest to her heart, Blondie leader undoubtedly was the biggest influence. One look at the pictures of Emmy, the band Madonna fronted at the beginning of the 1980s, shows how big an inspiration Harry was (and still is!). It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Emmy was Madonna’s answer to Blondie.

The Blonde (left, 1977) and the Brunette (right, early 1980s)

There would be no Madonna without Debbie Harry. Or at least not as we know her today. Harry was the “Madonna” of her times, inventing the image of a dominating and sensual woman, skilfully managing her own brand. She was the initiator of the slogan Girl Power which in the 80s Madonna took to another level, and which in the following decade was picked up by Spice Girls. “How can one be a woman and not be a feminist?” she said.

“In the very beginning, when I was just starting to write music, I was inspired by Debbie Harry, because she seemed very in charge of what she was doing. She was a role model.”

 

Marilyn Monroe

“Very in charge” might not be the first phrase you’d use to describe Marilyn Monroe. Yet for some reason, the iconic actress resonated with Madonna. She manifested her admiration as early as 1985, when she adapted Monroe’s Gentlemen Prefer Blondes performance of “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friends” in her own music video “Material Girl”. In the same year, she impersonated Monroe in a comedy sketch for Saturday Night Live. She appeared on the show again in 1993 to sing “Happy Birthday, Mr. President”, referencing the movie icon’s legendary performance. Remember Madonna in the white gown from the final scene of Who’s That Girl? Yep, that’s another Monroe reference.


Spot the difference! 😉 Madonna in 1987, left, and Monroe in 1952, right

Madonna in 1985 and Monroe in 1953

The way Madonna looked circa her late 80s/early 90s Blond Ambition era was nearly identical to Monroe’s iconic sex bomb image. The highlight of that era was the breathtaking performance of “Sooner or Later” at the 1991 Oscars. She did an impression as closely resembling Monroe as one can only imagine. The show was called by many the ultimate Marilyn Monroe tribute. More recently, the actress came back as a reference in promotional photos for the Rebel Heart album.

 

Marlene Dietrich

Monroe wasn’t the only Hollywood actress to make an impact. German-born icon Marlene Dietrich was equally influential on her artistic development. Already as a teenager, young miss Ciccone was dubbed the “new Dietrich” by her friend, dancer Christopher Flynn. Photographer Francesco Scavullo gave her the pet name “Baby Dietrich”. According to a gossip circulating in the 80s, she was to play the great German actress in a new biopic.

Dietrich’s name is mentioned just next to Monroe’s in “Vogue”. But the 1993 Girlie Show Tour is where Madonna pays her biggest tribute. Remember the big blond wig that she’s wearing during “Express Yourself”? It’s an exact copy of the one that graced Dietrich’s head when performing “Hot Voodoo” in the film Blonde Venus 60 years earlier. But that’s only a prelude to what takes place during “Like a Virgin”: here, Marlene nearly reincarnates in Madonna’s body, complete in her Morocco tuxedo and strong German accent.

Mirror reflection: Madonna in 2013, left, and Dietrich in 1930, right

Just like Monroe, Dietrich is a recurring inspiration. In 2002 photos for Vanity Fair, Madonna appeared made up as no else but the German diva. Then just over a decade later, she reprised the Morocco look at the premiere of her MDNA Tour concert film.

“Marlene Dietrich is still sexy. I wish I had slept with her. She’s gorgeous. She had a very masculine thing about her, but I think she maintained a sexual allure.”

Both gender-bending, both exploring various shades of human sexuality. Fighting conventions, causing a shock and provoking scandals throughout their long careers. And that’s another thing they have in common: longevity. Marlene has been active as a performer, be it films or the stage, for about 60 years, including four decades of being in her absolute prime. That’s something unusual in the entertainment industry.

 

Eva Perón

Often referred to as the role of her life, Evita captures Madonna at the peak of her acting abilities. “I see this role as being my destiny”, she confessed. Reading their respective biographies, you can’t miss the similarities between their lives. Those parallels certainly contributed to the fact that Madonna came out as the winner of the 10-year fight for the role.

They both come from Catholic families. Evita, though, didn’t seem to live her life according to strict guidelines imposed by the Church – and certainly not Madonna. Both Eva and Madonna would choose a similar path to the top, full of hard work and tenacity. They fought obstacles and became the triumphant women holding power. Perón was a controversial figure in Argentina, and she remains such to date, being referred to either as a saint or a whore. Could this polarized view be any closer to public perception of Madonna?

“What drew me to the role was the story of this remarkable woman. Where she came from, how she came up in the world, the incredible amount of influence she had over an entire country.”

Madonna, left, channelling Eva Perón, right

Acting career was something that both miss Duarte and miss Ciccone always dreamed about. Eva gave up her efforts at quite an early stage. And Madonna? Her list of roles, although lengthy, most likely isn’t the goal she originally had in mind. She had high hopes for Evita, believing it would turn her fortunes around. And it did, if only partially: the film earned her a Golden Globe and repaired a slightly tarnished reputation.

This article was originally published on MadonnaNewEra – Madonna’s oldest fansite in the world.

 

See also: From San Pedro to Medellín – Madonna’s Latin Love Moments