Madonna falls backwards at Brits, blames Armani

Lucy Harbin says:

What appears to happen here is that there were two types of closure on the cape, a stout hook-and-eye to keep the heavy drapery in place during the singer’s long procession to the stage, and a lighter “breakaway” attachment such as Velcro. The idea apparently was that once she reached her place on stage, Madonna would release the heavier clasp, and then the dancers behind her would snatch the cape, causing the Velco to tear loose.

What did apparently happen is that the heavier clasp was not properly undone on cue: perhaps the apparatus jammed or perhaps Madonna fumbled with it.

It is mightily impressive that after taking that blind fall backward down the staircase, she was on her feet and singing again within seconds. (And this incident is proof positive that Madonna does in fact sing “live,” since the vocal line clearly in interrupted during and immediately after the fall, and when it begins again, the voice is understandably a bit quavery.

Brava Madonna!