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Madonna Breaks Down On Stage Paying Tribute To Paris Victims, Before Holding A Minute's Silence In Stockholm

Madonna Breaks Down On Stage Paying Tribute To Paris Victims
Caroline Frost
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Madonna broke down on stage as she paid emotional tribute to those who lost their lives in the tragic events in Paris.

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The pop legend had paused her concert in Stockholm on Saturday, to reflect on the atrocities that had cost the lives of a reported 129 people in an orchestrated series of attacks in the French capital 24 hours earlier, and to explain why she had chosen to continue with performing her show in Sweden.

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Madonna was visibly moved as she expressed her sadness about the events in Paris before holding a minute's silence at her concert in Stocklholm

“It’s been really hard actually to get through the show, because in many ways, I feel torn,” the US superstar told the audience.

“Like, why am I up here dancing and having fun when people are crying over the loss of their loved ones? However, that is exactly what these people want us to do. They want to shut us up. They want to silence us. And we won’t let them.

“There are people who have no respect for human life, and there are people that do atrocious, degrading and unforgivable things to human beings,” she said during the powerful seven-minute speech.

“But we will never, ever, ever change this world that we live in if we do not change ourselves. If we do not change the way we treat one another on a daily basis. The way we change the world is not to elect another president, not to kill a hundred more people.

"The way we change the world is that we change the way we treat one another on a daily basis, in the simplest ways. We must start treating every human being with dignity and respect, and this is the only thing that will change the world.”

Madonna then proceeded to sing - with tears running down her face - an emotionally powerful acoustic version of her soulful hit 'Like a Prayer', telling the audience, "So, here's what I know how to do, and I hope you will all join me, and we will all sing this prayer together."

Celebrities have joined the rest of the world in expressing their sadness at the scale of the tragedy, even though several have run into controversy expressing their opinions.

US actor Rob Lowe was slammed as "inhumane" and "insensitive" for tweeting 'Oh, NOW France closes its borders' following the French president's speech the day after the attacks, while British presenter Jason Manford's Facebook account was suspended after he had branded those responsible for the atrocities "f***ing cowards", during an extended rant against the perpetrators, opinions he later defended.

Madonna is mid-way through the European legend of her well-received Rebel Heart tour. British star Idris Elba was on support act duties for her last week in Berlin, where he posted a picture of them together, and later he told HuffPostUK what it felt like sharing the stage with the hitmaker of three decades and counting.

World Shows Solidarity In Wake Of Paris Attacks - Tribute In Light
Solidarity in Egypt after terror attacks(01 of22)
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GIZA, EGYPT - NOVEMBER 15: The Great Pyramid (C) is illuminated in the colours of the French flag in order to show solidarity after the Paris terror attacks of 13 November, in Giza, Egypt, on November 15, 2015. At least 129 people were killed and over 352 injured, 99 of which seriously, following a series of terrorist attacks in the French capital. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-FRANCE-ATTACKS(02 of22)
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The London Eye is illuminated in blue, white and red lights, resembling the colours of the French national flag, in central London on November 15, 2015, as Britons express their solidarity with France following a spate of coordinated attacks in Paris on November 13 that left more than 120 people dead. Islamic State jihadists claimed a series of coordinated attacks by gunmen and suicide bombers in Paris on November 13 that killed at least 128 people in scenes of carnage at a concert hall, restaurants and the national stadium. AFP PHOTO / NIKLAS HALLE'N (Photo credit should read NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:NIKLAS HALLE'N via Getty Images)
UAE-DUBAI-FRANCE-ATTACKS-PARIS(03 of22)
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A picture taken in Dubai on November 15, 2015, shows Burj al-Khalifa, the world's tallest building, illuminated in the colours of the French national flag two days after deadly attacks in Paris. Islamic State jihadists claimed a series of coordinated attacks by gunmen and suicide bombers in Paris that killed at least 129 people in scenes of carnage at a concert hall, restaurants and the national stadium. AFP PHOTO / KARIM SAHIB (Photo credit should read KARIM SAHIB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KARIM SAHIB via Getty Images)
Global Reaction To Paris Terror Attacks(04 of22)
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DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 15: The Burj Al Arab Hotel is illuminated in the colours of the French flag on November 15, 2015 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. At least 120 people have been killed and over 200 are injured in Paris following a series of terrorist acts in the French capital on Friday. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) (credit:Warren Little via Getty Images)
(05 of22)
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The Friends arena in Solna near Stockholm is lit with national colours of France ahead the Euro 2016 play-off football match between Sweden and Denmark on November 14, 2015. AFP PHOTO / JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JONATHAN NACKSTRAND via Getty Images)
(06 of22)
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The Friends Arena in Solna, outside Stockholm, Swedne, is lit up in the colors of the French flag in solidarity with France after the deadly attacks in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015. French President Francois Hollande said more than 120 people died Friday night in shootings at Paris cafes, suicide bombings near France's national stadium and a hostage-taking slaughter inside a concert hall. (Marcus Ericsson/TT via AP) SWEDEN OUT (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(07 of22)
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The Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm is lit up in the colors of the French flag in solidarity with France after the deadly attacks in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015. French President Francois Hollande said more than 120 people died Friday night in shootings at Paris cafes, suicide bombings near France's national stadium and a hostage-taking slaughter inside a concert hall. (Christine Olsson/TT via AP) SWEDEN OUT (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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The Palace Albania building is lit in the colors of the French flag on November 14, 2015 in central Belgrade following a series of coordinated attacks in and around Paris late on November 13 with 180 people injured, 80 of them seriously, police sources told. Islamic State jihadists claimed a series of coordinated attacks by gunmen and suicide bombers in Paris that killed at least 128 people in scenes of carnage at a concert hall, restaurants and the national stadium. AFP PHOTO / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC (Photo credit should read ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANDREJ ISAKOVIC via Getty Images)
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The White Tower, symbol of the city of Thessaloniki, is lit with the colors of the French national flag on November 14, 2015, a day after deadly attacks in Paris. Islamic State jihadists claimed a series of coordinated attacks by gunmen and suicide bombers in Paris that killed at least 128 people in scenes of carnage at a concert hall, restaurants and the national stadium. AFP PHOTO / Sakis Mitrolidis (Photo credit should read SAKIS MITROLIDIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAKIS MITROLIDIS via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 14: As the sun sets, Tower Bridge is lit up in a succession of blue, white and red representing the French flag on November 14, 2015 in London, England. The bridge is being lit in the wake of the Paris attacks, where many cities across the world are lighting their landmarks with the colors of France.. (Photo by Chris Ratcliffe/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Ratcliffe via Getty Images)
(11 of22)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 14: As the sun sets, Tower Bridge is lit up in a succession of blue, white and red representing the French flag on November 14, 2015 in London, England. The bridge is being lit in the wake of the Paris attacks, where many cities across the world are lighting their landmarks with the colors of France.. (Photo by Chris Ratcliffe/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Ratcliffe via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 14: As the sun sets, Tower Bridge is lit up in a succession of blue, white and red representing the French flag on November 14, 2015 in London, England. The bridge is being lit in the wake of the Paris attacks, where many cities across the world are lighting their landmarks with the colors of France.. (Photo by Chris Ratcliffe/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Ratcliffe via Getty Images)
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The One World Trade Center spire is lit blue, white and red after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the lighting in honor of dozens killed in the Paris attacks Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, in New York. French officials say several dozen people have been killed in shootings and explosions at a theater, restaurant and elsewhere in Paris. (AP Photo/Kevin Hagen) (credit:Kevin Hagen/AP)
(14 of22)
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The Oriental Pearl TV Tower (C), in the Lujiazui Financial District in Pudong, is lit in red, white and blue, resembling the colours of the French flag, in Shanghai on November 14, 2015, as the Chinese expressed their solidarity with France following a spate of coordinated attacks that left 128 dead and 180 injured in Paris late on November 13. The Oriental Pearl tower was bathed in the French flag colours for one hour. AFP PHOTO / JOHANNES EISELE (Photo credit should read JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JOHANNES EISELE via Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 13: The High Roller at The LINQ Promenade on the Las Vegas Strip is lit up with the blue, white and red colors of the French flag in a show of solidarity with France on November 13, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. At least 125 people were reported killed in shootings and explosions in a terrorist attack in Paris on Friday. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (credit:Ethan Miller via Getty Images)
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TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 13 - The CN Tower lit up with the colours of the French Flag in support of France in the face of tragedy, on November 13, 2015 (Cole Burston/Toronto Star via Getty Images) (credit:Cole Burston via Getty Images)
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The iconic sails of the Sydney Opera House are lit in red, white and blue, resembling the colours of the French flag, in Sydney on November 14, 2015, as Australians express their solidarity with France following a spate of coordinated attacks that left 128 dead and 180 injured in Paris late on November 13. Both the Opera House and the Sydney Town Hall were bathed in the French colours and New South Wales state Premier Mike Baird said he had also asked for a French flag to fly over the city's famous harbour bridge. AFP PHOTO / William WEST (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:WILLIAM WEST via Getty Images)
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People walk past the Sydney Town Hall as it is lit in red, white and blue, resembling the colours of the French flag, in Sydney on November 14, 2015, as Australians express their solidarity with France following a spate of coordinated attacks that left 128 dead and 180 injured in Paris late on November 13. Both the Opera House and the Sydney Town Hall were bathed in the French colours and New South Wales state Premier Mike Baird said he had also asked for a French flag to fly over the city's famous harbour bridge. AFP PHOTO / William WEST (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:WILLIAM WEST via Getty Images)
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Manchester's Town Hall is illuminated in blue, white and red lights, resembling the colours of the French national flag, in Manchester, north west Enlgand on November 15, 2015, as Britons express their solidarity with France following a spate of coordinated attacks that left over 120 dead in Paris on November 13. Islamic State jihadists claimed a series of coordinated attacks by gunmen and suicide bombers in Paris on November 13 that killed at least 128 people in scenes of carnage at a concert hall, restaurants and the national stadium. AFP PHOTO / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:OLI SCARFF via Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - NOVEMBER 15: The iconic pillars of San Francisco City Hall are lit in red, white and blue, resembling the colours of the French flag, in San Francisco on November 14, 2015, as Americans and Californians express their solidarity with France following a spate of coordinated attacks that left 128 dead and 180 injured in Paris late on November 13. A French flag also flies over the city's famous landmark outside the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on November 15, 2015 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by C Flanigan/FilmMagic) (credit:C Flanigan via Getty Images)
Toronto Maple Leafs v New York Rangers(21 of22)
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NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 15: The New York Rangers and the Toronto Maple Leafs take part in a moment of silence to honor the victims of the attacks in Paris prior to the game on November 15, 2015 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) (credit:Jared Silber via Getty Images)
VENEZUELA-FRANCE-PARIS-ATTACKS(22 of22)
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France square is seen illuminated in the colors of the French flag in Caracas, Venezuela on November 15, 2015, during a tribute to the victims of the deadly attacks of November 13 in Paris. Islamic State jihadists claimed a series of coordinated attacks by gunmen and suicide bombers in Paris on November 13 that killed at least 129 people and injured 352 in scenes of carnage at a concert hall, restaurants and the national stadium. AFP PHOTO/JUAN BARRETO (Photo credit should read JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUAN BARRETO via Getty Images)

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