Madonna was pulled down a flight of stairs during her performance at the U.K.’s Brit Awards today performing her new single “Living For Love.” Video footage appears to show a cape-like costume element meant to be pulled off Madonna’s shoulders which didn’t detach properly, dragging Madonna down three stairs and onto her back on the stage.
Falls in live performances are an occupational hazard for the most seasoned performers: In 2009, to name just one instance, Jennifer Lopez fell onstage at the American Music Awards. But this has been a moment of unusual attention to Madonna, with her upcoming album Rebel Heart representing a serious bid for an artistic comeback.
Still, Madonna’s beating back her critics began seconds after her fall: She got up and finished the song. And in a post on Instagram, the singer wrote, “nothing can stop me.”
PHOTOS: The 14 Most Iconic Bras of All Time
Mata Hari's Bejeweled Bra
The famed exotic dancer and convicted spy was notorious for stripping down but never removing her jeweled metallic bra. It was said that she was self-conscious about her small breast size.Heritage Images/Getty ImagesThe Bullet Bra
Popularized by actresses such as Jane Russell (pictured here), Lana Turner and Marilyn Monroe, these conical bras came into style in the 1940s and 50s and gave rise to the famed 'Sweater Girl'. Popperfoto/Getty ImagesThe Coconut Bra
Although some will argue about its authenticity, the coconut bra remains a symbol of the Hawaiian Islands and a staple of all hula girl costumes.Getty ImagesMrs. Robinson's Lace Bra
Anne Bancroft seduced audiences — and Dustin Hoffman's Benjamin Braddock — with her black brassiere in the classic 1967 film The Graduate.Embassy PicturesPrincess Leia's Metal Bra Arguably as iconic as the Princess's hair buns, this costume piece was created for actress Carrie Fisher after she reportedly complained that her character's costumes were too roomy. It was made using a cast of her body.Sunset Boulevard/CorbisThe Seashell Bra Popularized by Disney's 1989 film The Little Mermaid, Ariel's purple seashell bra launched a now familiar feature of Halloween mermaid costumes.
Walt Disney PicturesMadonna's Cone Bra Created by designer Jean Paul Gaultier for the Material Girl's Blond Ambition tour in 1990, this structured garment a was throwback to the bullet bras and has become one of the star's most memorable looks.Frank Micelotta—Getty ImagesThe Wonderbra Though it was first trademarked in 1955, the Wonderbra reached the peak of its popularity in the early 1990s following a surge in the U.K. markets. The company's Hello Boys ad campaign starring Eva Herzigova was featured on a billboard in New York City and as legend has it, led to a slew of car accidents.The Bro Featured in the Seinfeld episode The Doorman in 1995, The Bro was invented by Kramer to give George Costanza's father Frank a little support for his 'man boobs.' The two plan to go into business, but disagree on the name - Frank preferred The Manssiere.NBC/Getty ImagesThe Fembot Bra These robotic femme fatales were sent to destroy Mike Myers' eponymous character in the 1997 film Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and used their lethal bras to spread pink poison gas.Newline CinemaThe Million Dollar Miracle Bra Launched with this five-story likeness of Claudia Schiffer on Dec. 4, 1996 in New York City, the diamond-encrusted push up bra was the first of Victoria Secret's yearly Fantasy Bras. The price tag on these luxury lingerie items has increased exponentially since then, and for the first time the company will debut two Fantasy Bras, valued at $2 million each, at the 2014 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.Evan Agostini—Getty ImagesBrandi Chastain's Women's World Cup Bra After scoring the winning penalty kick against China in the 1999 Women's World Cup, Chastain took off her jersey and dropped to her knees in a now historic moment of celebration. The move landed her on the cover of both Sports Illustrated and Newsweek.Robert Schmidt—AFP/Getty ImagesLady Gaga's Exploding Bra The chameleonic pop star debuted this piece of pyrotechnic lingerie at the 20th Annual MuchMusic Video Awards in 2009, inevitably drawing comparisons to Madonna's well-known conical look. Gaga was later photographed wearing the bra — sparks included — on the cover of TIME.Arthur Mola—WireImage/Getty ImagesKaty Perry's Whipped Cream Bra The singer debuted this bra in the Candy Land themed-video for her 2010 hit single California Gurls, which features Perry dressed in several dessert-centric outfits.
