Madonna says she would never perform while drunk or high, but she does act like it sometimes. Photo/AP
Madonna has slammed reports that she performed drunk on stage in Melbourne, labelling the attacks sexist.
The US pop superstar, who is in Australia for the last leg of her Rebel Heart tour, addressed the reports on her Instagram account, posting a photo of a message in support of her.
"Thanks for supporting me," Madonna said in the caption of the post.
"Too bad people don't know the art of acting and playing a character.
"I could never do any of my shows high or drunk.
"And yes underlying all of this is sexism and misogyny which proves that not only do we not get equal pay but we are still treated like heretics if we step out of line and think outside the box!
"Sexism is alive and kicking but I am #living for love."
At her intimate fan-only Tears Of A Clown show in Melbourne last Thursday, Madonna admitted to drinking for the first time on stage but denied being drunk.
Read more: Madonna makes Melbourne fans wait three hours for 'bonkers' show
For her Saturday night show at Rod Laver Arena, she adopted some of her clown persona and took swigs from a bottle and flask.
"This s*** is too strong," she said. "I think you can drink it for me. You look tough," she said to a sound effect of drums played after a bad joke.
She passed her flask to Molly Meldrum in the front row, who later revealed it was only water in the flask.
- AAP
Viewers expressed their outrage, suggesting the team on the show was 'robbed'.