Leon on Appearing in Madonna's Controversial "Like a Prayer" Video, Burning Crosses Shown (Part 3)
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
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Leon spoke about appearing in Madonna's controversial "Like a Prayer" video shortly after co-starring with Robin Givens in the ABC miniseries, "The Women of Brewster Place." Leon initially turned Madonna down because he was more focused on studio films and didn't receive details on what his role would be. But after his agent suggested he meet with the director because it could lead to more work, he became intrigued by the role and knew the song would be a hit. However, Leon was unaware that the video would become a major news story due to the controversial imagery of Madonna dancing in front of burning crosses. Despite the controversy, Leon spoke on how well the video relates to today by addressing interracial relationships and the policing of African Americans.
I love how he corrected Vlad ”I don't know about neck, and neck”
lol
@\/ Nah not even close
@\/ mj was way bigger than maddona
\/ No they were not!
@@Msboochie2 YES THEY WERE.
This guy is 58 years old! He Does Not Age!
It don’t crack!
thats why love black woman
He’s starting to age a little but for 58 yeah he’s in good shape.
@@BakiSmaki27 I honestly don't see it. He looks essentially as young as he did back in the 90s
I thought he was in his early 50s
I forgot he was in "Like a Prayer" music video. Leon has definitely aged well💯❤
Thats the thing tho, he hasn't aged. Im starting to think hes a vampire
Good black don’t crack
This dude just looks like he’s dope at painting
PICASO
Wouldn't be surprised if he was lol
cthu
😂😂😂😂
Dawg lmao 👨🏾🎨😂
I love the Temptations movie. Leon killed it as David ruffin.
we talk about that
Ain't nobody coming to see you Otis.
Yall ain't nuthin without DavidRuffin!
He killed JT in Five Heartbeats too
It’s my favorite movie fam.
Ain Nobody Coming To See You Glad , We coming to see David Ruffin Lol
Lmmaaoooo
😂😂😂😂
Lol
All he needed was the glasses 🤣🤣🤣😂
Yawl asssesss is stoopid Lmao 😂 I made yawl asssesss Lol
'AIN'T NOBODY COMING TO SEE YOU OTIS' 😅😂
He made that movie the temptations
Shit wasn’t even supposed to be funny but it was 🤣🤣🤣
Crazy me and my brothers just say dis to each other out of the blue Nd we all laugh about it
LOL!! He made that movie. "
David Ruffin: Y'all Stupid! You can't fire me! I made your asses!
🤣🤣🤣
Love how Leon responds to the seemingly immature questions of Vlad...”so how was it with Madonna kissing your feet?” “And then you her kissed right?”🙄🙄 This man just broke down the meaning of the video step by step and that’s all that Vlad can come up with? SMH.
thank you
Just come across this thread about his role in Madonna’s groundbreaking video of Like A Prayer. Some have insinuated sexual undertones in the scene where the girl portrayed by Madonna kissed the foot of the religious figure/statue portrayed by Leon. But from a religious perspective, it’s customary among the faithful in both Catholic and Orthodox tradition to touch or kiss venerated religious images (painting, statue or relic) as a gesture of reverence, devotion, humility and supplication. Same thing when Catholics meet the Pope or their parish bishop/cardinal, they kiss their hand/ring of office to show respect. Conversely during Holy Week service on Maundy Thursday (before Easter Sunday), the Pope (also the bishops in their parish churches) will kneel down and wash & kiss the feet of 12 people chosen from their community (sometimes of prisoners) as a gesture of humility and compassion to commemorate Jesus during the Last Supper when He washed the feet of the 12 apostles as He commanded them to “love one another” as He had loved them. In the video, the religious figure that Leon portrayed was not a “Black Jesus” as some had incorrectly claimed-it is that of St Martin de Porres-a 16th century mulatto Peruvian Dominican friar who devoted his life in the compassionate service of the poor, the sick, orphans and those marginalized in society-who like himself faced prejudice, poverty and social injustice. He is venerated by Catholics as the patron saint for social justice, racial harmony, of mixed race people & relations-themes and causes that Madonna advocated in the video of Like A Prayer.
Agreed, Vlad always try to drain blood from turnips. 🤦🏾♀️
He's not an intellectual person
Vlad is legend for mentioning Tyson, Tupac and Suge in every interview 😂😂😂
Ain’t nobody come to see no Otis!!!....I was dying when he said that in The Temptations😭
Kinda remind of Wesley Snipes, very underrated actor and played many varied roles. He been around a min. His Little Richard role probably flew way under the radar.
Loooool "I don't know if they were neck and neck." Let him know Leon.
exactly not in 85 maybe by 88-89
@I Think The Fuck Not You Trick Ass Bitch The fuck she did. Her best selling album (True Blue) didn't come close to doing what Thriller, Bad, or Dangerous did. Look up the numbers.
This dude should have been on Denzel's level.
@You Tubian Leon actually played a gay/bisexual character in at least one film. Denzel has not.
Please explain what "ritual" you're talking about.
@You Tubian - Yeah.. I think that's a given. From my very short time pursuing the entertainment business, I can validate that there are hundreds of equally talented people who are willing to do just a little extra if you won't.
@@sharonjo7630 - Think Harvey Weinstein, but with men. The casting couch isn't strictly for females and children.
He is!!!!!!!!!
@@sharonjo7630 I’m an illuminist for REAL.... I’m also waiting to hear about these “rituals”
The fact that Madonna cast a Black Jesus being that back then she was Catholic
It was ballsy and pissed a lot of people off. Loved it!
@@Stevie_Nickels exactly, lol & I loved it too, to me it was genius
Being a Catholic has nothing to do with knowing the truth because the truth is even the vatican/roman papacy/Catholic mother church knows the real messiah Yahawashi aka so called white Jesus is really a so called black man from the tribe of JUDAH!!!...imjs!!!🤷🏾♂️💪🏾✊🏾👊🏾👍🏾🙏🏾🛸🔥👑👸🏾🤴🏾🐑🦁💯
@@benjamintribe4652 Jesus was definitely NOT white. It would be pretty much impossible
@@benjamintribe4652 I call BS but wahsver
He so underrated as an actor. He becomes the characters that he plays very well. My Mommy said he really nailed David Ruffin, from the R&B group The Temptations in their bio. He's so handsome and the former boyfriend and Baby Daddy👶 of Atlanta Housewife Cynthia Bailey. Goodness! This man is handsome; he has aged so well.
Vlad is so annoying"So there were burning crosses".."What's the significance of that"..This cat trys so hard to stir the pot with shit it's actually funny
U make no sense tho... like it was a huge deal. Black Jesus... burning crosses... the Pepsi deal smh. It was a huge deal.
Burning Crosses is what the KKK would do to scare blacks back in the day. They would also burn Black Churches.
This shouldn't have to be explained to anyone....especially if a " culture vulture" such as Vlad knows the significance of burning crosses.
@@rodinowright6591 thanks 4 the history lesson big dog but the burning crosses in a Madonna video where the love interest is a black man and white men burning crosses in the south is a huge difference like homie said it depends who's burning them.. Everyone needs to stop reaching and being sensitive af
@@rodinowright6591 yet here u are wrong... Leon didn’t write the video. The correct answer is u have to ask Madonna.
@@raulpena8764 negative. The video was depicting a hate crime...hence the burning crosses ( KKK).
Madonna dancing with burning crosses trying to appear iconic is what pissed black folks off.
Even one if her back ground singers, a black female named Nikki Harris, later said she didn't like the idea.
Madonna later she was trying to be controversial.
Pepsi pulled the ad BUT let Madonna keep the money.
I hate the vid because the Blacks in it were usef as props...the Black Saint, black gospel choir, the little black kid dancing.
I didn't care for the other of whites ( Madonna) always running to Blacks for spiritual redemption when they're in trouble.
Madonna always have used minorities as props in her career aling with Miley and Xstina.
Appreciate her longevity but meh.
I won't even watch the video if I see it.
I was 14 when Like A Prayer Came out and it took time for that song to become a favorite from Madonna. Leon always plays the best parts and you feel he’s a game changer😎
Michael was a whole lot bigger than Madonna son. In 1989 right after the Bad album, Michael was at his best performance wise etc.
Hell Janet had her beat. Rhythm nation album was LARGE
@@Fam200532 - Rhythm Nation 1814 was a big record, no doubt. But Madonna's Like a Prayer was still bigger. Rhythm Nation sold 12 million copies worldwide but Like a Prayer sold 16 million. Outside of America Janet often struggled. Hence why Madonna has sold 350 million records and Janet has sold 100 million. I have love and respect for both but you can't come for Madonna from a worldwide prospective. She's the biggest selling female artist of all time for a reason.
Madonna was huge every bitch was dressed like her!! Her records were playing everywhere I’m from Brooklyn I remember when holiday came out we thought she was black
@ thank u.... I was born in 84. Ppl don’t realize how big a deal she really was. Like Madonna has the record for number 1s or some shit.... huge ass artist
@joker hoax Nah, she was a pioneer for reinventing herself, female wise... like James Brown was for men. She just did her
One word Icon!
AINT NOBODY COMING TO SEE YOU OTIS 😂😂😂 everytime I see this man face
Leon is like, "Do you want to talk about me or Madonna?"
Vlad just zoomed by the Women of Brewster place. That was an iconic movie.
My guy Leon. Legend
Glads going to have Leon play lord jamar soon and pretend nothing happens lol
Hahahahahaha
Madonna was smackn in 89 but cmon Glad neck at neck wit MJ??🤦♂️
not even close Michael Jackson neck and neck with Madonna you're joking right Madonna's not even on Michael Jackson's level Michael Jackson is way up high Madonna is way down the bottom not even close she was big but not bigger than Michael Jackson everybody loves Michael Jackson in all countries people in the middle east loved Michael Jackson he was a God there even in America he's a God
what are you smoking? Madonna wasn't as big in other countries as Michael Jackson everybody knew Michael Jackson was when they see him there is no debate Michael Jackson was much greater than Madonna there is no contest
Michael Jackson didn't need clout he already had alot of clout he definitely didn't need Madonna for clout when Michael Jackson died the whole world was in mourning could you say the same thing if Madonna pass away would they mourn over her not as much I'm not wishing bad luck on her but Madonna was not as big as Michael Jackson maybe the young girls that was trying to be like Madonna i know when Madonna first came out girls tried to dress like her die their hair blonde wear that dress she wore in like a virgin that's it. I said my peace Michael Jackson will always be bigger than Madonna
I'm not going back and forth with you Michael Jackson is the Greatest entertainer ever that's my opinion that's it period. say no more!!!!
I always thought in the "Like a Prayer" he resembled Madonna's former boyfriend the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Like A Prayer is one of the greatest music videos of all time Madonna just wanted show what racism is
So he's Leon. My mother and Grandmother still fawn over that man to this day. He did an awesome job playing David Ruffin in the "Temptations",(1998), Eddie in "The Five Heartbeats", (1991), and all the other great movies and tv shoes he's been in as well.
I am fawning over him 2022! He seems so nice and handsome.
Waiting to exhale.
Around 1990, indeed, Madonna and Michael Jackson were not neck to neck [01:00]: he was a pop legend merely maintaining his name, whereas she was storming our world as a cultural revolution approaching climax.
Madonna is an average artist with an average voice... MJ is the greatest entertainer of all time and his voice is legendary
Besides that Michael Jackson's sheer vocal talent is _not_ legendary, and, alike Madonna, he is legendary instead as a _performer_ and as a cultural icon, I spoke on an issue far different from literal musical talent. Although Michael Jackson redefined superstardom and helped reshape America's racial relations, Madonna led the reshaping of American culture's concepts of womanhood and sexuality. Values and deeds that thirdwave feminists, sexual fetishists, and LGBT'ers now take for granted-or that later female singers, like Britney Spears, Miley Cycrus, Lady Gaga, and so on, have tried to pass off as controversial-Madonna is the one who, leading the way, bearing the brunt, took it from closeted to popular.
@Ali Shaikh uh no
@Ali Shaikh and cocaine is a powerful drug... ask Madonna... how old are you because you have no idea what your talking about
@Ali Shaikh kid ok homie you should learn humility you're wrong MJ has the highest selling album ever and was a star since adolescence... you're a clown
I'm just waiting for Vlad to ask 2pac questions about Above the Rim. One of my favorite movies of all time!
It was a good movie
Im David Ruffin and I'm on Vladtv , Ain't nobody coming to see you Vlad , Work it JT Work it 😂
Lol now I get the line from Kendrick Lamar’s GOD.... “Work it JT”
For people doubting Madonna’s popularity in the 80’s, she was part of the Holy Trinity of that decade. MJ was on top of the pyramid with Prince and Madonna side by side below him. By ‘89 she probably was more popular than MJ because MJ’s album Bad was just finishing its run that year, and Madonna’s was coming out that year. Overall MJ obviously ruled the 80’s with the sales of Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad
This guy is a fucking legend. For real, and I’ve never seen him speak outside of movies. It’s. trip.
Leon “Jo man one more Madonna question I’m gonna use this chair I’m sitting on as a decoration on you”
They’re questions are some of the dumbest questions and comments I have heard come out of that man’s mouth. It shows just how little respect he has for us and our culture. I refuse to believe these were the best questions he could come up with.🤦🏾♀️
U in his comment section painting a narrative.... I’m glad to see Leon getting love, period. Grow up
U r so right. Awkward stupid stupid questions. Love Leon
Leon played that burning cross question off as best as he could. Why Vlad? It wasnt his idea. Setup???
In the eighties, no one was neck and neck with MJ.
Word!!
I literally read your comment after Glad said Mj and Madonna were neck and neck....freaky @$$ synchronicity....and you're right....NOBODY was f*cking with MJ back in the 80s...
@I Think The Fuck Not You Trick Ass Bitch don't mean she was more talented than MJ and he has the top selling album EVER!!
@I Think The Fuck Not You Trick Ass Bitch your taking bath salts if you think madonna is anywhere near or better than MJ
Apart from Madonna.
Leon tap dat Madonna ass
VLAD is ALWAYS trying to tell people what happened within their own lives 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Leon giving me JJ vibes😂
Lol dynamite!!!!
'David Ruffin"
Damn Leon is smooth him and Omarion have great media training smooth talkers
0:40 secs "Im not a very messy guy"
Vlad - *You dont know what u missing*
Madonna from Detroit... she love brothas. Kanye had a burning cross in jesus walks video.
Lol she dated Tupac at one time.
True she dated Tupac and was messing with Bobby brown at one point
Vald, how rude that you compare Michael Jackson to Madonna. Dude Madonna is in no comparison to the King of Pop. Are you crazy..
People have been comparing them for as long as I can remember
Right, I peeped that.
@Pepe Aguilar Our opinions, our comments, Our✊ people!!
at the time, he was the biggest male artist in the world and she was the biggest female artist
@@vladtv Michael Jackson made people cried. His music brought people of all races together.
love leon. i remember him on oz
Madonna has never been on MJ level.
@I Think The Fuck Not You Trick Ass Bitch lmmfao!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣💀💀💀
@I Think The Fuck Not You Trick Ass Bitch yea you’ve really angered me 🙄... why am I even responding to a nobody anyway 😂😂😂... a wise man told me don’t argue with fools because people from a distance can’t tell who is who... peace fool 👋🏾✌🏾.
She was actually higher at that point. MJ was seen as a bit of an oddball, whereas Madonna was the cool, rebellious, blazing a trail for women and the gay community.
He was almost 40 when I was born in 2001 and now he’s almost 60 and still looks alright for his age 💀 I loved his David Ruffin role
On your picture u look 40
You look constipated
He meant when he graduated college 😂
@@freath8076 sounds bout right😂
My favorite Madonna Song and Video! Leon is Epic in the Story!
I forgot Leon was a sex symbol in the late 80s along side will Prince, Micheal Jackson, Billy D Williams, Eddie Murphy, Ll Cool J, Big Daddy Kane, etc.....
I wouldn’t say Michael Jackson was a sex symbol in the late 80s.
*I love how he’s still dressed in 80’s fashion. This nigga is smooth.*
If they ever do the Marvin gaye bio pic. Sign him up
I dunno why this guy is so cool. But he is. Close to 60 and not a wrinkle or gray hair in sight
Leon is the man ! An amazing talent .
'89 there weren't interracial relationships? Vlad what are you on these days?
That video was an still is iconic and Leon was incredible in it. I remember we were all in love with him
No interracial relationships in 1989? Vlad what u talkin bout. So we only see mix people from ages 28 & under?
Oh there definitely was then and before. I am proof. I was 10yrs old when this video came out. Mom's was white, my pops black.
Well not exactly relationships no. Black men were still getting white women pregnant, but they were just running away right after as they've always done. It was only in the following years that some of them stayed (at least more than we were used to)
@@InAnotherLife90 how u know they ran after they got the white woman pregnant? U were there? U 🤡🤡🤡
I'm tired of people referencing Madonna as an 80s act. Are You kidding me? Look into her discography and see how she fairs on the charts. Even in 2023 she's on the radio with the Weekend for POPULAR. Her last number one was in 2000 , her last top 10 in 2012. LONGEVITY if You ask.
Leon looks like a poetry icon
I DID NOT realize that was the story being told in that video...I just liked the song🤷🏾♀️
I think it could've had a double meaning. I'm not the most into that kind of thing, but some people think the song is about the devil. I can see it being possible in a lot of the video.
Never understood the controversy over the burning crosses. It appears people forgot the word “context”. They still do, in fact.
Leon high af 😄😄
Temptations ain't nothing without David ruffin
After 30 years I finally gets the video, I remember watching it as a kid 👧🏻
I first remember Leon in the Isaiah Thomas story, which was also released in '89. He acted so well on the show.
David Ruffin was his best performance for me. "Whatever you say......Otis"
Love Leon. Underrated actor. Great charisma and he seems humble as hell. Derice Bannock! Heh
We know what you mean about the
calendar section bruh.
This cat ain't hip but we are.
HEYYYY HEYYYY HEYYYYY 🤣
He actually sounds like Jimi Hendrix when he speaks
Leon was in a Disney Movie With John Candy Cool Running
Jesus and the Israelites were black
no they weren't
say it again!
Vlad stretched this interview out so much. LEON was not bitting.
Tom Sheppard this is like seeing a ghost
It took me until just now to understand the burning crosses. 🤦🏻♀️ Now I get it.
Does this dude not have a last name ?
Robinson
LOL HIS LAST NAME IS RUFFIN
DANM All these years I thought he was playing Black Jesus! lol
Neck and neck calm down Glad calm down im 33 I remember those times stop comparing artists to Michael Jackson
Leon answer about the crosses, was excellent. Didn't allow Vlad to create more nonsense and negative racial reactions.
VLAD,acts like he knows more about the person he is taking to,than the person. He hates to be wrong!!!!!!
Leon educating glad graciously
Without DAVID RUFFIN YALL AINT NOTHING.😆
Very real & humble. 💯
I think he was and the movie the Wanderers 1979.
Isn’t he A-List? Lol
Not really.
In the culture, yes.
What the hell is Vlad talking about there were no interracial relationships in 89, get real dude.
It definitely wasn’t accepted like it is now.
Lol...there were certainly interracial relationships in 1989...theres a gang of mixed babies from the 80's who are somewhere between the age of 30-40 now....I went to school with a bunch kids who weren't just black and white but black/latino and black/asian...you must be from the south🤣
@@eddiethomas1156 dude you've never been down south have you . there are plenty of interracial relationships down there. you date whoever you grow up around. it's as simple as that
@@dewayneperry8395my old man is from new orleans originally...I was saying it to old girl as joke because of her ridiculous comment...just playing up the old stereotype as a counter to her false statement...I'm mixed myself and was born in 1976...so for her to act as though interracial relationships weren't happening in the late 80s got a huge laugh out of me
He's so handsome
I bet leon got some from madonna. Hahaha
Pac did... and Snoop too, I believe. Rodman
What a handsome man!!! He's also a icon !!
Mike tyson was in the Women of Brewsters Place as an Extra
Oh I know the true meaning of those burning crosses.....nevermind imma keep my mouth shut!
There’s a particular message from this video and it was very controversial for its time! You have to come up with better questions than this!
I don't think anybody was neck-and-neck with Michael ever
Madonna
A great actor, a great man, and an awesome interview
The funny thing Jesus was black
Probably wasn’t. He was jewish. They look more arabic to me. He wasn’t black but he sure as heck wasn’t white.
He should have won a oscer for his david ruffin character!!!
It was a 4 hr mini series that appeared television over two nights. It didn’t qualify for an Oscar.
He meant an Emmy
@@CoCoBomB80 yeah you right!!👍👍👍
Lady : I think you need a woman to make you a good home cooked meal and make you smile
Shepherd : *Silence*
Lady : Aren't you gonna say suttin?
Shepherd : Why don't you get me some more water 😂😂😂😂😂
I miss when music videos told stories
Why does he say ‘you know’ like that 🤣
He's been eating fruity pebbles
I love that video. It's so provocative. I feel like Vlad tries to steer the interview the way he wants to see it. Thats kind of annoying
Leon looks as bored as hell and falling asleep at 5:19