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The Fabulous Choreography of Madonna's 1990 'Vogue'

A woman in a white, ornate gown with a large, elaborate headdress is surrounded by dancers in period costumes.

There was no bigger female star in the 80s and 90s than Madonna. She captivated audiences with her pop hits and racy videos. When she took the stage at MTV’s Video Music Awards in 1990, she didn’t disappoint!

A woman in an elaborate, cream-colored, historical gown with a large, ornate headdress stands center stage.

Madonna performed her hit song ‘Vogue,’ in front of a national TV audience and a live crowd at the VMA’s. Madonna and her dance crew looked the part as they wore gowns inspired by the 1988 film ‘Dangerous Liaisons.’

The 18th-century French costuming and set design made the performance even more unique. Madonna was joined on stage by many dancers and a couple of backup singers.

Madonna in elaborate costume with fans, surrounded by dancers in pink dresses.

The song appeared on Madonna’s soundtrack album ‘I’m Breathless’ from the movie ‘Dick Tracy.’ The song set trends in dance music for the 1990s and was one of Madonna’s career highlights.

The Recording Industry Association of America certified the song double platinum. It was the first single by a female artist to earn the certification. ‘Vogue’ became the best-selling single of 1990, selling over 6 million copies.

A person in a historical costume with elaborate hair and jewelry, holding a fan.

Madonna was nicknamed the ‘Queen of Pop,’ in reference to Michael Jackson’s ‘King of Pop’ moniker. Her music garnered critical praise and also controversy. After moving to New York City in 1978 to pursue modern dance, she hit it big with her debut album in 1983 titled, ‘Madonna.’

Madonna’s other hits include ‘Like a Virgin,’ ‘La Isla Bonita,’ ‘Like a Prayer,’ and ‘Papa Don’t Preach.’ She is one of the biggest female stars of all time, with record sales ranking among the top 5. Her iconic look and style were copied for over a decade, and she left her mark on pop culture.