Originally posted by Reverie

Madonna's popularity and success is testament to the fact that she is without a doubt among the very best performers ever. Not sole best, but among.

A performer's job is to entertain the audience, and that is what Madonna does best. That is why her whole career she has been selling out stadiums and awing crowds.

You guys bring up criteria like she doesn't sing well or whatever. Yet all those millions of people Madonna has performed for did not care about that. You can't just make up your own definition of a performer to bring Madonna down. Fred Astaire and the Nicholas Brothers didn't sing, are they not performers? Ella or Barbra or Whitney didn't dance but they brought people to their feet when they performed. You don't have to meet every little criteria to perform for people.

I personally prefer Janet's work as a performer. I think she's a better dancer and has better music. But still.