A letter written by Madonna in which she slams both Whitney Houston and Sharon Stone is up for sale in the U.S this month.
The handwritten letter is expected to sell for up to $5,000 when it comes up for auction with music memorabilia specialists Gotta Have Rock and Roll.
The private letter dates from the early 1990s, and is addressed to "J" – believed to be actor John Enos, with whom Madonna shared a brief relationship.
It originates from the collection of Darlene Lutz, Madonna’s former art dealer, who was close friends with the star for more than 20 years.
In the letter, Madonna reveals that despite her success, she still feels hurt and persecuted by public criticism:
"Up until now I always felt like I was unstoppable and could do what I liked. I never thought twice. Now I have made so many people angry that I’m being punished and basically made to be quiet and sit in a corner, whole other less interesting and exciting people are reaping the benefits of the roads I’ve paved."
She also rails against comparisons to two of the era’s most famous performers, singer Whitney Houston and actress Sharon Stone:
"It’s so unequivocally frustrating to read that Whitney Houston has the music career I wish I had and Sharon Stone has the film career I’ll never have.
"Not because I want to be these women because I’d rather die, but they’re so horribly mediocre and they’re always being held up as paragons of virtue and some sort of measuring stick to humiliate me."
Madonna also suggests that her work is too provocative and edgy for mainstream America, and that the constant battle against her critics is taking an emotional toll:
"Television has ruined America now everything has to be as bland. Nothing can be a departure…I feel so discouraged. I was born in the wrong place and time and probably the wrong sex!"
"…now I can’t stop fighting because I feel I’ve lost the fight…I feel I have no career, no family, nothing permanent or tangible, my outlook on life is black black black…"
She ends the letter by explaining what she can’t date "J" anymore, and signs it with her middle name ‘Louise’.
"I’m no good for you or anyone else right now. I have to regain my sense of power and my joy for living. Do you understand what I’m saying?"
