At the core of the concepts in the video is a forbidden interracial love story. Madonna aimed for the 'Like a Prayer' music video to be the most challenging and provocative work yet of her career. 'Rolling Stone' listed 'Vogue' as the #2 music video of all time in 1999 second only to Michael Jackson's 'Thriller.'
The 'Vogue' music video received nine MTV Video Music Award nominations winning three awards. The choreography was designed by Karole Armitage who earned a Tony Award nomination for the choreography of the 2009 revival of the Broadway musical 'Hair.' What remained was a gorgeous and elegant tribute to the practice of voguing developed in the underground gay ballroom culture. MTV asked for it to be removed, but Madonna refused. Madonna generated controversy by wearing a lace blouse that seems to expose her breasts. 'Vogue' was filmed on an art deco themed set. Close-up poses echoed images of Hollywood stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, and Jean Harlow. Many of the scenes in the video are deliberate recreations of the classic black and white 1940s fashion photography work of Horst P. The clip was directed by David Fincher who would later become one of the most celebrated contemporary movie directors.
Many of the dancers also appeared with Madonna on her 'Blond Ambition' concert tour. Hundreds of dancers auditioned for the parts in Madonna's 'Vogue' music video.
