After being scrutinized for posting altered images of the likes of Nelson Mandela, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Bob Marley to social media resembling her own image for her Rebel Heart album cover, Madonna has responded to critics, saying that she is "not comparing" herself to these leaders, but is rather "admiring and acknowledging" them.

The album artwork features a closeup of the singer's face wrapped in thick black string. The "Like a Prayer" singer says that the photos were tweaked by "fans," not her, in an effort to promote her latest project, which leaked months in advance.

In a typo-filled statement issued to her Facebook page and emailed to Billboard, Madonna said, "I'm sorry. I'm not comparing my self to anyone. I'm admiring and acknowledging there (sic) Rebel Hearts. This is niether (sic) a crime or an insult or racist! I also did it with Michael jaclson (sic) and frida khalo (sic) and marilyn monroe. Am I say (sic) I am them, NO. I'm saying they are Rebel Hearts too."

Rebel Heart, Madonna's 13th studio album, is slated to drop on March 9, 2015.

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(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)