AceShowbiz -

People behind the 2016 Billboard Music Awards are sure they've chosen the right person to pay tribute to Prince during the upcoming event. Responding to online criticism that included a Change.org petition, the awards show's executive producer Mark Brocco defended decision to have Madonna do the honor.

"Listen, I think everybody is entitled to their opinion and everyone can have their own opinion, but I will say that we are honored and could not be more excited for Madonna to be on the show and to pay tribute to someone that was her friend and her peer and her colleague," Bracco said in an interview with The Associated Press earlier this week.

He went on to assure fans that the tribute's going to be "fantastic" and "really beautiful" though he refused to name the song Madge would perform. "It's going to be very, very intimate and very respectful, and I think it's something that is really going to pay tribute to Prince as the incredible, groundbreaking artist that he was and the influence that he had on music," he added.

Madonna isn't a strange choice to perform a tribute to Prince. She once collaborated with the Purple One for her 1989 album "Like a Prayer". The late singer played the guitar on "Like a Prayer", "Keep It Together" and "Act of Contrition" in addition to appearing with her on the single "Love Song".

However, fans agree that she shouldn't be "the main and only artist tributing Prince" at the BBMAs. "He is more than worthy of a better choice as a main performer," a fan who launched the Change.org petition argued. Those supporting the petition said that having Chaka Khan or Janelle Monae lead the Prince tribute would make much more sense.