Madonna was every inch the rock chick at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York for her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as she thanked supporters and those who said “I was talentless, that I was chubby, that I couldn't sing, that I was a one-hit wonder.”

The Queen of Pop coolly ruled over all Monday night at the Waldorf-Astoria as she entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in its 23rd annual induction ceremony. Wearing a black see-though dress, with tight black boots above her knees and that indefinable provocative smile of hers, Madonna was in her element.

She was introduced by “SexyBack” singer Justin Timberlake, who commented that she was unique. “The world is full of Madonna wannabes. I might have even dated a couple,” the 27-year-old said. “But there is truly only one Madonna.”

The two collaborated on Madonna’s coming album, “Hard Candy,” and they had stories to tell about their musical partnership. Timberlake recollected how one day he had arrived at the recording studio feeling ill when Madonna promptly asked him to remove his pants; she then gave him a vitamin shot to get his strength back.

Madonna was all smiles as she received her trophy and thanked all who had helped establish such a career: supporters and critics alike. She remembered a teacher who told her to follow her dreams when she was only 14 and said: “Thirty-five years later, people are still encouraging me to believe in my dreams. What more could I ask for?”

She then proceeded to thank her detractors: “The ones that said I was talentless, that I was chubby, that I couldn’t sing, that I was a one-hit wonder. They inspired me because they made me question myself repeatedly and pushed me to be better,” she said.

Madonna was joined on stage by fellow Michigan-born musician Iggy Pop, who sang “Burnin’ Up” and “Ray of Light” in his own punkish version.

Fellow inductees Monday night were Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen, who was introduced by Lou Reed; British band The Dave Clark Five, who were inducted by Tom Hanks; rocker John Mellencamp, whom Billy Joel paid tribute to; instrumental band The Ventures; and blues harmonica player Little Walter, inducted by Ben Harper.

Songwriters/producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff received the first Ahmet Ertegun Award, after the late founder of Atlantic Records and one of the founders of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The 2008 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performer inductees were chosen by the 600 voters of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. Artists are eligible for inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twenty-five years after their first recording is released.

Monday’s show was telecast live on VH1 Classic.