WATCH: Madonna's Emotional Tribute to Bowie

The world is still reeling from the death of David Bowie this week, and it's hitting Madonna especially hard. The singer, performing in Houston Tuesday night, told her audience of the deep impact that the British rock star had on her art as well as his work breaking down gender barriers and setting the stage for transgender rights.

"He changed my life when I went to see him in concert in Detroit," she said. "He showed me it was OK to be different."

Madonna then performed one of Bowie's biggest hits, "Rebel Rebel" -- Madonna is in the midst of her Rebel Heart tour -- before asking the audience, "Whether it's OK to be different." "Hell yes," she responded. Watch below.