Madonna Attacks Concert Staff Over AC: ‘Respect Me’
Music legend Madonna has berated her concert tour staff in front of thousands of fans.
The singer was performing her Celebration world tour in Miami but the show was plagued with technical issues prompting her to blast staff mid-show.
According to videos on social media, Madonna was having trouble with her singing voice at Saturday’s show because the air-conditioning was switched on too high, despite her repeated requests to have it turned down.
Social media users who were at the performance claimed the concert had been plagued with issues, with the singer becoming increasingly frustrated.
“You don’t know how much I’ve been waiting for this whole f****** show. I am working my ass off, I deserve it. Respect me. The show will not go on until you respect me,” she said in a video posted to fan X account, formerly Twitter, @Madonnaultimate.
The account also reported that she said: “I also work very hard, cause I am a mother, and I am artist. And I… am a Queen yes. I get really mad when people don’t care about my health. This is my 71st show. And I will keep going.”
Newsweek contacted Madonna’s representatives by email for comment.
Madonna: The Celebration Tour” hit 35 cities and hosted more than 71 shows in a concert spectacular that celebrated the singer’s more than 40-year career.
The fan account defended the singer’s outburst, pointing out she was playing her final show in Miami before preparing to end the tour with a free concert at the iconic Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil which is expected to attract a crowd of about 2 million people, according to Billboard.
“Madonna was upset last night in Miami due to technical issues happening at the show and also the AC being super cold which is affecting her voice ahead of the 2 million people show in Rio,” wrote @Madonnaultimate. “She is absolutely right. People should do their jobs, she does hers.
“Madonna is obviously not saying this to the Miami crowd. She is talking to her team and arena organizers and calling them out in front of the whole arena.”
Others on X agreed with @Madonnaultimate and shared their support for the “Material Girl” singer.
“She’s scared to get sick again, especially now before the Copacabana show. I don’t understand why these venues act so [ignorant] when this is a well known demand by [her] for years now,” wrote @MCiccone94.
Madonna was hospitalized in an Intensive Care Unit in June because of a “serious bacterial infection,” which forced her to delay the beginning of the Celebration tour.
Some on social media said the arena was very warm and too uncomfortable for fans on Saturday.
“Oh God yes she’s been known for not liking AC I remember how hot it was at the concert cuz she had the AC turned off where’s the consideration for her fans,” commented @Blondiee39.
And @peterca71045317 added: “I’m a lifelong fan but the recent behaviour on this tour calling out audience members and this incident is not cool. Just cancel the whole thing if you’re not into it. I saw the 2nd Houston show and she really didn’t seem into it, making stupid dog noises in the speech segment!”
The Celebration tour has not been without its highlights though, as Madonna finally joined forces with Australian pop princess, Kylie Minogue. Both have been in the music industry in since the 1980s and are fans of each other’s work, but had never collaborated until March.
Madonna brought Minogue on stage at her Inglewood, Los Angeles, concert and they performed a cover of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” followed by an a cappella version of Minogue’s hit “Can’t Get You Out of My Head.”