Madonna: ‘I Know That I Can Be Difficult to Work with’

Madonna is an “Unapologetic Bitch” when it comes to the high expectations she has for her backup dancers.

“I know that I can be difficult and demanding and push you, and sometimes my ego is out of control,” Madonna, 58, says in a sneak peek of her upcoming Showtime special, “but I am a Leo.”

In the new preview clip of her Madonna: Rebel Heart Tour documentary (premiering Dec. 9), the icon gives a behind-the-scenes look at her grueling backup dancer auditions, during which a slew of hopefuls learn choreographed routines and dish on what it’s like to perform for the queen of pop.

“She wants the best, and she wants people who work really hard,” one dancer asserts of his prospective boss.

Adds another: “She knows who’s slacking. You wanna work hard for her — you don’t wanna f— up.”
More than a million people turned out for the 82-city Rebel Heart World Tour, which kicked off in September 2015. After the tour wrapped and box office income was counted in March, it was announced Madonna has sold more than $1.31 billion in tickets, giving her the title of top grossing touring solo artist in the history of Billboard Boxscore. (She’s also the third highest-grossing touring act in history, after the Rolling Stones and U2.)

For continuing to maintain her legacy as a modern pop powerhouse, Madonna will be honored as Billboard‘s Woman of the Year next week in New York. But first, on Friday, she’ll host an evening of music in Miami at Art Basel, where she’ll be raising money for her Raising Malawi charity.