Graham Norton shed light on his exclusive interview with Madonna ahead of their special show and revealed what the music icon is really like both on and off camera
Madonna & Graham will see the singer open up about her life and career
Graham Norton has opened up what it was really like to spend time with Madonna for a world-exclusive special. The chat show host met the music icon in London’s Camden, the venue for the 67-year-old’s first ever UK gig back in 1983.
During the interview, the Frozen hitmaker reflected on her early days in New York, her relationship with the UK and her recent performance at Coachella, among many other career highlights.
The program also features special guests, including Madonna’s longtime collaborator Stuart Price. Together, they give Graham an exclusive look into Madonna’s new album, discussing the stories, inspirations and creative process behind the record.
Having interviewed the singer on several occasions over the years, the 63-year-old has gotten to know her professionally. Talking further BBC Radio 2’s Breakfast Show with Gary Davies reminded Graham of a particularly memorable live Q&A he hosted with Madonna in London.
“These fans had flown in from all over the world world for this Q&A and it was for the Madame X album. I think it came out that day and so many people in the audience wanted her to sign their tattoos,” he recalled.
According to Graham, Madonna responded by telling fans that she would only sign tattoos dedicated to her 2019 album. Much to his surprise, he said at least 20 audience members had already had such tattoos inked.
Asked by Gary if interviewing the music legend was “intimidating”, Graham admitted it was.
“Yeah, I mean, she’s one of those people, she doesn’t suffer fools, and so she’s pretty scary,” he revealed, adding that if she doesn’t like the line of questions or the person interviewing her, she’ll simply end the conversation.
“You know, she doesn’t want to play the game, I don’t think. I don’t know, I’ve never gotten to that point,” Graham added.
After Gary pointed out that Madonna clearly liked Graham, having returned for several interviews over the years, the presenter reflected on the time she also invited him on stage during her tour.
“Everything in me said no but I couldn’t, my 21-year-old self would have punched me in the face if I hadn’t said yes,” he laughed.
Graham said the moment consisted of “epic dad dancing”, which he described as “mortifying”, adding: “I can’t look back, but I enjoyed it at the time.”
Asked about the lead-up to the latest interview, the chat show host revealed that Madonna arrived with a “small core team” of people she has worked with for many years.
“She has these people who have just been with her the whole time,” he shared, mentioning a PR who has been with her since 1983.
“And once she’s in the building, it’s like, ‘We better get this done,’ because once the main event is here.
“And it was also a complicated recording because we did it in different areas, we did some on the dance floor, we did some (in a) little recording studio in Koko, so we talked to Stuart Price, who’s the legendary producer who did the first Confessions (on a dance floor) album, and then we’re in a little bar on top.”
Madonna and Graham airs tonight at 10.40pm on BBC One.
