Madonna stopped her “Celebration Tour” show at the Kaseya Center in Miami over the weekend to berate the venue’s production staff for keeping the air conditioning running.
According to several videos posted on social media, Madonna’s outburst came mid-show. Through several technical difficulties, Madonna’s frustrations peaked, and she eventually stopped the show and told the venue’s staff, “You don’t know how much I’ve been waiting for this whole fucking show. I am working my ass off, I deserve it. Respect me. The show will not go on until you respect me.”
Twitter account @MadonnaUltimate posted a clip of the outburst, and later wrote that the star 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.” The account claims that the call-out was spawned specifically from the venue blasting air conditioning, which Madonna is notably opposed to during her tours.
“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,” the account wrote, referring to the singer’s upcoming concert in Rio de Janeiro on May 4th, where she’ll perform the biggest show of her career. Watch the clip of Madonna’s rant below.
Though Madonna — who was hospitalized for a serious bacterial infection last year — is vehemently against air conditioning at her concerts, some fans pointed out that the venue was still very, very warm. “It was hot in there!!… I used my pizza box cover to fan myself,” wrote Instagram user @Mayleetravels. Twitter user @blondiee39 wrote, “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.”
It’s not the only time that Madonna has had AC issues in Miami. During a “Madame X Tour” stop at the Fillmore in 2019, fans began clamoring for Madonna to turn on the air. Miami New Times reported that “virtually no air conditioning could be felt in the building throughout the duration of the concert,” which led fans to chant “AC! AC! AC!” Madonna curtly responded, telling fans “Fuck you, I’m cold” and “Take off your clothes.” According to the singer, the high temperatures help offset the physical pain she’s experiencing while performing.
As for the “Celebration Tour” stop in Miami last weekend, Madonna concluded by telling the audience and venue staff, “I just want to thank everyone who honored my request to not have the AC on.” While it’s been an impressive, career-spanning run for Madonna — and a hot one (temperature-wise) at that — others haven’t warmed up to the show’s very, very late start time. Two attendees recently filed a class action lawsuit against the singer, alleging that the show’s delayed start and end caused legal harm and violated state law. Madonna and her legal team recently clapped back, saying that having “trouble getting a ride home” or needing “to wake up early the next day for work” are not cognizable injuries.
Madonna’s “Celebration Tour” continues with a handful of dates in Austin and Mexico City this month before her significant performance in Rio on May 4th. If you’re looking to see Madonna before the tour wraps — and don’t mind the heat or the 10:30pm start time — you can get tickets here.
“You don’t know how much I’ve been waiting for this whole fucking show. I am working my ass off, I deserve it. Respect me. The show will not go on until you respect me.” Madonna last night in Miami #MadonnaCelebrationTour pic.twitter.com/fFdbINE2id
— Madonna Ultimate (@MadonnaUltimate) April 7, 2024
