Rebel Heart Tour diary - North America 2016

Spanish Lesson at final American shows

San Juan - 27/28 Jan. 2016

Madonna wrapped up her American tour with two nights in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

On Wednesday, she performed the Dress You Up medley and Spanish Lesson. On Thursday she skipped the medley, but sang Who's That Girl and Spanish Lesson.

The first night, Puerto Rican fan Franky was the lucky one to be picked as Unapologetic Bitch.

󾁐󾁐󾁐󾁐 #unapologeticbanana #unapologeticboy #madonna #rebelhearttour
Posted by Franky Quintana Aviles on Thursday, 28 January 2016

On the second night, Madonna went for a female threesome: both Oxana and Alyssa were invited on stage and and got to grind and hump Madonna until all 3 ended up on a pile on the floor.

Madonna brings Ariana Grande and DJ Khaled on stage

Miami - 24 Jan. 2016

On the second and final night, Miami got another song premiere in the request section. Just like the night before, it was a gift to the latino community: Spanish Lesson.

Last night's Unapologetic Bitch was Ariana Grande. When Madonna asked Ariana if she got her stage name from her favourite drink, the teen idol cheekily replied with the American Life rap: "...a soy latte, I get a double shoté".

The screen behind Madonna and Ariana had some technical difficulties. During their chat it already showed part of the "Bye Bitches" message.

Ariana wasn't the only celebrity guest on stage last night. Before Unapologetic Bitch, there was only one of her regular dancers, while the other's place was taken by DJ Khaled, who brought Madonna some bling and cash as she was singing Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend. He got rewarded with a kiss by M, which he later proudly showed off on his Instagram.

Madonna debutes Don't Cry For Me Argentina in Miami

Miami - 23 Jan. 2016

Once poised as opening city, Miami finally got its share of Rebel Heart love. Among the many celebrities present were Naomi Campbell, Gloria Estefan, Rosie O'Donnell, Jellybean Benitez, and Sam Smith.

After performing the Dress You Up medley and Who's That Girl, she gave a treat to the many latino fans in Miami: she performed Don't Cry For Me Argentina for the first time on this tour.

As 'pussy interlude' during the Music performance, she played La Cucaracha.

And the Unapologetic... guest was her lovely daughter Mercy James, who celebrated her 10th birthday (on Friday). Her gift was a cupcake with a birthday candle, as the crowd cerenaded her with Happy Birthday. Madonna also offered Mercy her necklace but joked she could only borrow it.

Atlanta gets Ghosttown and Secret

Atlanta - 20 Jan. 2016

As one of three cities that got their Rebel Heart show postponed, Atlanta fans had to wait more than 4 months to see their idol. But yesterday the day had finally come. Though fans had to test their patience a bit longer, as the show started only at 11pm.

Unfortunately, Madonna went for the shorter version of her setlist, kicking out the medley and Who's That Girl. She compensated with Ghosttown and Secret.

Nashville gets some Beautiful Stranger and Ring On Fire

Nashville - 18 Jan. 2016

In Nashville, Madonna hit back once more at the fake TMZ rumours. "I know there've been reports of me falling down and drunk on stage. What?! I wish I could dance on 6 inch heels and be drunk... One day!

In her speech she referred to Martin Luther King and his fight for freedom. She also told an anecdote of a woman who asked her to choose between being an artist or an activist but Madonna replied "What the fuck are you talking about? That's what being an artist is! We shape the world around us, we reflect the world around us, we inspire the world around us... That is our fucking job! So... don't ever tell me to stop" Which was the bridge to... Don't Tell Me.

During the 'pussy play' in Music, Madonna did an extensive sample of Johnny Cash's 'Ring On Fire'. Afterwards she gave herself an "A for effort".

Another song, that hasn't been heard in a long while, made its way into the set, at least as a short sample before Unapologetic Bitch, when she sang some lines of Beautiful Stranger.

Madonna hits back at TMZ rumours

Louisville - 16 Jan. 2016

The Dress You Up medley was back in Louisville. She then hinted at singing Who's That Girl but didn't seem in the mood to actually perform it.

During her speech she talked about how we need a prayer in these dark times, which was the bridge to the request song Like A Prayer.

After the show, some nasty trash journalist from TMZ reported that Madonna was drunk on stage and got people offended. Madonna hit back on Instagram:

For those people who like to believe all they read i never drink and perform!!! My show is 2 hours and 15 minutes of non stop singing and dancing. In Louisville I made a joke about doing a stand comedy act dressed as a clown and being able to drink alcohol. It's so very interesting how society continues to not only treat me in a totally sexist way (if i a were a man no one would have said a thing) and also continue to take everything i say literally! That's what happens when people don't read books and get all information from TMZ.

Material Man steals the show in Tulsa

Tulsa - 14 Jan. 2016

At her very first concert in Oklahoma, Madonna spoke of a flu epidemic making rounds, which almost caused her to cancel. But fortunately for the Tulsa fans, she didn't.

She did cut out the flamenco medley. Instead she performed Don't Tell Me combining her La Isla Bonita outfit with a cowboy hat.

A big guy, wearing the famous pink Material Girl dress was brought on stage as Unapologetic Bitch.

Before Unapologetic Bitch, Madonna led the crowd into a longer singalong with 'Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend'.

Madonna pays tribute to 'Rebel Rebel' Bowie

Houston - 12 Jan. 2016

At her Houston show Madonna paid tribute to David Bowie, who passed away on Sunday. Very fitting, Madonna chose to cover Bowie's song Rebel Rebel. In her speech she called Bowie "the first 'rebel heart' that I laid eyes on."

"He was one of the geniuses in the music industry, one of the greatest singer-songwriters of the 20th century and he changed my life when I went to see him in concert in Detroit. He showed me that it was OK to be different."

Unapologetic Bitch Mark tells his story

San Antonio - 10 Jan. 2016

Last night, Madonna kicked off her tour in the Southern states. San Antonio got treated to Frozen as request song.

The Unapologetic Bitch was Mark, who shared his story with us:

So last night in San Antonio was AMAZING!!! Jerry and I were sitting front row near the tip of the heart and we had a spectacular view. First Madonna asked me for my cowboy hat at the beginning of Like a Virgin. She walked up to me and gestured that she wanted the hat and she mouthed the words "don't worry I'll give it back". I gave it to her and she put it on her head and danced with it for a minute then threw it back to me. There was lots of eye contact and energy throughout, especially during Frozen when she came up to me and sang looking right at me which was chilling.

I would've never guessed what would happen next...so for anyone wondering, if you're going to be selected as the night's Unapologtic Bitch, they let you know during the Illuminati interlude. First a guy from inside the stage walked right up to me and said "excuse me, someone from Madonna's staff would like to speak with you. Can you please go to the back of the arena near the sound booth to speak with them. My heart dropped because I knew what that meant. I couldn't believe it!!! So I went back there and Madonna's assistant Sara introduced herself and asked if I'm familiar with the routine for UB and would I be interested in going up on stage with M for the routine. Um, Yeah!!! She then said ok I don't want you to miss the rest of the show so why don't you enjoy the rest and come back during La Vie en Rose and I'll see you then.

So I left to the restroom to collect myself and I was totally shaking. When I came back Sara was there and she went over the routine, explained when I would go up, dance a little, bend over to get spanked/humped/kicked by M, Madonna would grab my arm and go to the main stage, turn around twice, flip off the camera once (if you're comfortable with that), dance more on the main stage and then talk with Madonna. 😳 No pressure. So right at the end of La Vie en Rose a security staff member and Sara escort me to the side staircase near the left side of the heart stage and she told me to kneel down until Madonna gets there. Sara said to have fun, and before I knew it I was on stage.

She teased me a lot for not not being from Texas and then I got my banana🍌🍌🍌

Such an unbelievable experience! Thank you to Robert Patterson who took these pictures.

Mexican crowd sings Cielito Lindo for Madonna

Mexico City - 7 Jan. 2016

Madonna continued her ode to Frida Kahlo on her second night in Mexico City. Wearing a Kahlo jacket over het flamenco dress, she sang Like A Prayer.

During her speech, the Mexican crowd surprised Madonna by singing the traditional Mexican song "Cielito Lindo" to her.

☀ ¡Ay, ay, ay, ay! ¡Canta y no llores! ¡Porque cantando se alegran, Cielito Lindo, los corazones!🌐 Mexican crowd sings traditional mexican song "Cielito Lindo" to #Madonna in Mexico City!#RebelHeartTour #Mexico
Posted by Madonna City on Saturday, 9 January 2016

She chose Oscar, another muscle queen, as the night's Unapologetic Bitch.

Mexico City, Jan 7. #rebelhearttour ❤️ and his name was Oscar... No comments.
Posted by Jose Cuevas on Saturday, 9 January 2016

Emotional Madonna in Mexico: "I too go through challenging times"

Mexico City - 6 Jan. 2016

Madonna kicked off the third leg of the Rebel Heart Tour in Mexico City. Though she looked happy and energetic, she showed her vulnerable side during an emotional speech.

"You can't imagine how grateful I am. Not just for tonight but for over 3 decades, you have been there for me. Muchas gracias! You are what makes this possible for me."

After the crowd chanted "Madonna!" many times, she emotionally continued, seemingly referring to the painful custody battle she's going through these days.

"We all go through challenging times in our lives. That includes me. I too go through challenging times in my life. Right now is one of them. Sometimes I think I can't do a show. I don't have the energy, I don't have the strength...

But then I come here and I see your faces, I look at your eyes, I see so much energy... YOU are Rebel Hearts! And I feel your heart beating with mine."

Gracias-Lagrimas-Rebel Heart from Raulyn Jimenez on Vimeo.

After the medley and Who's That Girl, she sang Ghosttown as request song.

The Unapologetic Bitch was Frida Odette. Afterwards Madonna instagrammed: "I always wanted to share the stage with Frida My Hero", referring of course to her idol and Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.

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