On Friday night, Madonna and a horde of adoring fans descended on the iconic Beacon Theater on Manhattan’s Upper West Side for the premiere of Confessions II – The Film. The screening was followed by a Q&A with the Queen of Pop herself, along with director duo TORSO, also known as David Toro and Solomon Chase.
Hosted by Anderson Cooper (who filled in for Jimmy Fallon at the last minute due to scheduling conflicts), the quartet’s conversations touched on everything from the films themselves to the creative process on set, before turning to Madonna’s fame and how it has evolved. Cooper used the topic of time to talk about the evolution of the audience, noting that all of the audience’s cell phones are locked in Yondol’s pouch and cannot be accessed until the event is over. Madonna explained that everyone has a new “permanent need” to record everything, which has changed the way we live. She acknowledges that this is the way things are now, but her personal feelings remain: “I came to this earth to be a doer, not a watcher.”
Coachella, where Madonna performed with Sabrina Carpenter, was her case study. She said the experience was fun, but also detailed how uncomfortable it was to see only a screen instead of a face in a sea of people. In her words, dance is a “deep tribal experience” that connects us with the universe and with others, in any form or among any group. But this truth is now tainted by the inability of everyone to enjoy the moment.
When asked if she had any parting words, she cut to the chase. “Put down your phone and connect.”
“Confessions II – The Film” will officially premiere on YouTube on June 8th, and Madonna’s next studio album “Confessions II” will be released on July 3rd via Warner Records. As for future plans, the singer hinted at some surprise appearances in the coming months, but remained silent on potential tour plans. So far, her next confirmed appearance is at the halftime show of the FIFA World Cup Finals on July 19th at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
