Thursday 16th March will be seven years since I was Madonna’s chosen Unapologetic Bitch in Brisbane. If you’re reading this and wondering what an unapologetic bitch is, apart from what both unapologetic and bitch both mean, it was the part of Madonna‘s Rebel Heart concert where in the song with the same title, Madonna chose an audience member to join her to perform on stage. Happy to add this honour to my resume- onstage with the most successful female entertainer in history.
When it was announced that Madonna would be touring Australia for the first time since 1993, not only did my social media pages blow up, so did that part of my brain that started to think about what I would even wear to the concert, let alone the daunting process of securing tickets. I posted on Facebook that I was looking for someone to help me make a costume to wear to see Madonna live- I mean, it’s not like I was going to wear just any old outfit. It was my intention to be noticed, so I chose to wear a replica costume that Madonna wore when she subsequently chose me. My dear friend Amish, recommended that I contact somebody that he knew that would be able to help me. Coincidentally her name was Ariane, which is the same name as Madonna’s own costume stylist, so from the outset, I had a good feeling that it was just meant to be. I met with “my” Ariane and we put together a plan to replicate the costume. From sketches, to choosing the rhinestones and multiple fittings, anyone would have thought it was my own tour I was prepping for!
Both of my social media accounts Material Girl PR and Madonna Australia were inundated with media and fan enquiries alike. I was fortunate to be connected with multiple radio newspaper and online interviews to discuss the forthcoming tour. I was also fortunate to have won a ticket to Madonna‘s private show Tears of a Clown, which was my first opportunity to wear my costume. I thought it would be a good little strategy to debut my costume at this show and then of course to wear it to both the Melbourne and Brisbane shows that I had secured tickets for- I mean, after the cost of the ticket prices I milked that costume, let me tell you! That was definitely one of my better decisions in life- I was recognised from social media, made friends that I’m still friends with to this day and really did enjoy the opportunity to celebrate Madonna with like-minded fans.
I was beyond excited to have met Tony Villanueva, Madonna’s personal wardrobe dresser (pictured right) and cherry on the Madonna (American) pie, her long- time manager and industry icon, Guy Oseary (pictured left) at the Tears of a Clown show. It was then time to take my leotard, fishnets and rhinestones to both Rod Laver Arena and the Brisbane Entertainment Centre…
FACEBOOK Q & A
What was the first thing that went through your mind when you knew for sure you were going to be the Unapologetic Bitch?
Don’t stuff this up.. show her why you love her!
I’m keen to hear what that moment meant to you then - and now, looking back on the impact it has had on your life
I feel like you can’t even wish to be onstage with your favourite artist- I always thought that if I was to meet Madonna, it would be with a stalking selfie! To have the experience that I did and have so many people happy for me was heart-warming. I have named my PR business Material Girl PR so to have a photo onstage with the Material Girl herself is all I could ask for and the ultimate branding statement.
Talk about what happened backstage too
Are you Matt? Are you running it well? Haha! When I was taken backstage, I was seated and Madonna’s assistant instructed hair and make up to make me look like M which is why our hair is pretty similar in the photos. My make up was already done so I was touched up, briefed and Madonna’s stylist asked if I could booty pop which I took as asking me if I could dance- I am pretty sure I said something like "I have been booty popping all my life!" Then Madonna’s bodyguard walked me through the crowd and I was taken to the area at the end of the catwalk, which is why it looks like I am entering from the side of the stage in the video. I was told that I would be counted in from 10 to 1 and to take the hands of the two dancers who would reach out for me. I was in a ready set go running position, crouching in my costume, hidden from the audience. My rhinestones were sticking to my fishnets which I was raging about! And I can still see those damn holes in the metal stairs which I feared my heel would get stuck in, so I tipped toed up those stairs, and off I went!
Tell us about the prep and planning that went into the costume, please.
Hi Marcin! Check out my notes above. The costume I chose was my favourite from the tour and I thought the most ideal to wear to get noticed. I still have it in the box that Ariane gave it to me in 😊
What’s the feeling of being on a stage with tens of thousands of people watching you?
The adrenaline was something I have never felt before- I didn’t have time to be nervous- it’s still such a shock to me!
What were you feeling in the moment of being able to touch Madonna, hug her, talk to her, and just be present with her?
When I was in the moment to actually look at her I kept on thinking- this is actually HER! There are those eyebrows and eyes that have been on my bedroom walls for 30 years! Those sparkly eyes and signature lipstick! I thought no one is going to believe that this happened- then I went back to my seat and got my phone back from Matt who was with me and yep, the twitter tags and text messages had started.. it happened alright!
Where you given a picture or something to remember it by from the team? Besides the banana of course!
Nothing official although I was included in the DVD and the credits which was fab
Sonja Hayes-Powers
Did you know it was happening beforehand? How did that all work?
No, I didn’t know. Probably half way through Material Girl, two songs before, I noticed a few personnel crowding in front of me. I was in the front row- I noticed her bodyguard, extra security, Guy O and then Sera, Madonna’s assistant, armed with a clip board. Sera asked if I was Nicole and I pretty much had an outer body experience from that point on! It was really difficult to hear Sera over the music so when she asked me to meet her at the end of my row I asked her to repeat herself so I could lip read her reply. She told me Madonna would love for me to be onstage with her and then took me backstage!
What happened after you were on stage? With you and how did you feel? But also did you talk to other crew members? Did you see Madonna after the performance?
At the end of the performance I went down the elevator drop into the area under the stage- I was in so much shock! I did see the wardrobe, hair and makeup crew and some of the dancers who were scrambling around Madonna as she made a quick change for Holiday. I was in a hurry to find Guy O and get back to my seat to see the end of the show- Madonna’s bodyguard took me back to my seat and I must have rugby tackled and hugged Guy O on the way.. Not sorry Guy!
Hi Nicole.
Did Madonna really hug you with love?
I’ll go with yes- let’s be honest if Madonna doesn’t like you, you know!
How were you chosen? Was it by random, did someone from their team approach you? If yes, who did? Did you still get to see the last performance in your seat which is Holiday?
Probably half way through Material Girl, two songs before, I noticed a few personnel crowding in front of me. I was in the front row- I noticed her body guard, extra security, Guy O and then Sera, Madonna’s assistant, armed with a clip board. Sera asked if I was Nicole and I pretty much had an outer body experience from that point on! I made it just in time for Holiday and I can confirm that she noticed me back in my seat and that was a lottttttt for me too!
Hi Nicole, the banana flask, did you get to keep it? x
I sure did- it has her red lipstick on it! I've included photos at the end of this post 🍌
Was there alcohol in the banana ?
How were you chosen and were there any rules?
What did you see backstage?
Tell us every detail!
There was Malibu in the decanter! There’s still some in there. I was briefed to not grab her and just be myself. Backstage was like a world of its own- it’s like there was a bunker under the stage! I remember seeing the “horns” from Living for Love and it reminded me of being backstage at a theatre show. A fabulous commotion of costumes and buzz.
Weird but not so weird question- Unapologetic is nearing the end of the show so….How does she smell? Truth or Dare perfume?
I know she gotta smell amazing
Haha I often get asked this- she smelt royal!
How long did you have from when you were chosen and being up there?
What does the Queen look like up that close?
I was chosen half way through Material Girl so maybe 10 minutes before I went up. She looks like just as I imagined her- make up was perfect and those eyes and brows- I mean we have been looking at them all our lives and there they were!
Is she really as tiny as everyone says..?
She is- I had to crouch over if you notice in the pics where we are hugging and we are wearing heels. I felt like a giant next to her! She was in great shape and sooo ripped.
I'd love to know all the do's and don't's they mentioned prior, outside of going through what would happen.
I was briefed to not grab her and just be myself. I was encouraged to dance and go with the lead of the dancers. Me in my head- yep sounds good! I didn’t want to embarrass myself or heaven forbid have her mock me- I would never recover! So, when I heard her say "it’s like looking in the mirror" when she saw me, I thought to myself bitch, you better nail this and show her what she’s taught you all these years- be unapologetic!
BACKSTAGE: ROB SCHEPPY, MADONNA'S AWARD WINNING STYLIST MADONNAFIED MY HAIR
will.james
Other than that one night have you ever had any interactions with Madonna?
I haven't.. not yet anyway!
imperiomadonna
Is Madonna smelly?
Um... no! Rather royal, I would say
serenity_jones007
What did her energy feel like so close?
I did feel that she was very kind and playful with me- I am thankful that it was so fun and energetic.
kiwi_dion
Tell us every detail of exactly what happened
Hope I have done my best in the answers above!
joeadic
How did Madonna smell
ROYAL
rustytowers
Did you get to speak to M backstage after the song finished?
I didn't get to speak to her- I could see her surrounded by crew getting ready for Holiday- that was amazing to see!
MEDIA FUN
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS:
WATCH ME ONSTAGE WITH MADONNA
MADONNA FAMILY PHOTO GALLERY
The banana decanter I received is made from glass and is covered in diamantés.
It still has Madonna's red 💋 and has some Malibu- type alcohol in it.
Thank you to everyone who has sent me photos and videos over the years- credits to Jason Wilson, Beatrice, Owen Lambourn, Matt and anyone else who was kind enough to share content and their happiness with me.
Thank you to Matt, Daniel & Alminka for always having my back and before this starts to sound like a cringe fest Oscars speech, thank you to my immediate circle of friends who continue to celebrate this experience with me!
Hey Madonna & Guy O- maybe you could give me that job in the production office that Madonna mentioned? DM me!
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