Madonna Ciccone

I think of myself as a performance artist. I hate being called a pop star. I hate that.

i won't be happy until i'm famous like God

Don’t just stand there, let’s get to it, Strike a pose, there’s nothing to it...

I am my own experiment. I am my own work of art.

No matter who you are, no matter what you did, no matter where you've come from, you can always change, become a better version of yourself.

I always felt like I was a freak when I was growing up and that there was something wrong with me because I couldn't fit in anywhere.

I sometimes think I was born to live up to my name. How could I be anything else but what I am having been named Madonna? I would either have ended up a nun or this.

We learn our lessons; we get hurt; we want revenge. Then we realize that actually, happiness and forgiving people is the best revenge.

I always thought I should be treated like a star.

Fame is a by-product. It's not a goal. What matters is loving your work and loving what you do

I'd like to think I am taking people on a journey; I am not just entertaining people, but giving them something to think about when they leave.

When you're 25, it's a little bit easier to be daring, especially if you are a pop star, because eccentric behavior is expected from you.

Why did I want to break all the rules? Because the rules didn’t make sense, that’s why

Fame is a form of misunderstanding.

When I came to New York it was the first time I'd ever taken a plane, the first time I'd ever gotten a taxi-cab, the first time for everything. And I came here with 35 dollars in my pocket. It was the bravest thing I'd ever done.

Being famous has changed a lot, because now there's so many outlets, between magazines, TV shows, and the Internet, for people to stalk and follow you. We created the monster.

I've always danced and exercised. I can't imagine not doing it. I'll be Martha Graham in my 90s doing contractions on the floor.

I have my work and my faith... If that's boring to some people, I can't tell you how much I don't care.

What else is there for me to conquer? Hopefully my ego. How will I know when I've succeeded? When I stop caring what anyone thinks.

I always wished that I could find someone as beautiful as you, but in the process I forgot that I was special too.

I have the same goal I've had ever since I was a girl: I want to rule the world.