“Look, I’m fascinated by Madonna, as is the universe. I’ve had evenings with her. Nothing extensive, but little run-ins with her over the years, and she’s never been particularly… I’m on a weird part of her radar! I’m not quite a target, but I’m not a refuge either. Whatever.
We’ve never had a great thing. But I admire her tenacity, and some of her songs are great. But she’s been quite mean to me a couple of times. But it’s like, join the list.
With her, as with certain other celebrities of that magnitude, they have a real tunnel vision. At intimate things she just doesn’t acknowledge me, doesn’t really see me.
… There was one little incident where she may have held something against me slightly, because I worked with someone who used to work for her, and they ended up leaving her: some political thing.
I was ignored by her at a very small event where there were only a few people. It was just bizarre, and very rude in general. I’m not like that. You acknowledge everybody in the room, a little bit.”Rufus Wainwright speaking to Attitude about why Madonna doesn’t like him.
Related: Rufus Wainwright dishes on Judy, Gaga, and why he’ll never get Liza’s blessing
Rich85
Madonna is a c*nt, always has been and apparently always will be. Take my gay card away, but I’ve never given two shits about her or her music as I’ve never heard anything nice about her from friends in the industry. I don’t believe in rewarding artists who are shitty people with my money or support. I wish more insiders would speak out about artists who just are not kind or grateful so we can know who to turn away from and not waste any hard earned income on. As for Madonna, she’s never seemed more desperate and in need of attention.
abfab
You’re common and your view is a tired one. And Rufus dahling, you really need to get out into the world more. Who has this not happened to while at an affair, large or small? I think you’re special but she owes you nothing. Don’t be such a whiney, nasaly baby.
white-queer-african
I agree with you @Rich85. Madonna does not appeal to me at all. Never has, never will. My opinion, so f*ck anyone that disagrees with my opinion because they believe their opinion is worthy more than mine.
As for @abfab, cupcake you common for calling @Rich85 common. Look in the mirror sweetheart….oh forget it.
barryaksarben
I am with you 100%. She used us to get where she is while Cyndi actually does care about us and is a good person. Madonna is so tired
Nancy Joyzee
abfab you are a cliche a boring queer cliche. I can imagine smart people avoid you in social situations and must be drunk to stand next to you in conversation, UGH go away nasty queen.
mikhailmaui
Abfab, I have some news for you, Madonna is not a nice person. Never has been. I know several people who have dealt with her for years and trust me, Rufus is not being a whiney, nasaly baby. He is simply speaking the truth. When asked about her supposed feud with Madonna, Cher simply said “there is no feud, I invited her to my house when she was an up-and-coming singer and she was quite rude to all my guests”. But, the best part of all this is that Madonna would certainly never give you the time of day.
QueerGuy
AGREED! Never liked her. Who ever told that two-bit tramp she could sing had to be completely deaf. Auto-tune was a blessing for her. Her “suck-cess” is not talent…it’s her controversies. Time for MUDonna to crawl under a slimy rock and stay there…nothing’s wrong with being 62..unless you’re acting and dressing 17.
PollyDarton
Rufus: Show me, on this doll, where you were hurt.
abfab
Oh Polly! That’s too funny..love, Cup Cake.
southernway
Hilarious and yes appropriate to this article. If anyone has an unjustified ego it is Rufus Wainwright-my god what hubris in his opinion of his artistic talent – whiney and cringey at best and those two operas? Uh no, the Met turned him down for a reason. And, the performance of the opening of the Koch Theater at Lincoln Center? “That’s entertainment!” Uh, no.
Kinkslola
abfad darling, you make me want to upchuck a cupcake
barryaksarben
WHAT< SAYING HE HAS NO TALENT? HE writes his music she DOES not. she is so untalented it is pathetic. SHe is a whore. I saw her first and I mean first concert after she hit it big in Seattle. They had her as far away from the NYC press as the could get and were surprised when it went OK. She needed the voice lessons before filming Evita. She is a pop princess. PERIOD but he is an artist. Cant stand how so maby people dont even know the difference. ANd to come out so viciously when all he did was tell his experience with her and she didnt even come out that badly. She is and always be a BRAT
LumpyPillows
I like the concept of Rufus, I do not find him talented at all however. The fact he writes the songs the murders is irrelevant.
LumpyPillows
Perhaps she didn’t know who he is, many people don’t. While I think Madge can be a real diva, who knows if this was a burn or just not knowing/remembering who he is. I wouldn’t know him if I ran into him at a party, but then again that happens to me often – not recognizing famous people until being told who they are.
Fahd
Did Attitude or Queerty ask Madonna(‘s people) to comment on Wainwright’s take on things? Before judging either artist’s kindness/rudeness, I’d want to get the full story.
Also, is that “shade” when he says that he admires Madonna’s “tenacity”?
barryaksarben
what is shady about this? Is your worship of her so strong NO one can have a “meh” encounter with her. He didnt call her a monster. I will but he didnt. over the top insane fans are soooo boring
TimberWolf
Obviously, he is totally exaggerating, The Universe is not fascinated with old Madge, not many are but a few old groupies with spray on tan, layered in liniment . It is not secret old Madge is incredibly self centered with a rude and obnoxious serpent tongue. The old dominatrix long time forgot her humble beginnings as a waitress and Jellybean. Even in the late 80’s / 90’s she was tossed out of the NJ Meadowlands her behavior was atrocious. No surprise the Botox addict was rude and threw shade at her age, looking like a desperate aged porn star , her inflated ego gets her the attention she is so desperate for. Their ready for her close up Baby Jane
[email protected]
Rude. If you can’t say something nice best not to say anything at all.
CNY1983
i just saw hush hush sweet charlotte again, if madonna doesnt do a remake of HHSC or baby jane shes a fool. shes living it already. the only difference is baby jane ciccone has kids.
Den
In terms of talent, both vocal and as a critically acclaimed songwriter/instrumentalist/arranger Wainwright has it over Madonna hands down. In terms of marketability and showmanship Madonna has it over him (or had it over him in her heyday). Let’s not forget her training was as a dancer and her singing is at best “adequate”.
As for which one is the biggest diva (in the negative sense of the word), who knows? She is an historically important female entertainer folllowing the line of Sophie Tucker, Mae West, Bette Midler and others, making it easier for those who came after her to call the shots in their careers. He is carrying on the heritage of an important musical family. And they both present publicly as somewhat pissy and prissy.
QueerGuy
agreed!!
Sotzume
Madonna is a botoxed, face lifted old hag. She never had any talent, she was always a creature of the studio and in real life, she was horrible. She is clearly nuts, desperate to try and look young(which she DOESN’T!) and irrelevant as a singer/entertainer.
QueerGuy
absolutely
IanHunter
His attitude and the operas kinda soured me on him. Madonna is Madonna. She is your best friend one day and cut you completely out of her life the next.
barryaksarben
so two sides to every story – and his is as valid as any she has
RosemarysBaby
Ha! I have very little love for Madonna and her nonsense, but this queen has has a ridiculous amount of nerve. Rufus dated a friend of mine for a bit, so I’ve been in his presence several times, and he was never anything but superior and rude. Not just to me, but to 90% of the people around him. He’s a truly nasty human being.
lykeitiz
LOL. Madonna haters are so easy to trigger. All it takes is for Rufus-who? to say that Madonna maybe might have possibly given him side-eye one night at a party.
Get a life gurls – She wouldn’t have recognized you either.
QueerGuy
Get a life, gurl..She has no class, no dignity. She can dance, but Janet and Paula have it ALL over “Madge” ANYDAY! Like a virgin…touched for the very first time…for the very first time TODAY…pity the poor soul who has to rinse out THAT lingerie! ?
michaelf7466
Rufus should be careful of what he criticizes. He was the guest at a fundraiser for an organization of which I was the leader. He was introduced to me and acted like it was painful to say hi to me or even crack a smile. I was so excited to meet him and have him perform a song for us. After that, I am no longer a fan.
Jack
Madonna just phoned Mariah Carey to ask Mariah to say “I don’t know her” about Rufus Wainwright. That’s how important Rufus is. Rufus, girl. All the way BYE.
[email protected]
I have loved her since I first saw/heard her. Is she a nice person? I don’t know. What I do know she is a hard working woman and has earned her place in history. She does write her songs , produced her albums and continues to be relevant. I like Rufus as well love his talent and his music. Was she rude to him probably-why would he lie? Sounds like the room was too small for two divas to me.
abfab
Are we done yet. Oy.
ggreen
Mr. Wainwright doesn’t really sing he blows his breath over some notes that are within his limited range. He has a lot more in common with Florence Foster Jenkins that you might think. Does Madonna have to know and kiss the ass of every B lister?
Jim
Enough about this has been
CNY1983
first of all, one question: when rufus had that meth addiction does he remember being a bitch to anyone or was he too preoccupied getting spit-roasted to remember?
we didnt forget that, roof.
i saw him in Boston on the waterfront, he was signing autographs but would not personalize them, just his name so people walked away. it was a free concert by the way.
Gay Thomas
Everyone has opinions about Madonna, some of us like her and her music, some of us don’t.
No need to be a rude-ass Trumper Karen about it. Embrace your “family’s” right to their opinions.
ScottOnEarth
No matter if you like her music or not, the objective truth is that Madonna has always been known to be a horrible human being. Selfish, epically-narcissistic, unkind, a major cheapskate, etc. Her act of “Living for Love,” “Finally Enough Love,” is really ridiculous because everyone in her life is on her payroll, including her boyfriends. She doesn’t know what true love is and, now look at her – messed-up face, forgettable music, a public joke and forever single.