UK DAILY STAR INTERVIEW

20 FEB 1998

Madonna has just jetted into Britain for one of her biggest live dates ever - performing her hot new single Frozen on the National lottery Show.

Only 150 guests will actually be inside the BBC Studio with her, but Madonna will pull a huge TV audience. Here Lee Harpin chats to Madonna about her new album, her life and the future.....

Many people had written you off, but the new album, Ray Of Light, sounds fresher than ever. How does Madonna manage to stay ahead of the pack ?

Well, I'm not actually sure that I've really grown up myself yet. Obviously you can't stay the same forever - and i don't think i';ve ever tried to. I just hope my music is a reflection of where i am in my life at the moment.

Drowned World, the first track on your new album, deals with fame. How has being famous treated you ?

Not that bad, actually ! There's the people I've met and the places I've been to. That's the good part about being famous.

What about the more negative aspects. You know, the one's that really annoy you ?

People feel like they know you and feel they have a right yo judge you once you've reached a certain level of success.

What about your love life - how has fame and all it's problems affected this ?

Fame can actually end up being a substitute for real love. I think in different times of my life it has actually gone on to be just that. But I don't think loneliness has anything to do with fame, everyone feels lonely from time to time.

How important has that world famous girl power slogan been to your career ?

I certainly believe in it, Yeah, of course, I believe in girl power, or i wouldn't be where i am today.

You could say you taught the Spice Girls a lesson or two in the girl power department ?

I suppose i am the original Spice Girl. But I'm a very big fan of Posh Spice. I like her the best.

How has your daughter Lourdes Marie affected your career ?

She's very very important to me. I named my daughter after the French village of healing. I've also written a song about her on my new album, a kind of lullaby called Little Star. It's a pure and simple love song to her.

Do you have any plans to have a little brother or sister for Lourdes ?

Yeah, I might. I feel I could quite easily jump from babies to my musical career again.

Your new image, especially your hair, is your most striking yet. Can you let us in on any secrets ?

I've sort of perfected the look of my hair when i get out of bed. I call it bed-hair. What i am walking around with is an improved version of my bed-hair !

What is your relationship with the dance idols the Prodigy. Didn't Liam Howlett turn down the chance to produce your new album ?

Yeah, but they had just finished their own record and it was sort of ridiclous question, because they then had that to promote and didn't have the time to work on mine.

Do you ever have regrets about choosing a career in music , because of all the publicity ?

No, I absolutely love what i do. There's no way I'd want to go back to selling doughnuts !