Make sure to tune into The Ellen Show tomorrow (Nov. 9th), Madonna is making an appearance (via satellite) to talk with Ellen Degeneres about bullying! Being gay and out in high school, I personally didn’t experience a lot of bullying (thank heavens) but I know that’s not the norm for many teenagers out there today, so raising awareness and creating dialogue is very important, especially in light of all the recent teen suicides. xo
Madonna on why she chose to speak out about bullying…
Ellen: I appreciate that you wanted to speak to this cause here because it is a very
important cause to me and I understand for you. So speak to us.
Madonna: Well, I just feel it would be incredible remiss of me to not say something.
I’m incredibly disturbed and saddened by the overwhelming number of teen suicides
that have been reported lately because of bullying. Suicide in general is
disturbing. Teenagers committing suicide is extremely disturbing but to hear that
teenagers are taking their lives because they are being bullied in schools and
dormitories, what have you, is kind of unfathomable. I know a number of people have
spoken out about it but I feel like I need to say something. The gay community has
been incredibly supportive of me. I wouldn’t have a career if it weren’t for the gay
community…I have a teenage daughter and I have ongoing discussions with her about
this topic so I feel like I need to say a few words…
Madonna on being bullied as a kid…
Ellen: Were you bullied as a kid? Did you feel different than other people when
you were younger?
Madonna: Yes, that’s an understatement. I still feel different. I can totally
relate to the idea of feeling isolated and alienated. I was incredibly lonely as a
child, as a teenager. I have to say I never felt like I fit in in school. I wasn’t
a jock. I wasn’t an intellectual. There was no group that I felt a part of. I
just felt like a weirdo…It wasn’t until my ballet teacher who was also gay took me
under his wing and introduced me to a community of artists of other unique
individuals who told me it was good and okay to be different and brought me to my
first gay disco and ironically made me feel I was part of the world and it was okay
to be different.
Madonna on how she talks to her kids about bullying…
Ellen: What do you say to your children, Madonna? You said you started having these
conversations when you talk about bullying. What do you say?
Madonna:..We talk a lot about the importance of not judging people who are
different. Not judging people who don’t fit into our expected view of what’s cool
and what isn’t. Think about it across the board. The concept that we are torturing
teenagers because they are gay. It’s kind of like I said earlier. It’s
unfathomable. It’s like lynching black people or Hitler exterminating Jews. Sorry
if I’m going on a rampage right now but this is America. The land of the free and
the home of the brave….
Madonna on a solution to bullying…and when she will be back in the recording
studio…
Madonna: I think it would be interesting for everybody to try one simple experiment.
If you want to talk about solutions or how can we solve this problem? Try to get
through the day each and everyone of us…without gossiping about somebody. Without
gossiping about anybody. And not only that. Not even listening to gossip. Walking
away from it. Can you imagine what your day would be like? How much more free time
you’d have? I also feel like you’d feel about better about yourself…
Ellen: I think it’s a good challenge. Just thinking that there is somebody on the
other end of that….Madonna, I think you’re an amazing woman and before I let you
go, when are we going to hear another album? We’re waiting for another album.
Madonna: Ellen, never let me go.
Ellen: I know you are finishing up a film right now…
Madonna: I’m editing it (her film) and as soon as I’m done. I’ve got to get my butt
in the studio and make some more music.
Ellen: We can’t wait.
PHOTO | MICHAEL ROZMAN / WARNER BROS.