Madonna teases Glastonbury 2027 and Kylie jealousy on Graham Norton
Madonna used her BBC One special Madonna & Graham to drop her strongest hint yet that Glastonbury 2027 could finally be the year she headlines Worthy Farm, while also confessing she was once jealous of Kylie Minogue over her ex-husband Guy Ritchie's crush. The near-hour interview aired on 26 June and is on BBC iPlayer.
The one-off programme, filmed at Koko in Camden where Madonna gave her first UK concert in 1983, arrives days before her 15th studio album Confessions II. For more on the fallout from star interviews, see our Celebrity Breaking News coverage.
Key Takeaways
- Madonna teased a bigger UK summer show in 2027, fuelling Glastonbury 2027 headline speculation after 2024 talks collapsed.
- She told Kylie Minogue she was jealous because Guy Ritchie had a crush on the Australian star.
- Kylie surprised viewers as a barmaid in a comedy skit, serving Madonna a grapefruit cocktail.
- Producer Stuart Price revealed the track One Step Away was improvised in a single vocal take.
- Reviews praised the Kylie moment as gay heaven, though The Times called Norton's questioning gushing.
Why did Madonna admit she was jealous of Kylie?
Kylie Minogue's surprise cameo was the interview's most talked-about moment. Posing as a barmaid, she served Madonna a grapefruit cocktail during a light-hearted skit at the top of the venue.
The reunion carried extra weight. It came 26 years after Madonna wore a bedazzled Kylie Minogue tank top at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Sweden, a gesture of solidarity that caught Kylie off guard.
There was no warning, Kylie recalled, adding she probably stopped shy of fainting when she saw the outfit. Madonna then made a candid admission to her fellow pop icon.
I was actually a little bit jealous of you, she told Kylie. Because she was so cute. I think my ex-husband at the time had a crush on her, and I was like, I'll never be as beautiful as Kylie.
Did Madonna hint she will headline Glastonbury 2027?
Madonna has never played Glastonbury, despite years of rumours. The BBC reported she was widely tipped to headline in 2024 before negotiations fell apart, leaving fans hoping she might finally reach the Pyramid Stage.
Discussing touring plans with Norton, Madonna said: I think I'll do promo tours for a while, then in the summertime something bigger. Norton replied: Oh, that sounds really exciting and good. I think I know what you're talking about.
When he asked whether the show would be in Britain, Madonna became coy. It could be, she said. Why do you have to know everything? The exchange has reignited Glastonbury 2027 buzz, though nothing is confirmed.
How did critics react to Madonna & Graham?
Beyond the headlines, reviewers focused on the tone of Norton's questioning. The Guardian described the atmosphere as gay heaven when Kylie arrived, capturing the fan euphoria of seeing two pop icons share the screen.
The Times struck a more sceptical note, with its review headlined on Norton appearing starstruck and gushing throughout the exchange. For a presenter who has built his brand on celebrity chat, the special leaned celebratory rather than confrontational.
What else did Madonna reveal about Confessions II?
The interview centred on Confessions II, billed as a spiritual sequel to 2005's Confessions on a Dance Floor. Long-time collaborator Stuart Price, who produced both records, joined Madonna to discuss the creative process.
Price revealed that One Step Away, which Madonna called a manifesto for the album, was written in a flash of light. As he played the instrumental, Madonna asked him to switch on the microphone and delivered the vocal in one stream of consciousness.
It's kind of like I get possessed, Madonna said of her writing process. The ideas come when I don't try too hard. Madonna & Graham is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.