MADONNA ON NIGHTLINE

Madonna did a very revealing and in-depth interview from Cannes with ABC News's Cynthia McFadden, on tonight's episode of Nightline. Here are the highlights of the interview:

On Turning 50:
McFadden: Is it just a number? Most women will not say how much they weigh. My age doesn’t bother me. My weight I would never tell. Do you care about it as a number?
Madonna: If I didn’t feel good and wasn’t doing what I wanted to do with my life maybe that would bother me. But I feel good about what I’m doing. I feel like in a way it’s given me a feeling of accomplishment for living this long and to still be able to do what I want to do and feel as good as I do. It’s a blessing.
McFadden: Do you have a birthday wish?
Madonna: No. I don’t. I’m not thinking about my birthday? Why’s everyone rushing me over the finish line?
McFadden: Oh, because we have you here to torture.
Madonna: No, I’m not thinking about my birthday. I’m thinking about what I’m going to eat for dinner tonight. That’s my future plan.

On her looks:
Madonna: I don’t look at old pictures of myself.
McFadden: You don’t? From the old days?
Madonna: I don’t look at pictures of myself from last week. Once I’ve approved of them, they’re gone.
McFadden: So you don’t feel any competition with the Madonna of old?
Madonna: I like the way I look better now.
McFadden: What do you like better?
Madonna: My thighs aren’t as chubby. I’m not kidding. I’m being perfectly honest with you.
McFadden: You say in one of the lyrics on your new album, “I feel beautiful when I’m dancing.”
Madonna: Yeah, I have been dancing a lot lately. That’s probably why I like my thighs better.
McFadden: But do you feel beautiful the rest of the time too or not? How do you see yourself?
Madonna: I see myself as practical and handsome and useful. I don’t think of myself as a great beauty. But I think of myself as stylish.

On Working with Justin Timberlake and Pharell on her new album:
McFadden: You beat Elvis’ record. More songs in the top ten than any other…
Madonna: Yeah! That’s the record to beat.
McFadden: You hear something like that, and what do you think?
Madonna: Then I go back to work.
That’s my reaction. Not that I am going to rest on my laurels, but now I really have to do even better. I think that’s why I decided to do this record with Justin Timberlake, and Pharell. Because they have strong personalities. You could say they’re divas in their own right.
McFadden: You’re used to being the only diva on the premises.
Madonna: Well, like in the square footage.
McFadden: Well, in the recording studio?
Madonna: Yeah.
McFadden: Well what was it like to sit down and write with these guys who are divas of their own?
Madonna: Well, we all had our hiccups where we jockeyed for positions and we tried to get to know each other because song writing is a very intimate experience. I would say there were a few uncomfortable moments.
Madonna: But with Pharell, he actually made me cry. I’ve never told anyone that before. There. Out with it. Headlines [gesturing].
McFadden: Why did he make you cry?
Madonna: I don’t know. I think I was just having a bad day. You know when you’re not fine. You know sometimes when you just burst into tears for no reason?
McFadden: In front of him?
Madonna: I did right there in front of him.

On Adoption and her son David, whom she spotted in the arms of a young girl at an orphanage:
McFadden: Is that when you fell in love?
Madonna: The first time that I saw him [David], she was carrying him. And that was the moment when it all rack focused for me. ‘Oh my God, she’s 8 and she’s taking care of a six month old child and so first I was drawn to her. Where does she get her strength from? And then I was drawn to him and I started carrying him around for her. When I came back the next time, that’s when he was ill and that’s when I really knew that I had a connection to him.

On discovering Malawi:
Madonna: Well, I went to Malawi thinking I am going to save these people. I’m gonna build orphan care centers and come to their rescue. And I am going to do what I should be doing, sharing my experience, sharing my wealth with people who don’t. And I went there thinking well I don’t and we don’t. Because I don’t have that joy, that appreciation. I do in moments but not on a regular basis. I’ve never seen so much sort of tangible suffering, but I’ve never experienced so much joy and openness.