Carrie Ann Inaba Says ‘Very Strict’ Madonna Charged Dancers $100 a Minute for Being Late

Carrie Ann Inaba says that Madonna is a very punctual woman.

The Dancing with the stars judge, 55, appeared on Show Jennifer Hudson earlier this week and spoke about a period early in her career when she toured with Madonna, 65.

She used to be very strict, Inaba told host Jennifer Hudson. “She gave us one rule that I’m so grateful for. It was, for every minute you’re late, you have to pay her $100 out of your paycheck.”

As Hudson, 42, joked, “I’m not going to lie, I’d be broke because I’m always late,” Inaba addressed the “Material Girl” singer’s rule, saying, “I’m never late.”

“I’m always early, so much in fact, that I waste half the day … showing up too early,” she added.

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Carrie Ann Inaba, Madonna.

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40 and great! Celebrate 40 years of Madonna’s music with 40 iconic career moments

Despite the strict time rule, Inaba told Hudson that working for Madonna was a dream come true.

“He was, like, Michael [Jackson], the prince and Madonna at the time. Right?” Inaba said. “I came to Madonna’s tour and I was like, ‘That’s all I need!’ ”

Inaba added that after she finished touring with Madonna, she “retired” from dancing and went back to school.

“As a dancer, at 25 you’re kind of put out to pasture,” she joked.

Madonna.

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Madonna talks about her ‘Crazy Year’ on stage at the launch of her celebratory tour — and sings for Lourdes’ birthday

Earlier this month, Madonna kicked off her latest concert, the long-awaited Celebration Tour, at London’s O2 Arena.

With an electrifying two-hour set, the pop superstar opened the tour with “Nothing Really Matters,” before going on to perform more than 40 of her biggest hits, including “Like a Prayer,” “Crazy for You,” “Justify My Love” and “Ray of Light”.

The show also features other fun moments, including topless dancers, multiple costume changes and aerial stunts.

Madonna’s performance in London was the first stop on a 78-show world tour, which will take her from Europe to North America until April 2024, before closing where she first became a star: New York City.

“I’m excited to explore as many songs as possible in hopes of giving my fans the show they’ve been waiting for,” Madonna said in a press release when the Celebration Tour was first announced in January.

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Source: HIS Education