Madonna chokes up on stage as she dedicates song to recently estranged son Rocco
By Ben Kelly
Madonna choked up on stage during her Rebel Heart show this weekend as she referenced her recent separation from son Rocco, and ensuing custody battle.
Performing on stage in Auckland, New Zealand, on Saturday (March 5), the singer took a brief pause in her set to speak to the audience, and mentioned her son.
“He’s actually 15, and it’s true, there is no love stronger than a mother for her son,” she said, as the crowd applauded.
“And, if I talk about it too much I might cry,” she added, with her voice breaking.
Madonna has had full time custody of Rocco since divorcing Guy Richie in 2008, although Rocco does see his father in London on holidays and other occasions. However, it was reported that while Madonna’s tour was stopped in London in December, Rocco left her and went to stay with his father in the city. He then refused to come back to her full time home in New York, and Madonna has been warring with Richie over returning their son ever since.
Madonna has been uncharacteristically sharing emotional photos and comments about the case on her social media.
She told fans on stage, “I would like to dedicate this song to him. It’s a love song for a man, but I know he’ll be one, one day. I hope he hears this somewhere and knows how much I miss him.”
She then performed a cover version of the Edith Piaf song ‘La Vie en Rose’, which has been part of her set throughout the tour.
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