4 Things Fans May Not Know About Madonna

Although there have been clones and imitators of the Pop Queen, Madonna, no one comes close to the cultural impact she has achieved over the years. She has solely crafted the template for every other pop artist to follow with her innovations and creativity.

With 14 albums to her name, her reach and impact have transcended pop culture. Since Madonna's rise to stardom in the '80s, she has added filmmaker, author, businesswoman, and activist to her resume and has equally succeeded at each of them.

In an interview with USA Today in 1998, she disclosed that she was going through a journey of self-discovery. "I am not reinventing myself; I am going through layers and revealing myself. I am on a journey, an adventure that's constantly changing shape."

For maintenance of this level of success, Madonna has been reported to imbibe a great work ethic and has been said to have great dedication to her work.

Although fans are well acquainted with her hit songs, her work as a filmmaker, impressive acumen as an entrepreneur, and her status as an activist, here are other intricate things they can learn about the Queen of Pop.

Born and bred in Michigan, Madonna was an exceptional student at Rochester Adams High School. She was also a cheerleader at the same school.

As a result of this talent, she got accepted into the dance program at the University Of Michigan. She received a six-week scholarship to study dance with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in NYC.

She later dropped out in 1978 and skedaddled to New York City with nothing to her name but 35 dollars. While trying to fend for herself, Madonna tried out every job she could find.

This included and was not limited to being a waitress at Dunkin' Donuts. However, she was reportedly laid off after squirting jelly at a customer.

Another thing she tried her hands at was setting up a band. She launched "Breakfast Club" with musician Dan Gilroy, who she became friends with while touring Europe in 1979 and singer for French disco artist Patrick Hernandez. The duo lived together in an abandoned synagogue in Queens.

A year after, she left the band to form another. "Emmy," with her then beau, Stephen Bray. This caught the attention of a music producer who offered them an endorsement deal.

The singer is famous for having an intense work ethic. Arianne Philips, Madonna's long-standing stylist, shared her view on her boss' dedication to her work.

"She has been at the top of her game for more than 30 years; she has a very strong point of view," Phillips told Billboard. "Madonna also is a collaborator. She's always the hardest-working person on every set. Her work ethic is unparalleled. She really expects her collaborators to bring something to the plate."

Madonna's standards were towering, but she expected certain things from people, which had to be met. This attitude the Queen of Pop exuded led to an interview where an acquaintance offered warnings to reporters and fans alike.

"She smells fear, like a dog," someone explained to Rolling Stone, "so don't show it, even if you're feeling it."

In another interview, Madonna explained to an outlet that the secret to her success was constant practice. "I rehearse, and I rehearse, and I rehearse so when I do the show it's effortless and I create magic."

Throughout her career, Madonna has featured in 19 films. Her debut act was in a Broadway play "Speed-the-Plow," where she played the role of a secretary.

The play received many reactions, and according to the LA Times, her role was dismissed and downplayed by most critics.

Her lead role came in 1996, in the adaptation of "Evita," a musical. This won her a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy.

Despite all this, she's won nine Razzies. This included and wasn't exempted to the dubious honor of Worst Actress of the Century in 2000.

She depicted other roles, including Catman in "Batman Returns" and Rachel in "The Bodyguard."

In her forty years plus in Hollywood, Madonna has been married two times and shares several kids with her exes. Her first marriage was to Sean Penn from the year 1985 to 1989. She shares four kids with him, and their names aren't known to the public.

She later got into a relationship with Guy Ritchie from the year 2000 to 2008. She shares two kids with him, namely Rocco and David.

Before this, she had an affair with her trainer, Carlos Leon, from 1994 to 1997. The couple has a daughter between them, Lourdes.

At the moment, Madonna is in a relationship with her backup dancer, Ahlamalik Williams. They started dating three years ago and have been together ever since.