MADONNA SAYS WORKING WITH DAUGHTER LOURDES HELPED HEAL LONGSTANDING RESENTMENT. (PHOTO).

 Madonna Says Working With Daughter Lourdes Helped Heal Longstanding Resentment

Madonna has spoken about her working relationship with her eldest daughter, Lourdes Leon, saying a recent musical collaboration gave them an opportunity to address feelings that had built up over the years.

Speaking during The Madonna and Graham Show on the BBC, the singer said Lourdes, who also goes by Lola, had previously been reluctant to work with her because she wanted to establish her own identity.

"She approached me, she's been very reticent to work with me," Madonna said. "She doesn't want to be perceived as my daughter, taking advantage of her privilege."

The pair recently collaborated on Madonna's new release, Confessions On A Dancefloor: Part II. According to the singer, the project marked a change in their relationship.

Madonna said Lourdes later told her she had realised she had been holding onto emotions from her younger years.

"Maybe it's a kind of, I want to say anger, what's another word, maybe resentment?" Madonna recalled. "At the end of the day, she didn't ask for this."

She said Lourdes had struggled with those feelings during her adolescence before suggesting they write a song together.

"So she came to me and said, 'Let's write a song together. I think it will be a very healing experience. You say exactly what you want to say and I will say exactly what I want to say.' And I was like, 'OK, you're on, let's do it.' I was so happy."

Madonna also praised her daughter's musical ability, saying, "She's a great songwriter and has a much better voice than I do. Her lyrics are beautiful."

During the interview, host Graham Norton asked whether working together felt like collaborating with another professional or sharing a proud moment as a mother.

Madonna replied that it was "kind of neither," explaining that she has always respected Lourdes' decision to work at her own pace.

Lourdes, 29, is Madonna's daughter with former partner Carlos Leon. A graduate of New York's LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts, she has pursued acting, singing and dancing.

In a 2021 interview with Vogue, Lourdes said she wanted to be recognised for her own work.

"People think I'm this talentless rich kid who's had everything given to her, but I'm not," she said.