Last night, Madonna premiered the accompanying visuals to her upcoming album Confessions II at New York’s Beacon Theater, as part of the Tribeca Film Festival. The ten-or-so minute film includes pieces of the album’s first six songs: “I Feel So Free,” “Good for the Soul,” “One Step Away,” “Bring Your Love (with Sabrina Carpenter),” “Danceteria,” and “Read My Lips.” The film will be released on June 8th via YouTube, and the full album is out July 3rd.  

The rapid-fire, star-studded Confessions II film follows Madonna through different scenes. She’s chased by a SWAT team armed with cameras, dodges lasers coming out of “every orifice” of her dancers, crashes in a car chase, goes to the club with Julia Garner and Sabrina Carpenter, and cruises in the men’s bathroom with Benedict Cumberbatch. Madonna does all her own stunts in the film, including some elaborate choreography on a moving table.

The film was directed by TORSO, the duo of David Toro and Solomon Chase. TORSO on meeting Madonna for the first time: “She loved our Biblical names, but she hated our star signs.” 

Confessions II includes cameos including Sabrina Carpenter, Odessa A’zion, Shygirl, Arca, Honey Dijon, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kate Moss, Debi Mazar, Gwendoline Christine, Richard E. Grant, Archie Madekwe, and her daughter, Lourdes Leon, who ends the film with the line “Cut, bitch.” 

After the premiere, Madonna and TORSO answered questions from Anderson Cooper, who replaced the scheduled moderator Jimmy Fallon at the last minute. Madonna discussed her decision to release an accompanying film instead of a series of music videos. “Video seems…cheap. It was good when it was just MTV and me.” She confirmed the Confessions II album will be “one long playlist,” and the songs will flow together into one seamless dance set. 

Earning loving cheers from the audience, Madonna told stories about going to a gay club in Michigan for the first time, partying with Debi Mazar at Danceteria (including making out with her “to get boys’ attention”), writing with her daughter on the unreleased “The Test,” and the artistic drive and dissatisfaction that keeps her motivated throughout her extensive career. “I never want to repeat myself.” After shouts from the crowd to tour the album, Madonna discussed the possibility. “There might be [a tour].” When asked if she’d ever do a residency at The Sphere, Madonna replied, “The idea of the Sphere is cool, but I don’t wanna wake up every day and see Vegas,” earning a raucous applause. 

Madonna discussed her advocacy for the queer community and her decision to include footage from the Stonewall riots and Pride Marches during her performance at Times Square. “I will never forget that moment [the AIDS crisis], and it’s important that you don’t either.” Cooper asked Madonna: “Are you going to The Eagle tonight?” She said no. 

“Has anyone ever pitched an idea to you that was too provocative?” Cooper asked. Madonna: “Go to bed early.” 

Madonna has worked on Confessions II for about a year and a half. After reuniting with producer Stuart Price who worked as musical director for her 2023-2024 Celebration Tour, she revisited the original Confessions on a Dance Floor. “We were like, damn. This shit is good,” Madonna said. Together, they worked on the new record as progress for Madonna’s biopic stalled. 

Cooper ended the Q&A by asking Madonna about the distinction between her public versus private persona. “Is that you in the film?” he asked of the Queen of Pop, who has constantly reshaped her image, changed her persona, and pushed herself to reinvent.

Madonna replied, “All of it is me.”