MADONNA: “WE STILL LIVE IN A VERY SEXIST SOCIETY THAT WANTS TO LIMIT PEOPLE”

Madonna sits down with Cosmopolitan to celebrate 50 years of power, provocation, and living that Cosmo-girl life.

In May 1990, Madonna posed as the cover star of Cosmo’s 25th anniversary issue. Now, 25 years later, the icon sits down with the magazine to celebrate 50 years of power, provocation, and living that Cosmo-girl life. The May issue features not one, but four different covers of Madonna, on stands April 14. Check Cosmopolitan.com throughout the week to see all four.

On longevity in her career: “Popularity comes and goes. You need to know who you are, what you stand for, and why you’re here.”

On sexuality and ageism: “Don’t be fooled, not much has changed – certainly not for women. We still live in a very sexist society that wants to limit people. Since I started, I’ve had people giving me a hard time because they didn’t think you could be sexual or have sexuality or sensuality in your work and be intelligent at the same time. For me, the fight has never ended.”

On collaborating with Kanye West on her album Rebel Heart: “It’s a little bit of a bullfight, but we take turns. He knows that he’s walking into a room with a person with a strong point of view, and I do too. I listen to what he has to say, take it in, and he listens to what I say and takes it in. We didn’t agree on everything, but he has good ideas.”

On internet haters: “You can hide behind your computer or your phone and say whatever you want – you’re not known. Could you say it to my face? Would you say it to my face? I doubt it.”

For more of Madonna’s exclusive interview and photo shoot with Cosmopolitan, pick up the issue on newsstands April 14.