Carrie Ann Inaba says Madonna would fine back-up dancers $100 for every MINUTE they were late during The Girlie Show tour in 1993
Madonna has never denied she's a strict disciplinarian, but her former back-up dancer Carrie Ann Iniba revealed just how far she took it on the road during her 39-date, $70M-grossing tour The Girlie Show back in 1993.
'She gave us this one rule, which I'm so grateful she did, it was for every minute you're late you have to pay her $100 out of your paycheck,' the 55-year-old DWTS judge said on Monday's episode of The Jennifer Hudson Show.
'You know what though? If I had worked with her, I learned really quickly. I'm never late. I'm always early. In fact, so much so that I waste half my day because you know you show up so early, like, too early. Too early!'
And it didn't stop there as the 65-year-old Queen of Pop - who had a platinum-blonde pixie cut at the time - demanded all eight of her dancers shave their heads 'to see how far they were willing to go for me.'
'That's what you do when @Madonna asks you to be a principal performer in her The Girlie Show Tour and you're just a baby dancer,' Carrie wrote of the experience in 2017.
![30 years ago! Madonna has never denied she's a strict disciplinarian, but her former back-up dancer Carrie Ann Iniba (M) revealed just how far she took it on the road during her 39-date, $70M-grossing tour The Girlie Show back in 1993](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/24/18/76946001-12667159-30_years_ago_Madonna_has_never_denied_she_s_a_strict_disciplinar-a-1_1698168680094.jpg)
30 years ago! Madonna has never denied she's a strict disciplinarian, but her former back-up dancer Carrie Ann Iniba (M) revealed just how far she took it on the road during her 39-date, $70M-grossing tour The Girlie Show back in 1993
![The 55-year-old DWTS judge said on Monday's episode of The Jennifer Hudson Show: 'She gave us this one rule, which I'm so grateful she did, it was for every minute you're late you have to pay her $100 out of your paycheck'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/24/18/76945759-12667159-The_55_year_old_DWTS_judge_said_on_Monday_s_episode_of_The_Jenni-a-2_1698168680258.jpg)
The 55-year-old DWTS judge said on Monday's episode of The Jennifer Hudson Show: 'She gave us this one rule, which I'm so grateful she did, it was for every minute you're late you have to pay her $100 out of your paycheck'
Despite the harsh working conditions, Inaba has called the grueling world tour her 'best job ever.'
'Grateful for the time I spent on stage topless and making out with you, LOL!' the two-time Daytime Emmy-nominated presenter gushed to Madonna in 2019.
'Seriously, thank you for giving all of us the opportunity to learn from you and to share the stage with the hardest working woman in the business. Touring the world with you is still at the top of my list of greatest moments of my life.'
Carrie said the pinnacle of any dancer's career at the time was touring for the seven-time Grammy winner or male pop legends like Prince and Michael Jackson.
'After that job, I kind of retired because I was 23 and at that time. I know it's weird, right? But as a dancer you're kind of put out to pasture when you're 25,' Iniba recalled.
'I was like, "I'm done! I toured with Madonna. I am good. I'm 23. I'm retiring!" What was I thinking? Back to work!'
The Honolulu-born hoofer decided to go back to school, graduating from UCLA with a bachelor's degree in world arts and cultures, before landing a job as a Fly Girl on Fox sketch comedy show In Living Color alongside future pop star Jennifer Lopez.
Carrie actually first met the 42-year-old EGOT champ while choreographing numbers on the third season of Fox singing competition American Idol where Hudson came in seventh place and Fantasia Barrino won.
![Carrie continued: 'You know what though? If I had worked with her, I learned really quickly. I'm never late. I'm always early. In fact, so much so that I waste half my day because you know you show up so early, like, too early. Too early!'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/24/18/76945785-12667159-Carrie_continued_You_know_what_though_If_I_had_worked_with_her_I-a-6_1698168681142.jpg)
Carrie continued: 'You know what though? If I had worked with her, I learned really quickly. I'm never late. I'm always early. In fact, so much so that I waste half my day because you know you show up so early, like, too early. Too early!'
!['That's what you do when @Madonna asks you!' And it didn't stop there as the 65-year-old Queen of Pop - who had a platinum-blonde pixie cut at the time - demanded all eight of her dancers shave their heads 'to see how far they were willing to go for me'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/24/18/76946719-12667159-_That_s_what_you_do_when_Madonna_asks_you_And_it_didn_t_stop_the-a-5_1698168681030.jpg)
'That's what you do when @Madonna asks you!' And it didn't stop there as the 65-year-old Queen of Pop - who had a platinum-blonde pixie cut at the time - demanded all eight of her dancers shave their heads 'to see how far they were willing to go for me'
!['It was an honor to work with you!' Despite the harsh working conditions, Inaba has called the grueling world tour her 'best job ever'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/24/18/76946697-12667159-_It_was_an_honor_to_work_with_you_Despite_the_harsh_working_cond-a-4_1698168681029.jpg)
'It was an honor to work with you!' Despite the harsh working conditions, Inaba has called the grueling world tour her 'best job ever'
![The two-time Daytime Emmy-nominated presenter gushed to Madonna in 2019: 'Grateful for the time I spent on stage topless and making out with you, LOL! Seriously, thank you for giving all of us the opportunity to learn from you and to share the stage with the hardest working woman in the business. Touring the world with you is still at the top of my list of greatest moments of my life'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/24/18/76946713-12667159-The_two_time_Daytime_Emmy_nominated_presenter_gushed_to_Madonna_-a-3_1698168680492.jpg)
The two-time Daytime Emmy-nominated presenter gushed to Madonna in 2019: 'Grateful for the time I spent on stage topless and making out with you, LOL! Seriously, thank you for giving all of us the opportunity to learn from you and to share the stage with the hardest working woman in the business. Touring the world with you is still at the top of my list of greatest moments of my life'
!['After that job, I kind of retired': Carrie said the pinnacle of any dancer's career at the time was touring for the seven-time Grammy winner or male pop legends like Prince and Michael Jackson](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/24/18/76945757-12667159-_After_that_job_I_kind_of_retired_Carrie_said_the_pinnacle_of_an-a-12_1698168681386.jpg)
'After that job, I kind of retired': Carrie said the pinnacle of any dancer's career at the time was touring for the seven-time Grammy winner or male pop legends like Prince and Michael Jackson
![Iniba recalled: 'I know it's weird, right? But as a dancer you're kind of put out to pasture when you're 25...I was like, "I'm done! I toured with Madonna. I am good. I'm 23. I'm retiring!" What was I thinking? Back to work!'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/24/18/76945783-12667159-Iniba_recalled_I_know_it_s_weird_right_But_as_a_dancer_you_re_ki-a-7_1698168681199.jpg)
Iniba recalled: 'I know it's weird, right? But as a dancer you're kind of put out to pasture when you're 25...I was like, "I'm done! I toured with Madonna. I am good. I'm 23. I'm retiring!" What was I thinking? Back to work!'
![Throwback! The Honolulu-born hoofer decided to go back to school, graduating from UCLA with a bachelor's degree in world arts and cultures, before landing a job as a Fly Girl on Fox sketch comedy show In Living Color alongside future pop star Jennifer Lopez (B-M)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/24/18/76946703-12667159-Throwback_The_Honolulu_born_hoofer_decided_to_go_back_to_school_-a-8_1698168681202.jpg)
Throwback! The Honolulu-born hoofer decided to go back to school, graduating from UCLA with a bachelor's degree in world arts and cultures, before landing a job as a Fly Girl on Fox sketch comedy show In Living Color alongside future pop star Jennifer Lopez (B-M)
!['Step touch!' Carrie actually first met the 42-year-old EGOT champ (R) while choreographing numbers on the third season of Fox singing competition American Idol where Hudson came in seventh place and Fantasia Barrino won](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/24/18/76945765-12667159-image-a-138_1698167472417.jpg)
'Step touch!' Carrie actually first met the 42-year-old EGOT champ (R) while choreographing numbers on the third season of Fox singing competition American Idol where Hudson came in seventh place and Fantasia Barrino won
![Babe: For her daytime talk show appearance, Iniba wore a grey single-strapped Zara top and black pleather maxi-skirt with matching Tom Ford heels](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/24/18/76945749-12667159-Babe_For_her_daytime_talk_show_appearance_Iniba_wore_a_grey_sing-a-10_1698168681379.jpg)
![She relies on stylist Julie Kozak](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/24/18/76945745-12667159-She_relies_on_stylist_Julie_Kozak-a-9_1698168681209.jpg)
Babe: For her daytime talk show appearance, Iniba wore a grey single-strapped Zara top and black pleather maxi-skirt with matching Tom Ford heels selected by stylist Julie Kozak
![Ready for her close-up! Hairstylist Glenn Nutley coiffed The Talk alum's long brunette locks and make-up artist Marylin Lee Spiegel applied her lashes and glossy pout](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/24/18/76945755-12667159-image-m-149_1698167777001.jpg)
Ready for her close-up! Hairstylist Glenn Nutley coiffed The Talk alum's long brunette locks and make-up artist Marylin Lee Spiegel applied her lashes and glossy pout
!['Most Memorable Year': Carrie currently judges the 32nd season of Dancing with the Stars, which airs Tuesdays on ABC/Disney+](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/24/18/76945165-12667159-image-a-139_1698167557433.jpg)
'Most Memorable Year': Carrie currently judges the 32nd season of Dancing with the Stars, which airs Tuesdays on ABC/Disney+
![Feeling okay? Madonna - who was hospitalized June 24 for 'a serious bacterial infection' - will next bring her 78-date Celebration Tour to Denmark Royal Arena in Copenhagen this Wednesday (pictured October 14)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/24/18/76946857-12667159-Feeling_okay_Madonna_who_was_hospitalized_June_24_for_a_serious_-a-11_1698168681380.jpg)
Feeling okay? Madonna - who was hospitalized June 24 for 'a serious bacterial infection' - will next bring her 78-date Celebration Tour to Denmark Royal Arena in Copenhagen this Wednesday (pictured October 14)
For her daytime talk show appearance, Iniba wore a grey single-strapped Zara top and black pleather maxi-skirt with matching Tom Ford heels selected by stylist Julie Kozak.
Hairstylist Glenn Nutley coiffed The Talk alum's long brunette locks and make-up artist Marylin Lee Spiegel applied her lashes and glossy pout.
Carrie currently judges the 32nd season of Dancing with the Stars, which airs Tuesdays on ABC/Disney+.
Meanwhile, Madonna - who was hospitalized June 24 for 'a serious bacterial infection' - will next bring her 78-date Celebration Tour to Denmark Royal Arena in Copenhagen this Wednesday.
Here's hoping things go better this time as the self-made superstar's knee and hip injuries forced her to cancel 14 shows of her prior 75-date The Madame X Tour back in 2019-2020.
As the coronavirus pandemic put the final nail in her tour's coffin, Madonna underwent knee surgery in April 2020 followed by hip surgery in November 2020 as well as 'regenerative treatment for my missing cartilage.'