Goddess: Celebrity Moms and DadsMadonna Plans to Get Tougher With Her Kids After Lourdes Is Seen Smoking
As one of the highest-paid celebrities in the world, Madonna can afford the greatest luxuries for her children — the best nannies, tutors, and schools that money can buy — but it doesn't mean she doesn't run into the same parenting problems as ordinary folks. Recently, her eldest daughter Lourdes, 15, was photographed smoking a cigarette outside her New York City high school, something that didn't go over well with mama Madonna.
When she saw the photo, "[I] wasn't very happy," the 53-year-old singer says on Wednesday's "Rock Center," a preview of which aired on the "Today" show this morning. "It's hard [being a parent] — every day is a negotiation. But cigarette smoking I'm not very fond of — for anyone. I don't approve of anyone smoking cigarettes — most of all my daughter."
Of course, Madonna herself has been seen smoking through the years. She puffed a cigar during her infamous 1994 appearance on "Late Show With David Letterman," during which she also dropped the f-bomb 13 different times. More recently, she clutched a cigarette and lighter while directing her 2011 film "W.E." And in a new video for a song off her MDNA album, she's puffing on a cig, which "Rock Center" newsman Harry Smith noted.
"I don't smoke," Madonna replied. "That's just an accessory, Harry. There's a difference. [Lourdes] smoked that cigarette before I did that video I just want to point out. She didn't get that from me."
Asked if she's a tough parent, Madonna — who is also mother to Rocco, 11, David, 6, and Mercy, also 6 — said, "I think I am, but honestly I don't think I'm as tough as I should be. I think I need to be maybe tougher." And while she says she has many different personas ("probably 25" in total, she joked), "To my children there's mostly the one that comes home and says, 'Have you done your homework?' and 'Why are you wearing that?' and 'Why did you say that?' and 'What are you eating that for?'''
There's also the one who shares clothes with her eldest daughter. In another interview with Life & Style, during which Madonna calls Lourdes "a rebel" and says she punishes the teen by taking her phone away when she's bad, she says they're extremely close. So close that they share (presumably sweaty) sneakers. "I live in her Converse sneakers," the pop icon told the mag. "She's always wearing my combat boots. She does have amazing style." However, she gets tough when she has to. "I'm the typical mother, where I say, 'You can't go to school dressed like that!'"
Sounds like there are going to be some interesting years ahead at chez Madonna.
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