Madonna has shared a humorous insight into her dating life during the 1980s, revealing that access to a bathtub was once a major factor in deciding whether a potential romance would go any further.
The pop icon made the admission during an appearance on the game show Rent Free, where she reflected on her early years living in New York City and the practical considerations that influenced her dating choices.
Madonna says bathtubs were a dating requirement
Speaking on the show, Madonna explained that she would often ask potential partners about their living arrangements before agreeing to spend time with them.
“I would date guys based on whether they had bathtubs and showers I could use.”
She continued:
“I’d be like, ‘So where do you live?’ And they’re like, ‘I live on the Upper West Side.’ And I’m like, ‘Do you have a bathtub?’ That was a big plus for me.”
The singer suggested that access to a proper bathroom was sometimes more important than romance itself.
“I’d go to this guy or potential boyfriend’s house and take a bath or a shower. And eat their mother’s home cooking!”
A look back at Madonna’s early New York years
Before becoming one of the biggest stars in music history, Madonna spent her early years in New York pursuing a career in music and dance.
Like many aspiring artists living in the city during that period, accommodation and everyday comforts could be limited, making her latest comments a light-hearted reflection on those formative years.
The anecdote offers another glimpse into the determination and resourcefulness that defined Madonna’s rise from struggling performer to global superstar.
Madonna’s current relationship
Today, Madonna is in a very different position from her early days in New York.
The 67-year-old has been in a relationship with Akeem Morris for around two years. The couple sparked engagement speculation in 2025 after Madonna was photographed wearing a large diamond ring.
Neither Madonna nor Morris has publicly confirmed any engagement.
Madonna’s family and past marriages
Madonna was previously married to Sean Penn from 1985 to 1989 and later to filmmaker Guy Ritchie from 2000 to 2008.
She shares son Rocco with Ritchie and is also mother to Lourdes, David, Mercy, and twins Stella and Estere.
