Madonna got candid about her more than humble beginnings in New York City – way before she made it big in the music industry.
The star transparently shared with Bilt what her challenging living situation was like when she was 19 and had just moved to the Big Apple.
She recalled: "I continue to live with space heaters. They feel nostalgic to me."
The performer nearly passed away from a tragic accident while she was trying to stay warm.
© Getty ImagesMadonna recalled: "I accidentally started a fire with them. I was living illegally in a building in the garment district. There was no heat in the dead of winter – everybody knows how cold New York City winters are."
She continued: "I was sleeping on the floor in a sleeping bag and I surrounded myself with some space heaters and I started an electrical fire but I was sleeping. So I woke up and I was surrounded by flames. I didn't have anywhere to live, so I escaped to this building called The Music Building on eight avenue."
© Getty ImagesThe bigger picture
The entertainer recognized the bigger picture of her life and revealed how that trying period actually led her towards a successful music career.
The star shared: "I was living in an abandoned synagogue in Queens. My boyfriend at the time was in a band. We broke up because he wouldn't let me be the singer in the band, so I was like, 'I'm out,' and then I lived in the Music Building because I didn't have anywhere to go."
© WireImageThanks to The Music Building, Madonna hustled her way to the top.
She revealed: "The Music Building was full of people grinding to have a music career. There were bands. There were probably two to three bands per room and you timeshared the room with people. And I put my pillow where the bass drum is – that's where I slept, with my head inside."
© InstagramMadonna's breakthrough
The entertainer continued: "Who took pity upon me? I can't even remember…So I stopped living there when I got a record deal when I was discovered by a DJ at Danceteria named Mark Kamins."
The artist spoke a bit about the Confessions on the Dance Floor sequel, recalling "I have a song called 'Danceteria' on the record also." That's about how I got my first record deal in a club on the Lower Eastside."
Madonna concluded: "I was grinding. Hustling everybody. Nothing was beneath me."
