Madonna, James Corden vogue, twerk, dish, and Carpool Karaoke through Manhattan

Madonna is the guest in James Corden's latest Carpool Karaoke
(Image credit: Late Late Show)

Madonna has been publicly, provocatively pushing boundaries for about 35 years, but on Wednesday's Late Late Show, she insisted that, at least at this point in her life, it's just an act. "My work is rebellious, but my lifestyle isn't rebellious," she told James Corden in his newest Carpool Karaoke production. "I don't smoke, I don't drink, I don't party. I'm quite square." She added that she wanted to be a nun growing up, but that now the Vatican has excommunicated her three times.

Square or not, Madonna doesn't seem to have much use for seatbelt laws. Driving through Manhattan, she unbuckled to stick her leg on the ceiling as she and Corden vogued to "Vogue," then she twerked along to "Bitch I'm Madonna." "That's the first in-car twerk I've ever seen," Corden said. "Really?" Madonna asked. "Really? I'm shocked." They car-danced along to other Madonna hits, sang "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" from Evita, and chatted — about marriage, Corden's red flannel shirt (Madonna wasn't a fan), and Michael Jackson.

"So you want me to kiss and tell, then, don't you?" Madonna asked coyly when Corden brought up the late King of Pop. "Did you kiss?" he asked. "Of course," she said. "You and Michael Jackson?" Corden asked. "I mean, baby, I've been around," she answered. This is apparently news, and according to Madonna, she made the first move and had to loosen Jackson up with a glass of chardonnay because he was "a little bit shy." You can watch the twerking and the talking below. Peter Weber

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.