Despite circulating rumors about Madonna's alleged drug use during her health crisis in June 2023, her loyal backup dancers have come forward to set the record straight.
In a recent installment of David Yontef's podcast, "Behind the Velvet Rope," Niki Haris and Donna De Lory swiftly responded to claims suggesting that the "Material Girl" had received Narcan as a remedy for a drug overdose.
These allegations surfaced after the pop icon was discovered unconscious on the floor of her bathroom.
Just Resilience
Reports suggest that Madonna received emergency medical treatment last June. It was none other than her manager, Guy Oseary, who confirmed the distressing news of her hospitalization due to a "severe bacterial infection."
In addition to its well-known usage in combating narcotics overdose, Narcan also possesses the remarkable ability to fight acute septic shock. This life-threatening condition arises when a massive infection overwhelms the patient's body, causing the immune system to inadvertently harm the body in its aggressive response to the infection.
According to Donna, "I would definitely care if she's got an opiate, but, you know, here's the deal, [I] cannot see it. Don't wanna get into the gossip of it, and if any kind of drug use was going on, it ain't from Madonna."
Exploring different perspectives, she proceeded to discuss alternative possibilities that might explain the need for a Narcan injection, apart from the assumption of substance abuse.
"She might have run too hard and twisted her ankle or put on some shoes that, you know, got a cut and got an infection and kept working through it anyway, with the blood coming out of her feet."
With a discerning ear, Niki chimed in, highlighting the unmistakable essence of Madonna - a determined spirit that never wavers in the face of adversity.
Drawing attention to the Queen of Pop's timeless resilience, Niki observed her refusal to yield, stating, "She's saying, 'the body is 23,' when it's really 63. That sounds more like Madonna [than the use of a] drug."
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Defending Madonna
In complete alignment with her fellow backup dancer, Donna concurred that Madonna's alleged drug addiction does not resonate with the Madonna they are familiar with. Rather, she put forth a more plausible explanation - the "Vogue" singer relentlessly pushing herself towards a specific goal, inadvertently neglecting her overall well-being and losing sight of the broader perspective.
Upon hearing the news, Niki quickly interjected to convey gratitude towards Madonna's dedicated team for taking the necessary measures to delay her global tour, granting the "Like A Prayer" singer ample time for a complete recuperation.
"Having the people go, 'You don't have to do this.' Thank God, somebody said, maybe it was a doctor said, 'You're sitting down for a minute. We shutting us down. Send everybody home because we're shutting us down.'"
Expressing her gratitude, Niki acknowledged that numerous artists have faced the detrimental consequences of pushing themselves beyond their limits. She highlighted the enduring spirit of individuals in the entertainment industry, citing Michael Jackson as a prime example.
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