Carrie Ann Inaba Says 'Very Strict' Madonna Charged Dancers $100 a Minute for Being Late

The 'Dancing with the Stars' judge toured with the "Material Girl" singer early in her career

Carrie Ann Inaba says Madonna is a very punctual woman.

The Dancing with the Stars judge, 55, appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show earlier this week and spoke about a time early in her career when she toured with Madonna, 65.

"Back in the day, she was very strict," Inaba told host Jennifer Hudson. "She gave us this one rule, which I'm so grateful she did. It was, for every minute you're late, you have to pay her $100 out of your paycheck."

As Hudson, 42, joked, “I ain’t going to lie, I’d be broke because I’m always late," Inaba reflected on the "Material Girl" singer's rule, stating, "I’m never late."

“I’m always early, in fact so much so, that I waste half my day … showing up too early," she added.

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Despite the strict timing rule, Inaba told Hudson that getting to work for Madonna was a dream come true.

“There was, like, Michael [Jackson], Prince and Madonna at the time. Right?” Inaba said. "I got on Madonna's tour, and I was like, 'That’s all I need!' "

Inaba added that once she was done touring with Madonna, she “retired” from dancing and went back to school.

“As a dancer, you’re kind of put out to pasture when you’re 25,” she joked.

Related: Madonna Talks Her 'Crazy Year' Onstage at Celebration Tour Launch — and Leads Singalong for Lourdes' Birthday

Madonna kicked off her most recent concert outing, the long-awaited Celebration Tour, at London's O2 Arena earlier this month.

Featuring an electrifying two-hour set, the pop superstar opened the tour with "Nothing Really Matters," before going on to perform 40-plus of her greatest hits, including "Like a Prayer," "Crazy for You," "Justify My Love" and "Ray of Light."

The show features other fun moments, including topless dancers, multiple costume changes and aerial stunts.

Madonna's London performance was the first stop in a world tour of 78 shows, which will take her from Europe to North America through April 2024, before closing where she first launched into stardom: New York City.

"I am excited to explore as many songs as possible in hopes to give my fans the show they have been waiting for," Madonna said in a press release when the Celebration Tour was initially announced in January.

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