Madonna Stuns New Haven With Surprise Visit to Yale: “I Didn’t Want to Leave”

New Haven got an unexpected brush with fame after music icon Madonna revealed she recently visited the city and not for a concert. Instead, the Queen of Pop spent time taking in a new exhibit at Yale University, and her fans are calling it a lucky moment for the Elm City.

Madonna in 2023
Photo Credit: *Wikimedia/Raph_PH*

Josh Lanier

04/13/2025 5:20 p.m.

Madonna shared in an Instagram post that she took a train to New Haven to visit the Yale Center for British Art on Chapel Street. Her goal? To see “Tracey Emin: I Loved You Until The Morning,” a powerful new showcase of the contemporary British artist’s work.

“I love Tracey,” Madonna wrote in the post. “I’ve known her since [her daughter] Lola [Ciccone Leon] was 4 years old. I have enormous respect and admiration for her. She's the 21st century Frida Kahlo.”

The pop star praised not just the artwork, but also the city’s academic atmosphere. “I loved being surrounded by so many great minds,” she added. “I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to stay and get my PhD. Can you guess in what subject?”

Her visit brings a spotlight to Yale’s art scene, especially as Emin’s exhibit continues to draw attention.

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