Maluma finally shared details on his and Madonna’s most shocking ‘Medellín’ scene

Maluma looked back on the now-iconic scene where Madonna unexpectedly sucked on his toe while filming the seductive visuals for the 2019 collaboration, released during her Madame X era. “It’s crazy. I didn’t wash that toe for years,” Maluma joked before quickly clarifying, “I’m kidding.”

The “Hawái” singer explained during a recent interview with Billboard Latin that the viral moment was never part of the original plan and happened entirely in the moment while cameras were rolling. “That’s just how artists are. We get inspired in the moment and just… go for it,” he said.

Unexpected Surprise on Set

According to Maluma, the energy on set played a huge role in creating the video’s intimate atmosphere. He described the filming experience heavily fueled by creativity. “We’re in bed, we’re filming, we’re enjoying the video to the fullest… we were completely in the zone,” he recalled.

That’s when the unexpected happened. “When I was there, I suddenly felt my toe getting hot. I was like, ‘Whoa, what just happened?’” he said while laughing.

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Rather than feeling awkward about the situation, Maluma admitted he found the entire experience entertaining and memorable. “It was awesome, honestly… incredible,” he added.

Madonna Personally Wanted the Scene Included

Maluma also revealed that Madonna had complete confidence in keeping the controversial scene in the final edit of the video. “She edits the videos too, so she was the one who wanted to keep it in. She thought it was super cool, and well, when it comes to Madonna, what the queen says goes. Period,” he explained.

The provocative scene quickly became one of the most discussed moments from the “Medellín” video. At the time of its release, the video divided viewers online. Some praised the artistic freedom, while others criticized the provocative imagery. 

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For Maluma, working with Madonna marked a major turning point in his international career. Collaborating with one of music’s most influential artists helped further cement his crossover appeal.