Madonna Backpedals A Bit On Harsh Comments About Her Michigan Upbringing

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) - Madonna is backtracking, just a bit, on her derogatory remarks about her hometown of Rochester Hills.

Madonna created a stir among Michiganders when she called her childhood neighbors "basic, provincial-thinking people" on the Howard Stern show in March.  She also told US Weekly that she misses "absolutely nothing about growing up in Michigan."

The 56-year-old singer, in an interview with Gary Graff at the Oakland Press, now says ,"I appreciate my provincial upbringing," adding that was surrounded by "a strong work ethic" and wouldn't have been as creative if she didn't come from such a small town in the Midwest.

At the time of her trash talking, the aging pop princess drew the disapproval of some local leaders, including Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, who wrote on Facebook that she's "tired of Madonna and her cheap shots at Michigan." In a terse open letter to Madonna, Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett said that, while his city and it's people don't need the singer's approval, he's pretty confident that if she came back for a visit they would earn it.

Although the Material Girl has recently been called out for some outrageous on stage antics, Madonna told the Oakland Press she currently leads "a very disciplined life" focused on her children and healthy living.

Madonna is gearing up for a tour that will include an Oct. 1 stop at Detroit's Joe Louis Arena. Tickets range from $53-$158 and are available at this link.

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