Chase Sui Wonders has praised Madonna’s guest appearance in the second season of Apple TV’s Hollywood satire The Studio, describing the singer as “funny as hell”, hard-working and enthusiastic about joining the show. The cameo matters because it playfully references Madonna’s previously cancelled biopic, in which Julia Garner had been cast to play her.

Madonna and Garner filmed their scenes in Venice, Italy, in March alongside series creator and star Seth Rogen, with Michael Keaton and Donald Glover also reported to be present. Universal ended development of Madonna’s self-directed biopic in 2023; Madonna has since said the dispute concerned the budget, while Garner had secured the lead role after a singing and dancing audition process.