Drowned Madonna: Hi Nicki, welcome to DrownedMadonna.com! We guess it has been a great summer for you, hasn't it?

Nicki Richards: It definitely was an incredible summer full of many of my favorite things - good music, singing, dancing, traveling to beautiful places, meeting new people….

DM: How do you feel now that the “Confessions Tour” has ended?

NR: I always have a hard time letting go when things feel good to me! I have great memories and connections with people I've grown to love. I'm moving on to the next things feeling very inspired, powerful, motivated. Hey, I had a really great example of how to live an amazing life!

DM: Have you ever dreamt of working with Madonna?

NR: I've always admired… who hasn't?

DM: How did everything start?

NR: My friend Lisa Fischer recommended me first to Stuart Price, and things rolled along from there….

DM: Do you remember what you did when you learnt that you were hired?

NR: I was pleased and ready to work!! I knew it might be a welcomed challenge. I have a pretty good work ethic, or so I thought, but it was about to be stepped up to the next level, and that was exciting.

DM: What about the first day you met Madonna and her team?

NR: I was eager and excited and smiled like a fool for 3 weeks!

DM: How has it been working with Madonna's longtime backup singer and friend Donna De Lory?

NR: Ah, my girl, Donna De Lory!!! “DelRoy”!!! She's my friend, my soul sister. I love her. She advises me on how to stay healthy. She always thinks about me with the little things, like making a cup of tea in the dressing room. She's strong and asks for what she wants and has taught me something about empowerment. Wish you could hear us harmonizing away in the dressing room!!

DM: Madonna's fans love Donna. Did you feel their love for you too?

NR: Absolutely. People are constantly reaching out to me even now…. Unparalleled!

DM: Nicki, you took the place of another Niki, Niki Harris, who toured with Madonna from the Who's That Girl Tour 'til the Drowned World Tour, and Siedah Garrett. What did it feel like?

NR: I knew I had serious shoes to step into…. I always thought that Donna De Lory and Niki Harris were a wonderful team with Madonna.

DM: We at Drowned Madonna revealed that Madonna was going to work with a new Nicki… as well as several other details from the rehearsals. Did you know that the news was surfacing the net?

NR: I felt like I had stepped into a whole new world when I came on board and it wasn't long before I discovered what was going on with the internet….

DM: After months of hard work rehearsing, finally the tour started in Los Angeles… How did you feel the day before and the opening night?

NR: Pretty exhilarated…. I felt ready, well-rehearsed (which is a good thing!), ready to strut a little! I was on fire, humble, grateful, ready to kick a--.

DM: Was the European audience different from the North American audience? And what about the Japaneses?

NR: Honestly, audiences everywhere lost their minds. Come on, do you know whose show this was!!?? Lol Even the most conservative of audiences couldn't help but give in to the energy of the show. People just had a good time.

DM: Which is your favourite town you have toured?

NR: I usually don't like “favorite” kinds of questions because there was something interesting to me in every city; my experiences were so different everywhere! For example, Horsens, Denmark had 85,000 people, all of whom smiled, laughed or said hello to me at some point, it seemed! Kind folks. I made new friends in London and Paris and they feel like home. Prague was beautiful, Moscow was moving, Tokyo was crazy and fun. Each town was unique and engaging. I tried to get into some trouble in every one!

DM: What about the hardest thing during the show?

NR: Temperature wise? This was a tour where I learned to live in a constant sweat! It is better for the voice…. Vibe wise, we made every show freakin' hot….

DM: How would you describe 'the family on tour'?

NR: All hard workers, street virtuosos, survivors. Crazy-talented people. We were a very diverse and passionate group.

DM: You included Madonna's “Nothing Really Matters” on your playlist. Why?

NR: I love songs about simple universal truths. You can't say it much better than “Love is all we need”…. I just relate to what's powerful and positive. And the groove is so right up my alley: sexy, smart, warm. I dance like a fool and sing it loudly and proudly!

DM: Nicki, you have worked with a huge list of artists, including Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, Gloria Estefan, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Missy Elliot and Lenny Kravitz. How was working with each of them?

NR: Every day I focus on doing a great job and enjoying the mess out of it, and this has led me to some incredible musical experiences! I bring my passion for music to the studio or stage. I always love who I'm working with, otherwise I wouldn't work with them. I have to feel the love and respect.

DM: What are your upcoming projects?

NR: Got a few singles where I'm the featured vocalist coming out soon, and I'm working on a new project of my own. Guess I'm inspired….

DM: Do we have to expect a new Nicki Richards' album?

NR: Oh yes.... I'll be posting all the info along the way at nickirichards.com and my MySpace page.

DM: What would you suggest those who want to be a singer?

NR: Study the best examples. Really learn your craft, please. Take care of yourself. Develop a good work ethic. Be respectful. Be Excellent. Persevere. Do you!!!

DM: Anything you want to say to Madonna's fans?

NR: Thanks for embracing me and the whole gang…. You really have made this an incredible ride. Feels like I'm part of a family with excellent taste in entertainment and inspiration! I'll be right here keeping it sexy and positive and about the music. Feel me??!! Love you!

DM: Thank you so much Nicki for the privilege!!