In Madonna's own words as she accepted her honor for Top Touring Artist at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards, "A showgirl needs her fans." Truly Madge owes her devoted following for her continued success as a musician on the road.

The honor was presented to Madge by will.i.am, who, holding Madonna's award and sunglasses, turned into more of her lackey as opposed to her peer. The 'Hung Up' songstress was more than deserving of this honor as 2.2 million fans attended her MDNA tour, which made it the second most successful tour by a female artist -- the first being Madge's 2008 and 2009 Sticky and Sweet Tour.

Madonna accepted her honor in a pseudo-dominatrix costume saying, "They say that it takes a village to raise a child. It took several international villages to put my tour together." True that, Madonna. Even with her divatastic ways, she knows she wouldn't be a superstar without loads of help from her managers, dancers, set designers etc...

Madge took the Top Touring Artist award over mega-stars like Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay, Roger Waters, not to mention her No.1 nemesis -- Lady Gaga.

As will.i.am noted, Madonna is always "one dance step ahead." We have an inkling that this foresight is the reason behind Madge's touring success!

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