The Material Girl and the former Roseanne actress grew close in the 1980s after Madonna introduced herself backstage at one of Bernhard’s stand-up gigs.
The duo sparked speculation about the closeness of their relationship, and famously hinted they were lesbian lovers during a famous double appearance on David Letterman’s Late Night show in 1988.
And Bernhard, who later admitted the sexuality rumours were fake, wishes she was still close to Madonna – because she had the best time as one of the superstar’s confidantes.
She says, “I’m cool with (Madonna), but we’re not friends anymore, and it’s a bit of a bummer.
“In the day, we were super, super, super (best friends). She came to my show in 1988, came backstage and then we started hanging out.
“I guess to a certain degree every time two performers connect there’s a little bit of publicity. (But) we would go out and have a genuinely, genuinely great time, and I think we were a really good example of two women being friends. And that’s the saddest part of our friendship dissolving.
“Some people can’t handle those types of friendships… It’s OK. All is forgiven.”
