Ordinary Girl: Madonna's new boyfriend says she 'just a woman like all the others'

Madonna's new boyfriend has spoken for the first time about his love for the pop queen - describing her as 'just a woman like all the others'.

In a highly revealing interview, 24-year-old Brahim Zaibat said the passionate affair had made him suspicious of old friends, and caused him to change his mobile number.

But, despite the masses of unwanted attention, the French break dancer said he believed he had a future with the 52-year-old superstar.

Lifting the lid: Brahim Zaibat has spoken out about his relationship with Madonna for the first time in a revealing interview, pictured here in October 

Asked about their first meeting in New York, Brahim said: 'It all started on September 22nd at the launch of Madonna's new ready-to-wear clothing range. 

'My mate Norman, who danced for her and who became her personal trainer, asked me to dance at the evening. I performed a solo to Material Girl. Then I met Madonna on the sidelines, and she just thanked me for my show.

'It wasn't like meeting a monster! She's just a woman like all the others. She's an extraordinary artist and world famous, of course, but a woman above all. 

'You know she wasn't the first well known female singer I'd met. I was delighted to meet her but not stressed out.'

Brahim said his first words to Madonna were 'Hi, how are you?', adding cheekily: 'I'm not saying things have gone very fast since then, but things have happened in order.'

Cougar: Madonna, pictured here last month in Mexico City

Eyebrows were immediately raised about the relationship, because of the age gap, and because Brahim is a devout Muslim, while Madonna is a follower of Kabbalah, a variation of Judaism. 

Asked if he was a fan of Madonna as a child, Brahim said: 'It wasn't the kind of sound I had on my I-pod but I knew her tracks. I've since pretty much listened to all she's done. 

'She's put lots of breakdance and hip hop in her last tracks and she's passionate about dance. Her dream as a child was to become a dancer. That's another thing we have in common.'

Asked why the pair had gone public about their love, Brahim said: 'It wasn't her deliberate decision and it wasn't mine. We were in a club and we were seen dancing together. 

'It was because it was Madonna that the affair took on massive proportions. Nothing was calculated by us. We had a nice night together without thinking that there might be paparazzi there.'

Asked what had changed in his life, Madonna said: 'Deep down, not much really. I've stayed the same. It's others who have changed. 

'People I haven't seen for seven years have suddenly remembered that I exist. It's become unmanageable. So I've changed my mobile number. 

'Apart from that, what's being said about me in France is driving me mad. It doesn't interest me at all. Journalists can say what they want. What's not acceptable, though, is for them to touch my family.'

Speaking to journalists from France's Grazia magazine, Brahim said: 'Colleagues of yours have come to my house to take photographs of my mother and get information from her.'

Brahim, who still officially lives in a council flat in Lyon, eastern France, said he resented being portrayed as a poor boy from a rough estate made good.

Brahim also blasted claims made by his mother, Patricia Vidal, 44, that the family was surprised that his girlfriend was a full eight years older than her.

Brahim said: 'To make things clear. Lots of stories are going around about me and some are completely false. Those about my supposed edgy past in the suburbs, for example. All the claims of my mother, completely invented. 

'Now I want to speak for myself, I hope so that people can discover a little bit about who I really am.

'I had a normal childhood. We were four children, and because my mother brought us up on her own I took on the role of a substitute father. 

'Apart from this, I enjoyed exactly the same childhood as any other kid from my social class. At around 13 or 14, dance became an obsession for me, and I quickly reached a high standard, thanks to my flexibility which was exceptional.

'Then I formed the Pockemon Crew and, in 2003, I became champion of the world. It all happened very quickly.

Former fling: Madonna was previously dating Brazilian model Jesus Luz

'In Japan people stop me in the street, because they've seen my show. But in France, outside the world of hip-hop, no-one has heard of me. It's only since the rumours of my relationship with Madonna started that I exist in the media.'

Asked if Madonna was upset by all the publicity, Brahim said: 'No, they're not subjects which concern her. That said, I'm learning a great deal about how she manages her own affairs. I'm an apprentice!'

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