Madonna's Daughter Mercy James Works Behind the Scenes at Andy Cohen's 'Watch What Happens Live'

Madonna's daughter, Chifundo 'Mercy' James, has taken on a role behind the scenes at Bravo's late-night talk show, Watch What Happens Live (WWHL), hosted by Andy Cohen. The 20-year-old, whom Madonna adopted from Malawi in 2009, has reportedly been working at the show for about a year.

The news was initially shared by Madonna's longtime friend Rosie O'Donnell in a recent interview with People. O'Donnell recounted an instance where she saw Mercy at the WWHL studios and, not initially recognizing her, was surprised to learn she worked there. "She's worked there for like a year or so. So I was very happy for her and proud of her," O'Donnell stated.

A source also confirmed to The Daily Mail seeing Mercy at the studio a few weeks prior, describing her as "lovely, just the sweetest most adorable girl."

Madonna herself has a well-documented, albeit sometimes playful, frosty relationship with Andy Cohen and has never appeared on WWHL in its 23 seasons. Cohen has previously suggested that Madonna's refusal to appear stems from past guests speaking negatively about her on the show. In 2023, Madonna even jokingly threatened Cohen during one of her concerts, calling him a "little troublemaking queen."

Despite the perceived tension, Cohen has expressed a desire to have Madonna on his show, stating earlier in 2024 that she was a superstar he was still determined to interview. Cohen also attended a fundraiser for Madonna's non-profit organization Raising Malawi in 2025, an event Mercy also attended.

Madonna is a mother of six children. Besides Mercy, she has daughter Lourdes Leon, 29; son Rocco Ritchie, 25; son David Banda, 20, adopted from Malawi in 2008; and 13-year-old twin daughters Estere and Stella, adopted from Malawi in 2017.

O'Donnell also praised Madonna's parenting, describing her as an "amazing mother" who ran a "very tight ship" with her children, noting their artistic and musical talents. Madonna opened The Mercy James Institute for Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Care at Queen Central Hospital in Malawi in 2017, named in honor of her daughter.