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Madonna news - Jan. 2007
← Dec. 2006 | Feb. 2007 →
iTunes offers two bonus live tracks
Source: Madonna.com - 31 January 2007The most successful tour of 2006 is about to hit your living room! Madonna's Confessions Tour DVD/CD is now available in stores! If you didn't order your copy yet, just click here!
The full video version of the show and live tracks are now available from iTunes! Click here to download and to access 2 exclusive live songs [Get Together and Ray Of light] that are not included on the CD!
To celebrate the release of the Confessions Tour on dvd, AOL has just launched a devoted mini site which features video clips from the show (including Get Together, Like A Virgin, Jump, Lucky Star and Hung Up) as well as a photo gallery and much more! Click here to check it out [only for US fans]!
Want to launch your own online celebration? Visit Madonna.com for exclusive Confessions Tour branded banners, buddy icons and wallpapers!
CD/DVD press review: Battling the critics
Source: Blogcritics - 30 January 2007After watching Madonna's The Confessions Tour-Live From London DVD, one can only assume that the human Madonna no longer exists. After all, it is almost impossible to believe that a 48-year-old woman can run, twist, turn, krump and flip with the energy of a 15 year old.
Instead, we have some Android Madonna who looks built unnaturally like a man who has the face of a woman in her thirties. But even if Madonna is now an Android, watching her is still a thrill.
The Confessions Tour is the most successful tour ever by a female artist. Despite the high price of $350 for a majority of tickets, Madonna had no problem playing multiple dates in each city. Her ticket prices may be ridiculously overpriced, but make no mistake: Madonna works hard for the money and even if you weren't able to see the show in person, this DVD shows why she is still the most successful female entertainer in the world.
From the moment she opens the show from inside a disco ball with Future Lovers to her jaw dropping performance of Hung Up at the end, Madonna can command an audience like none of her peers have been able to. Her voice may have a limited range, but Madonna sings with emotion, confidence, and poise. It's unfortunate that her voice has been auto tuned and reverbed past the point of reality on this DVD.
At her actual concerts, Madonna's singing, although imperfect at points, is fine enough. When she sang Live to Tell in New York City last July, the audience was clearly moved by the emotion and effort in her voice. She still sounds effective on the DVD, but it's hard for the listener to appreciate the post manipulation of her voice.
Speaking of Live To Tell, there has been a lot of controversy about Madonna supposedly mocking Jesus Christ as she performs this song. Right wing Christians would have you believe that Madonna's performance of Live To Tell was a bigger travesty than the war in Iraq. However, this is not the case. While Madonna performs this song, posing as Jesus Christ on the cross, we see flashing numbers rise to 12,000,000.
When Madonna gets down from the cross, we realize that this is the number of African children orphaned because of the Aids crisis. We then see quotes from the Bible, such as "For I was hungry and you gave me food." It really is an effective performance as Madonna pleads for us to stop ignoring this travesty. Then again, Madonna has pushed our buttons so much that's it's easy to see why some people take her message as a "publicity stunt" rather than a truly philanthropic statement.
Thankfully, The Confessions Tour-Live From London is filled with more fun than political messages. She plays a horse master during Future Lovers, Get Together and Like A Virgin. She plays an acrobatic, crazy chick during Sorry, Like It Or Not and Let It Will Be.
She's surprisingly successful as "rock chick" when she effectively plays the guitar during I Love New York and Ray Of Light. She's most effective, however, as the dancing queen during Music, (where she effectively shows off her Saturday Night Fever moves), Erotica, La Isla Bonita, Lucky Star, and the finale, Hung Up.
The only time the concert slows down is during the performances of Drowned World and Paradise. She sings Drowned World beautifully, but the audience doesn't want her to sit down. She plays acoustic guitar during Paradise, but the audience, once again, doesn't appreciate Madonna as the reinvented coffee house singer.
Madonna also invites a singer named Isaac with her on this tour. He actually sings on Madonna's recent record, so she probably thought having him sing on tour would have been a great thing - Wrong! Isaac appears as a sore thumb in an almost perfect concert. This is especially evident while Madonna sings a newly discofied La Isla Bonita. The audience is definitely with Madonna on the ride until, suddenly, Isaac's off-key voice appears at the end. While he may have been a great addition to Madonna's Confessions On A Dance Floor album, he's surely a disability (although a minor one) to her concert tour.
The Confessions Tour-Live From London definitely captures the excitement of seeing Madonna live, but at times, tries to over-capture the experience. During the most exciting performances, we see constant scene shifts from different camera angles, overexposure of the lighting, and a constant exaggeration of stage effects. At times, this all makes the viewer feel he/she is watching a cartoon.
Ultimately, Madonna becomes exhausting to watch - but not in a bad way. One may wonder why, at this point in her career, Madonna feels that she still needs to sweep her audience up like a hurricane and make them say "Wow!" over and over. Is Madonna celebrating her recent success, or trying to battle her critics?
In the past year, Madonna's Confessions On A Dance Floor broke chart records by becoming the first album to ever top 41 music charts throughout the world. Her single, "Hung Up" became her most successful international single ever, topping the charts in a record breaking 41 countries as well. Despite the political boycott from Clear Channel Radio in America, Hung Up still managed to become her 36th top 10 single in the United States, tying her with Elvis Presley. Perhaps this incredible exertion is Madonna's way of saying "Thank you!" to her audience.
More likely, Madonna is battling her critics, who say she's "too old," "over with," "needs to retire," etc. The louder Madonna's critics become (and they have become pretty loud over the past few years), the more Madonna puts out. One hopes, however, that she doesn't develop extreme arthritis after this tour just for the purpose of proving her critics wrong. You would think that Madonna has proven herself enough after twenty five years.
The Confessions Tour-Live From London comes with a bonus CD of live performances from the concert. However, this CD is probably more useful as a Frisbee for your pet. After all, hearing the live (and over-enhanced) performances without the visuals does the music injustice. Instead, go somewhere with a large screen, pop The Confessions Tour-Live From London in your DVD player and feel yourself being taken in by an amazing performance.
Amsterdam not to try Madonna for blasphemy
Source: AFP via Yahoo! - 30 January 2007 Prosecutors in Amsterdam said they would not take action against the singer Madonna over charges of alleged blasphemy during a concert tour in which she underwent a mock crucifixion.
Young people belonging to the SGP, a small deeply conservative Protestant party, called for her to be prosecuted after she gave two concerts last September in Amsterdam during which she knelt and took off a crown of thorns while a crucifix was projected behind her.
"The pop singer Madonna will not be prosecuted for blasphemy and insulting faith," the Amsterdam prosecutor's office said. The so-called crucifixion scene "can lend itself to different interpretations," the office said.
"The prosecutor's office believes that through her show, the singer on all the evidence tried to express her frustrations about certain situations in the world .. it is not a question of contempt for God. "Furthermore, Madonna did not discredit Christians as a group." The office said the plaintiffs could appeal.
Win entire Madonna collection
30 January 2007Belgian TV channel VT4 will broadcast the Confessions Tour again on Friday, February 2nd at midnight. They are holding a SMS contest, which gives Madonna's entire CD and DVD collection to the winner. To participate SMS the keyword 'LIVE' to 3231 (for Belgian mobile users).
Confessions Tour now out on CD/DVD
30 January 2007Madonna's successful 2006 Confessions Tour is now available for sale everywhere. The show, which was recorded in London's Wembley Arena, was released worldwide yesterday, and in North America today as a DVD package as well as a CD/DVD package. The latter includes a live CD with a selection of songs from the show. You can order the CD/DVD at Amazon.
Madonna.com has been promoting the release with several different intro's over the past few days; check them out below. Warner Music Belgium is also promoting with a promo projection on high buildings, which still runs tonight (5pm-10pm) on the Rogierplein in Brussels and the next 3 days near the Metropolis in Antwerp.
Madonna says she's 'absolutely not' retiring
Source: People.com - 26 January 2007In recent months, Madonna has appeared in a world tour, released an album, voiced a role in a movie and begun the process of adopting an African child.
So when asked by reports at the London premiere of her latest film, Arthur and the Invisibles, if she planned to retire anytime soon, she responded with a smile - and a resounding: "Absolutely not!"
But the singer, who voices a character in the animated Invisibles, showed that family is her top priority. Leaving 15-month old Malawian youngster David snoozing at home, Madonna, walked hand in hand with husband Guy Ritchie and kids Lourdes, 10, and Rocco, 6.
Madonna and Ritchie, who have shot down rumors of a rift in their marriage, got cozy together to pose for family pictures. Madonna, clad in a Dolce & Gabbana coat and knee-high Stella McCartney boots, also stopped to sign autographs for fans.
When asked by reporters what she had coming up next in her busy career, the multi-hyphenated star answered: "H&M," referring to her "M by Madonna" line with the global fashion chain, which launches in stores worldwide March 25.
Also on deck for the singer is the release of her special edition CD/DVD The Confessions Tour on Jan. 29. The DVD, filmed during her eight-night stint at London's Wembley Arena last year, includes the controversial crucifixion scene that excluded from the NBC special that aired last November.
Madonna hints at new album
26 January 2007BBC Radio 1's Jo Whiley revealed that at the Arthur and the Invisibles premiere last night they asked Madonna about her next album and she replied: "I have not started yet but I will soon. I fancy more dancing.", which seems to contradict earlier rumours about Madonna already working on a hiphop album.
CD/DVD press review: She works out hard for the money
Source: Orlando Sentinel - 26 January 2007She arrives by giant disco ball, which opens like a glittery spaceship. Out steps Madonna, done up as a horsewoman, to whip up excitement at London's Wembley Arena.
She earns the adulation in Madonna: The Confessions Tour. The DVD, which will be out Tuesday, serves as an important reminder. Madonna may make headlines for controversies, from adopting an African boy to hanging from a cross in the concert. She may keep reinventing her image to stay in the public eye.
Yet what matters most is that Madonna remains an electrifying entertainer, a determined singer and a tireless dancer.
NBC edited that Live To Tell segment, which Madonna performed on a cross, when the network aired this special in November. She could be seen wearing a crown of thorns as she issued a heartfelt plea to remember the 12 million African children made orphans by AIDS. The concert quotes the Bible to reinforce that plea.
NBC did her a favor, actually, because Live To Tell takes a splashy show in a jarring, serious direction. The DVD allows you to judge for yourself by giving you Madonna uncensored.
The special, shot with 15 cameras, provides an eye-popping record of two concerts from August. Madonna's razzle-dazzle showmanship echoes Cecil B. DeMille, Bob Fosse and even Steven Spielberg.
You want a light show? Madonna gives you one on Future Lovers, which opens the concert, and another on Ray Of Light. Her pride in her dancers comes through in the showcases Jump, Sorry and Hung Up, the rousing finale.
Fans should be dazzled by the mix of videos, lighting and dancing. Maybe she'll win a few new admirers.
In the end, this concert DVD buttresses her status as the hardest-working woman in show business.
Family affair at Arthur UK premiere
Source: Daily Mail - 26 January 2007 It was almost a full family affair when Madonna arrived at the premiere of her new film.
The Queen of Pop was flanked by director husband Guy Ritchie and their two excited children, Lourdes, 10, and Rocco, six, at the event.
But little David Banda, whose adoption from Malawi caused controversy after Madonna was accused of using her international stature to speed up the process, stayed at home "sleeping".
By bringing her film-maker husband on her arm to the UK premiere of Arthur And The Invisibles, the Material Girl scotched rumours of a marriage crisis.
Guy, 38, was happy to take a back seat and support the superstar as she walked down the green carpet to the clamour of her adoring fans.
Madonna, 48, whose most recent efforts in front of the camera have been panned by critics, voices the character of Princess Selenia in the new film.
She said: "It was great fun. I got to voice the character while sitting there in my tracksuit."
Asked what attracted her most to the character, pop's most powerful woman answered: "I like how tough she is and that she knows how to use a sword."
She said of the film: "I like the fact that the good guys win in the end." Asked how 15-month-old David was, she replied: "He's wonderful thank you. He's sleeping."
Madonna, wrapped up from the cold in a Dolce & Gabbana black coat with bronze buttons and heels designed by her friend Stella McCartney, spent 20 minutes outside the Leicester Square cinema where fans waited to see her.
The star was recently reported have said that she wanted to adopt a sister for David.
But soon after she brought David home from Africa she was criticised for leaving him so quickly to go to the gym. Vanessa Feltz, who also attended the premiere, criticised Madonna for not being with David when she was pictured going out on her own so soon after bringing him back from Africa, saying: "I wouldn't have left him for three minutes."
Teenage star Freddie Highmore, who plays Arthur in Arthur and The Invisibles, was also at the screening. The Charlie And The Chocolate Factory actor, who is just 14, said: "It was great fun working in Paris. I got to improve my French.
"I like to say I'm a normal kid, but then if I say that people say it's not very normal to fly around the world to make films. I had a tutor on set and my homework gets sent out to me. Everyone's got to do it. My friends don't treat me any differently just because I have been in a few films." He added: "Everyone says Madonna is very nice, hopefully I'll get to meet her later."
The film is directed by Luc Besson, who joked: "Freddie is a genius, you are very lucky to have him and David Beckham. "But you don't have Beckham any more. You exchanged him for Madonna and you won, although she doesn't play football." He confirmed that he did not want to make any more films saying: "Ten films is enough. I've been in this business for 30 years. It's a long time."
New hiphop album with Pharrell Williams? *rumour*
26 January 2007Fansite MadonnaTribe posts following album rumour: "Madonna will be recording materials to include on a new album in the USA with Pharrell Williams, while rumoured producer Timbaland is not in the picture.
From what we have been told Stuart Price will not be on board as a main producer for this album either, as Madonna really wants to make an American hip-hop album, that will put her in the American mainstream for a change. We have no doubt it's gonna be amazing, but in any case we have been told by our sources that it won't be happening any time soon this year."
~ Would you like a hiphop sound for the new album? Voice your opinion!
Confessions Tour in Canadian theatres
26 January 2007Warner Music Canada is proud to present an exciting promotion to launch Madonna's new release: The Confessions Tour. Warner Music Canada, in conjunction with Empire Theatres, will be providing exclusive showings of The Confessions Tour in theatres across Canada.
Screenings to be held at Empire Theatres in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa and Halifax on January 29th @ 7pm. Passes will be made available through radio contests. The radio partners for each city are: Toronto - Z103; Vancouver - Z95; Calgary - Vibe 98.5; Ottawa - Hot 89.9; Halifax - C100.
There will be 10 prize pack's given away at each screening containing a limited edition numbered poster, a copy of The Confessions Tour and 2 free movie passes. Each attendee will also receive a free poster. The passes will have a barcode on the back. If this pass is taken to an HMV the next day (release day), it will give the attendee a discount on the CD/DVD.
The theatre locations in each city are:
- Empire 7 Cinemas, Ottawa
- Empire Studio 16 Country Hills, Calgary Empire Studio 10 Square One, Mississauga
- Empire Granville 7 Cinemas, Vancouver Empire 8 Parklane, Halifax
For info on Empire Theatres, please visit: www.empiretheatres.com
Amazon.com reviews Confessions Tour CD/DVD
25 January 2007Amazon.com has posted a nice review of the upcoming CD/DVD release that chronicles the Confessions Tour:
The world can't get enough of Madonna, and with CD/DVD sets like The Confessions Tour dropping regularly, it's little wonder why. As a thrower of fantasy dance parties, she is peerless. As a physical role model for the 40-ish women who grew up on her music, she rules. And as an arbiter of what's going to sound shockingly original in any given decade - well, duh.
The Confessions Tour rounds up songs from way back - Ray Of Light and La Isla Bonita make the DVD, and Lucky Star and Like A Virgin are on the CD as well as the DVD - but this concert, filmed in 2006 at London's Wembley Arena, aims its sturdiest spotlight on Confessions On A Dance Floor, Madge's 2005 disco disc.
You could argue, then, that unless you're in it for the sheer DVD spectacle (and what a spectacle it is), there's no sense in owning this package. Only you wouldn't be right. Because as any on-the-ball Madonna fan knows, what she's doing musically is telling a story - you may already know the characters, but that doesn't mean she hasn't completely reworked the plot.
To that end, I Love New York gets its rock on, Let It Will Be has a musical temper tantrum, and Hung Up goes for the drama queen award. You've heard these songs before, but you've never heard them quite like this, to borrow a bad informercial phrase. As twisted and hopped-up as they've become, they're all worth getting to know again. ~ Tammy La Gorce
Liam Neeson denies criticising Madonna
Source: AAP via Yahoo - 25 January 2007Irish actor Liam Neeson denied he ever meant to criticise Madonna's adoption of an African boy, and threatened to sue gossip websites over the reports.
Neeson was responding to a range of internet-based reports of his January 11 comments in Dublin about whether he had ever considered trying to adopt an African child.
During an appearance as an ambassador for global children's charity UNICEF, Neeson said he had considered the possibility when he visited Mozambique in 2005 and suggested that his wife, actress Natasha Richardson, was more open to the option.
"I'm always arguing with my wife about it," Neeson was quoted as saying January 11.
"It was something I considered when I was there but ... to be honest with you, I have a lot of issues with it. With taking a child away from its parents if they were alive, its culture, its country."
Several gossip websites reported the comments beneath headlines and lead paragraphs that said Neeson had criticised Madonna, who adopted a one-year-old Malawian boy last year in disputed circumstances.
"In response to totally unfounded allegations recently published on the internet that I had criticised Madonna's decision to adopt an African child, I wish to make it absolutely clear that I have not at any stage sought to criticise or pass judgment on Madonna's decision," Neeson said in a statement supplied by his Belfast lawyer to The Associated Press.
"Indeed I did not even mention her name, and most certainly was not intending to refer to her, during the course of the interview which has been so blatantly distorted," Neeson said.
The Northern Ireland actor, whose starring credits include Schindler's List, Rob Roy and Michael Collins, said he was "bewildered and disturbed" that the Madonna claims had overshadowed his intention to publicise UNICEF's Change for Good fundraising campaign.
His lawyer, Paul Tweed, said he was sending letters to several internet-based news sites "seeking a full and categoric correction and apology."
Neeson and Richardson, who live near New York City, have two boys aged 10 and 11.
Madonna, 48, and her husband, movie director Guy Ritchie, 38, last year adopted David Banda and took the 1-year-old to their home in London even though the boy's father was still alive. Yohane Banda had surrendered his son to an orphanage after his wife died.
Warner promoting upcoming CD/DVD release
24 January 2007Warner has been promoting the release actively, they officially made available the Jump performance from the DVD which can be watched on YouTube.
It is rumoured that some European countries will have Future Lovers/I Feel Love & Music Inferno played on radio stations. Also, Madonna.com is holding a countdown for it with the intro page changing every day, plus they also posted a commercial.
The CD/DVD is going to be released worldwide on January 29th (30th for USA and 26th for selected countries, like Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy).
You can pre-order The Confessions Tour CD/DVD here.
What's the next re-invention for Madonna?
Source: The Times - 22 January 2007Her Madge releases a live album, The Confessions Tour, on January 29. Where to next for the queen of controversy and reinvention? It’s anyone’s guess. As this top 10 demonstrates, she has covered a lot of bases, but key principles remain at the core of her work: attitude, danceability, savvy, elusiveness - and tunes to die for.
1 Cherish Quite simply one of the greatest pop songs ever. “Romeo and Juliet, they never felt this way, I bet”, indeed.
2 Papa Don't Preach Her best vocal, and the most musically rewarding of her early songs.
3 Material Girl The defining anthem of the greed-is-good decade?
4 Vogue Did anyone ever master the dance steps? Maybe not, but we sang along all the same.
5 Into The Groove The moment when, with the Desperately Seeking Susan tie-in, she went stratospheric.
6 Like A Prayer The video was condemned as blasphemous, overshadowing this hair-raisingly good song.
7 Ray Of Light Always at her best when written off, Madonna discovered rave here, and blazed back into contention.
8 Borderline Impossibly addictive 1980s electro, back when she pretty much owned the genre.
9 Music A return to her dancefloor roots - reductive, in your face, unmistakable.
10 Like A Virgin A helium-voiced come-on, touching the world for the very first time.
Confessions Live CD leaks, no Live To Tell
20 January 2007One week before the official release, the live CD of The Confessions Tour has leaked online.
While the Mad-Eyes team hoped that track no. 4 of The Confessions Tour Live CD would also include Live To Tell, which was named by Madonna's own 'confession', unfortunately we have to report readers that the track only includes the dancers' confessions and after Hypnosis' it cuts to Isaac. The amazing one-two punch of Live To Tell & Forbidden Love is only available on the DVD itself...
The Confessions Tour CD/DVD will be available in stores on the following dates:
- January 26th (Benelux + Italy)
- January 29th (Worldwide)
- January 30th (USA + Canada)
The DVD sleeve has been posted by fansite Madonna.nl - click on the image on the right to enlarge. You can pre-order the CD/DVD here.
Madonna's 'cross' words
Source: Billboard - 19 January 2007Of the 6,504 votes tallied in our last poll ("How do you feel about Madonna's "cross segment" of her live show, an overwhelming 53% thought it was "affecting and real."
"Loved it! A large part of the public will forever hold Madonna in contempt and no matter what she does they will always find fault with her," says Britton T. " In fact, it was very well presented and almost self explanatory," says S. Freire. "The performance inspired me to want to be a betterhuman being, and even as a Catholic, I found that it was not the least bit offensive," related Ryan D.
Eleven percent of you thought the segment had good intentions, but was a little off the mark. "After watching the show on HBO, I must confess I was moved by this number (Live To Tell) and thought the message was a positive one, and it was very clear. Having said that, I personally would not choose this way to get the message across, simply because I feel that impersonating Jesus in pop concert is going a little too far," said LC.
Folks, like Matt B., fell in 14% of the camp: No one can tell you what to think if you didn't even see it. "People need to stop worrying about what other people do... I hate Madonna, but I don't give a rats a** what the hell she does as long as it doesn't affect me and I don't have to be a witness." Madonna pulls acts like these to stay in the headlines? That's what 13% of you thought.
Nearly 10% of you were offended by her bit, some for religious reasons. "It would be nice to think that Madonna has finally become a sincere 'peace maker' with the use of the greatest symbol of the Christian religion... but based on her [history] and portrayal of Christianity, I have serious doubts," says JNC. "To quote [Madonna]: 'I believe in my heart that if Jesus were alive today' He is alive, my dear, and he's coming back. You can ask Him face to face what He thinks of the foolish mockery," steamed Sandy T.
But of our favorite response came from Brian H. of Grand Rapids, Mich.: "At this point, it really shouldn’t matter what this lady does. If I’m paying $300+ on tickets for the show, she better be on a damn cross! Either that, or singing to me on my lap." Touche.
Confessions On A Dance Floor gets certified in the UK
18 January 2007Madonna's 11th studio album Confessions On A Dance Floor gets its long-overdue BPI certification in the UK. With sales passing over 1,2 million copies it is certified 4 times platinum (Platinum = 300,000).
Here's a list of Madonna's UK album certifications in order:
The Immaculate Collection 12xP (January 2003)
True Blue 7xP (Mar 1992)
Ray Of Light 6xP (January 2003)
Music 5xP (June 2001)
Confessions On A Dance Floor 4xP (January 2007)
Like A Prayer 4xP (February 1995)
Like A Virgin 3xP (November 1985) [possibly 6xP]
Something To Remember 3xP (April 1997)
GHV2 2xP (November 2002)
Erotica 2xP (June 1993)
Evita 2xP (March 1997)
The First Album 1xP (December 1985) [possibly 3xp]
You Can Dance 1xP (November 1987)
Who's That Girl 1xP (December 1987)
I'm Breathless 1xP (July 1990)
Bedtime Stories 1xP (December 1994)
American Life 1xP (August 2003)
Madonna among 20 richest women in entertainment
Source: Forbes.com - 18 January 20071. Oprah Winfrey
2. J.K. Rowling
3. Martha Stewart
4. Madonna
5. Celine Dion
6. Mariah Carey
7. Janet Jackson
8. Julia Roberts
9. Jennifer Lopez
10. Jennifer Aniston
11. The Olsen Twins
12. Britney Spears
13. Judge Judy
14. Sandra Bullock
15. Cameron Diaz
16. Gisele Bundchen
17. Ellen DeGeneres
18. Nicole Kidman
19. Christina Aguilera
20. Renee Zellweger
These days, just about any lip-smacking starlet can land a cable reality show or become YouTube's flavor of the week. But fame's 15 fleeting minutes can elapse quicker than it takes to refresh a Web page. Only a bona fide superstar can parlay a moment's stardom into a long and lucrative career. And even that's not enough to land a coveted spot on our first-ever listing of the 20 Richest Women in Entertainment. For that, you'd need a minimum net worth of $45 million.
To compile the list, we scoured the music, television, film and publishing industries to determine which female celebrities have, over the course of their careers, amassed the greatest fortunes in entertainment. We ruled out non-working celebs who essentially live off royalties (Barbra Streisand, for example), and we also excluded "old Hollywood" types like Elizabeth Taylor. The list is entirely confined to today's active megastars.
Of course, the celebrities with the longest careers proved the most daunting to evaluate. Since beginning her career in the early 1980s, Madonna has sold some 200 million albums worldwide and starred in a string of largely disappointing films. She owns an impressive portfolio of properties and briefly ran her own record label, Maverick, a part of Warner Music Group. Our estimate of her net worth--$325 million--is definitely on the conservative side.
Belgian promotion of The Confessions Tour CD/DVD
16 January 2007
Belgian Television will air the Confessions Tour again on February 2nd at midnight on VT4. Also Warner Belgium, VT4 and Free Record Shop will promote the DVD by projecting a 4 minute short movie of the show on big buildings in Antwerp and Brussels:
Brussels-Rogierplein (Crowne Plaza Hotel): January 25,26,27, 30 from 5PM till 10 PM
Antwerp-Noorderlaan (Close to Metropolis): January 31 and February 1 and 2nd from 5MP till 10 PM
Warner Belgium has also announced that the CD/DVD version of The Confessions Tour will also be digitally available and it will contain two bonus tracks: Get Together and Ray Of Light. These songs will not be listed on the CD available in the stores. (thanx to Evy @ MadonnaNed)
Madonna and Leon remain friends
Source: ContactMusic - 16 January 2007Pop star Madonna and former boyfriend Carlos Leon didn't last long as a romantic couple, but still remain great friends as they raise their ten-year-old daughter Lourdes together.
The Hung Up singer was in New York City last week (ends15JAN07) promoting her new film Arthur And The Invisibles and caught up with her former flame.
The pair had dinner Thursday night (11JAN07) at Nobu 57 and were careful to arrive and leave the restaurant separately. A witness tells PageSix.com, the two held hands and seemed "very flirty, very friendly, they were having a wonderful time."
Madonna's spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg adds, "They set a good example for other couples who have kids. It's lovely they get along and remain friends."
Madonna's nanny trouble
Source: AZ Central - 16 January 2007Madonna is struggling to hire a nanny to help her care for her adopted son David Banda.
The 'Hung Up' singer - who adopted the 15-month-old Malawian boy in October 2007 has been interviewing candidates since Christmas but cannot find a nanny who will adhere to her strict rules which includes no television and no visitors.
A source told Britain's Mail On Sunday newspaper: "Madonna has been interviewing people and has used her friends Stella McCartney and Gwyneth Paltrow, who both have children, to help her find a suitable employee. But she hasn't been able to find anyone.
"She is panicking a bit as she has yet to find someone who is prepared to adhere to her strict lifestyle.
"Madonna doesn't believe in television. Whoever gets the job has also been warned they will be working flat out for the first three months and won't be allowed any visitors."
The 48-year-old singer - who splits her time between London and Los Angeles - already has a host of minders to help her look after her daughter, ten-year-old Lourdes, and son Rocco, six.
The job is said to be well paid but the nanny will be expected to live in a single room of Madonna's London townhouse, and, as her children aren't allowed to watch TV, they will not be allowed to own a television.
Liz denies car chase gossip
Source: NY Daily News - 15 January 2007Madonna was nearly chased off the road after her appearance on "Late Show With David Letterman" last week and had to call the cops for help, according to an Internet gossip site. Two vehicles reportedly were tailgating the M
aterial Mom's car, and the pop star's chauffeur tried to elude them by turning onto Fifth Ave.
The pursuing drivers then tried to ram Madonna's car, forcing her to call 911, gossip blogger Perez Hilton claimed on perezhilton.com.
The NYPD could not confirm the emergency call, and Madonna's spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg, said she was unaware of the close call, which was reminiscent of Princess Diana's last moments.
Rosenberg did say the singer encountered "a danger situation" directly outside the Ed Sullivan Theater, where she had told Letterman about her controversial adoption of an African orphan and Britney Spears' pantyless photo op.
The crushing crowd of 500 fans that surged toward her on Broadway "was pretty scary," Rosenberg said.
Rosenberg would not confirm whether Madonna or her entourage called for a police escort last week or in the past.
"I don't comment on her security," she said.
ICON leaks tracks from DVD
15 January 2007Madonna's official fanclub ICON has leaked two unedited video performances from Madonna's upcoming CD/DVD set The Confessions Tour.
One of them is Jump where the parkour dancers take over the stage after Madonna's now-famous "Thank you for coming to our little show!" speech.
The other one is the energetic Ray Of Light where Madonna plays the electric guitar and urges fans to jump up and down with her. You can pre-order the DVD here.
Madonna in car chase ordeal
Source: ContactMusic - 13 January 2007Pop superstar Madonna was forced to phone for police help after two cars allegedly tried to ram her off the road on New York City's Fifth Avenue. Thursday's (11JAN07) street scare saw the singer's driver call cops over fears their pursuers had evil designs on the star.
A source tells British newspaper the Daily Star, "Madonna's driver noticed there were two big vehicles driving closely behind her and tried to ditch them by turning onto Fifth Avenue.
He was particularly concerned as Madonna has recently been sent some disturbing mail - which has been somewhat threatening to say the least. "But as he turned to go along Fifth Avenue, the two following cars tried to ram Madonna's car off the road and she was forced to dial 911.
Eventually, after a high-speed chase, her driver managed to lose them and they reported it to the police in a lengthy phone call. "Madonna is carrying on as normal but she's stepped up security."
Madonna pokes fun at Britney's no-undies controversy
Source: WOAI - 12 January 2007Madonna poked fun at former pal Britney Spears for partying without her underwear on TV in America last night, calling the daring trend "dreadful."
The pop superstar, who once bared all for her controversial "Sex" book, told late night TV host David Letterman she was shocked by stories of party girls hitting the town without their underwear, and urged the broadcaster to send Spears a pair of hers.
She said, "I've been hearing these stories (and) it's dreadful. I love underpants... I brought you a pair."
And when Letterman recalled the undies Madonna gave him as a gift many years ago, stating, "I still have them," the singer joked, "Maybe you could send them to Britney."
The "Material Girl" added, "I live in England and so I'm pretty cut off from a lot of these stories - I only hear stuff about the royal family.
"I've come to New York and the first thing I hear is about everyone not wearing underpants.. What's going on? It's freezing outside.
"It's a fashion trend... I hope the same thing doesn't happen for men."
~ During the interview, Letterman was showing a copy of Madonna's upcoming CD/DVD release The Confessions Tour which will be available as a digipack.
Madonna attends Arthur screening
12 January 2007Yesterday, Madonna attended a special screening of the animation movie Arthur and the Invisibles in New York (in most countries the movie is released with the title Arthur and the Minimoys).
Madonna has lend her voice to the character of Princess Selenia. She is in the US promoting the movie, which opens there in theaters today.
Madonna urges more people to adopt from Africa
Source: Reuters - 12 January 2007Madonna has urged more people to adopt children from Africa, sidestepping comments by actress and fellow adoptive mother Angelina Jolie about only adopting from countries with clearly defined adoption laws.
Madonna, 48, who is in the legal processes of adopting a 1-year-old boy from Malawi, was accused by adoption groups last year of using her celebrity status to bypass laws about foreigners adopting from Malawi.
She has also faced criticism this week from Jolie, who has adopted children from Cambodia and Ethiopia as well as having a daughter with actor Brad Pitt. Jolie said in a magazine interview she would have steered clear of adopting from a country where there was no legal framework for adoption.
But Madonna said she initiated the adoption, which she saw as "saving a life," despite the laws of adoption in Malawi being less than clear and little used.
She said only two countries in Africa - Ethiopia and Kenya - had clearly defined adoption rules with other African countries not used to dealing with such issues.
"We were basically creating the laws as we went," Madonna told TV host David Letterman on his CBS network "Late Show."
Madonna, who also has a 9-year-old daughter and 6six-year-old son, said she and her British film director husband, Guy Ritchie, had not expected the difficulties or controversy they had faced in the adoption.
"There's over a million orphans in Malawi, and in my opinion the laws need to change because these children need to be rescued," said Madonna.
Madonna said she was warned by a social worker that adopting a child from Malawi could be difficult. "She didn't say don't do it, but she just said expect challenges, and, boy, did we get them," said Madonna.
Liz denies tension with Jolie
Source: TeenHollywood- 12 January 2007Madonna's longtime representative Liz Rosenberg insists there is no tension between the pop star and Angelina Jolie because of comments the actress made about the singer to a French magazine.
Jolie was quoted in "Gala" magazine reportedly criticising Madonna's decision to adopt one-year-old David Banda from Malawi because there are no clear legal procedures.
Ironically, it was Jolie's boyfriend Brad Pitt who encouraged the Hung Up singer and husband Guy Ritchie to adopt when the two couples dined together last year.
But Rosenberg has hit out at reports of friction, telling American publication "Us Weekly", "I doubt Madonna is aware of Angelina's comments, and I don't think Angelina said anything bad.
"True, it might have been easier had Madonna adopted a child from another country, but Madonna doesn't shy away from things because they are difficult."
Jolie issued a statement on Monday, January 8, 2007, clarifying her statements to the magazine, saying, "The article included many falsehoods. I said many positive things that were omitted."
US catalog sales update
11 January 2007Thanx to HolidayGuy @ MadonnaNation we got the yearly update of Madonna's catalog album sales in the USA.
The first column represents the SoundScan total (1991-2006), the second is 2006's sales and the third is the percentage change from 2005.
Pre-SoundScan-Era Releases
Madonna: 419,960 (14,055) (+44.22%)
Like A Virgin: 533,845 (17,030) (+25.48%)
True Blue: 384,830 (8,720) (-7.84%)
Who's That Girl: 47,900 (1,745) (-)
You Can Dance: 257,595 (4,280) (-3.8%)
Like A Prayer: 557,725 (7,290) (+5.73%)
I'm Breathless: 233,395 (2,510 (-6.35%)
The Immaculate Collection: 5.508 million (142,580) (-13.62%)
SoundScan-Era Releases
Erotica: 1.881 million (5,775) (+4.4%)
Bedtime Stories: 2.301 million (3,760) (-2.1%)
Something To Remember: 2.073 million (10,565) (-15.22%)
Evita: 1.995 million (3,160) (-13.66%)
Ray Of Light: 3.812 million (16,815) (+6.06%)
Music: 2.913 million (8,525) (-5.74%)
GHV2: 1.356 million (26,295) (-10.28%)
American Life: 668,850 (6,425) (-35.1%)
Remixed & Revisited (EP): 123,780 (6,345) (-30.17%)
Confessions On A Dance Floor: 1.602 million
I'm Going To Tell You A Secret (CD+DVD): 73,745
Madonna defends O'Donnell in Trump flap
Source: MSNBC - 11 January 2007In her first-ever live TODAY interview, the pop princess discusses new motherhood, her new movie, and sticks up for her friend Rosie:
On this morning's TODAY, Madonna became the latest celebrity to weigh in on the Donald Trump-Rosie O'Donnell feud.
"People are giving Rosie a hard time. I wish they'd stop, I don't think it's fair" the singer told TODAY's Meredith Vieira in her first-ever live interview on the morning show.
The pop star said she first heard about the flap while on vacation in the Indian Ocean and immediately sent O'Donnell an email. The two have been good friends since they starred in 1992's A League of Their Own.
"I don't know exactly the context of what she said," Madonna told Vieira Thursday morning. "I have to hear it from the horse's mouth. She's a standup comic. All standup comics talk about provocative things in their monologues before shows."
The pop icon's remarks came during a wide-ranging interview that was delayed because the international superstar was late (she blamed it on her hair). Showing up without a coat because she was told about last week's unseasonably warm weather in New York, Madonna spoke about the latest developments in her own life - including the child she adopted and a new movie.
Madonna was in New York promoting her latest project, providing the voice of the beautiful Princess Selenia in the new animated feature Arthur and the Invisibles. Later in the day she was scheduled to host special screenings of the movie at two city charter schools.
The 48-year-old singer didn't discuss the headline-grabbing controversy surrounding her planned adoption of David Banda, a one-year-old boy from the impoverished African nation of Malawi. She also steered clear of any reference to Angelina Jolie's remarks about the adoption in a French gossip magazine. A furious Jolie has since told People magazine that her remarks were twisted.
Early last year, Madonna founded "Raising Malawi," an orphan care initiative to help Malawi's estimated one million orphans.
In an interview with Vieira that aired on TODAY in November, Madonna said all the attention on David's adoption was actually a blessing. 'Now people know about Malawi. Now people know about the orphans there. And now David's home."
In today's interview, the singer said that family life with three kids is "amazing" and that her daughter Lourdes, 10, babysits for David. (She also has a son Rocco, 6, with husband Guy Ritchie.)
Madonna said she enjoyed her role of Arthur and the Invisibles, in which she co-stars along with the voices of Robert De Niro, Jimmy Fallon, David Bowie, Mia Farrow, because it was a departure from fans' image of her.
"They perceive me as a queen, not a princess," Madonna joked. "And I don't normally fall in love with 10-year-olds."
The first animated feature by filmmaker Luc Besson ("La Femme Nikita," "The Fifth Element") is about a boy who sets out to save his family home from real estate developers after his grandfather disappears. Arthur discovers that he must follow his grandfather's clues to a vast treasure, and unlock the gateway to a new world filled with mysterious little people whose help he must enlist.
Madonna's character is one of the tiny people who help Arthur. Madonna herself has penned critically acclaimed children's books, including The Adventures of Abdi, The English Roses, and Lotsa de Casha.
Of her role she said: "I play a princess, which is new for me. I just loved the idea of playing a character where I can create a fantasy world that has nothing to do with who I am, or what people associate with me."
At the start of the interview at 8:39 a.m. ET, Madonna waved at the crowd outside the TODAY studio and asked 'Why are they up so early?" She said she had so far avoided a live interview on TODAY because "I don't like getting up and talking to people this early." She said she agreed to come on the show at the behest of the film's producer.
"I saw my career flashing before my eyes when they said you weren't here," Vieira told Madonna, when the star hadn't arrived at the studio quite in time for the planned 8:35 a.m. spot.
"I'm always seeing my career flash before my eyes," Madonna said of her chronic lateness.
When asked about her friendship with Britney Spears, with whom she shared an infamous kiss at the 2003 [VMAs], Madonna said the two have drifted apart. "We shared a kiss and I never saw her again. That's how it goes in my life," the singer joked.
After the interview Madonna headed outside to the plaza to greet fans.
Madonna, who lives mainly in England, told Vieira that she misses New York City. 'I keep telling my husband I want to come back here and I want to live here," she said.
Madonna's "new sound" *rumour*
Source: AskMen - 11 January 2007Madonna is to release a new album this year. The singer's producer Stuart Price has revealed the pair are currently working on a new record and has promised fans it will herald a "new sound" for Madonna.
Price - who masterminded her last LP Confessions On A Dance Floor which was both a critical and commercial success - has also revealed that the duo have enlisted the services of some of the biggest names in music.
He said: "We have been working with some of the top producers that are in fashion right now."
Although Price is refusing to divulge the names, rumours are rife that both Timbaland and Pharrell Williams could be among the collaborators.
Before the new album comes out Madonna, 48, will release a live album, 'The Confessions Tour Live From London', on January 29. A DVD of the recorded concert will also be available.
Madonna to host 'Invisibles' screening
Source: ElitesTV - 11 January 2007Madonna is making an surprise trip to the United State to host a special screening of her upcoming family film by Luc Besson, Arthur and the Invisibles Thursday afternoon for students of two charter schools in New York City that are supported by Robin Hood, KIPP and Achievement First.
Madonna co-stars in the larger-than-life, family adventure alongside Robert De Niro, Jimmy Fallon, David Bowie, Mia Farrow, Freddie Highmore, Emilio Estevez and Snoop Dogg. Using a dazzling new combination of live-action and ground-breaking CGI technology, Arthur and the Invisibles hits theaters nationwide this Friday, January 12th.
From the creative mind of talented filmmaker Luc Besson ("La Femme Nikita," "The Fifth Element") comes a larger-than-life, family adventure about a boy who, after his grandfather disappears, sets out to save his family home from emerging real estate developers.
Arthur learns that he must follow his grandfather's ancient clues to a vast treasure - and unlock the passageway to a spectacular new world filled with mysterious little people, so tiny they are considered invisible, and enlist their help.
But once in the magical land, Arthur must join swords with a beautiful princess and a reckless army of defenders to save the land from the evil wizard. It seems like an impossible task, but as he discovers along the way, sometimes the smallest heroes can make the biggest difference.
Arthur and the Invisibles was written and directed by Luc Besson and is based on the best selling children's book, "Arthur and the Minimoys." Arthur and the Invisibles is an MGM release of a Weinstein Company and Europacorp presentation of a Europacorp production in co-production with Avalanche Productions and Apipoulai Prod.
Warner press release of tour CD/DVD
Source: Warner Bros. Records via Yahoo - 10 January 2007
Madonna's record breaking Confessions Tour filmed at London's Wembley Arena during her worldwide sold-out 25-City run in 2006 is scheduled to be released as a DVD/CD on sale January 30th, it was announced today by Warner Bros. Records.
The highest-grossing tour ever by a female artist, "The Confessions Tour - Live from London" DVD, first broadcast on NBC last November, includes songs that span the course of Madonna's extraordinary career. Like A Virgin, Hung Up, Erotica and Music are just a few of the hits that can be seen on the DVD and heard on the bonus CD included in the package as well as several songs from her Confessions On A Dance Floor CD which debuted at No. 1 in 29 countries.
In addition, "The Confessions Tour" DVD includes bonus footage, which did not appear on the broadcast, including Madonna's early classic hit Lucky Star as well as the full unedited version of the controversial performance of Live To Tell. "The Confessions" DVD will have never before seen rehearsal footage and a unique photo gallery. The DVD was directed by Jonus Akerlund. The show was directed for the stage by Jamie King. Musical Director was Stuart Price.
"The pop spectacle of the year -- a politically charged combination of Cirque du Soleil, performance-art commentary and dance party explosion that more orless sums up everything she has been striving to say and show this decade... it's quite possibly the best production she's ever concocted," raved the Orange County Register in their review of Madonna's show.
Madonna is scheduled to appear on tomorrow's (January 11th) airing of "The Late Show with David Letterman," make a live appearance on the "Today" Show and "Live with Regis and Kelly" -- to promote the film, Arthur and The Invisibles -- and will also host a screening of the film in Tribecca.
"I want to turn the world into one big dance floor," claimed the Material Girl when The Confessions Tour began. Now, the singer, songwriter, video visionary, designer, producer, children's book author and artist, who has enthralled millions of fans all over the world and has sold 200 million plus CDs, is extending that commitment to the living rooms of the world.
Madonna.com confirms upcoming interviews
Source: Madonna.com - 10 January 2007Madonna has planned a visit with Meredith Vierra at the Today show on January 11th to discuss how she got animated for Arthur & The Invisibles! Madonna will sit down with Meredith in the studio for a live interview during the 8:30-9AM time slot.
Check NBC.com for local listings. What's a trip to New York without visiting Regis? Make sure to tune into to Live with Regis & Kelly at 9AM January 11th on ABC to hear more about Princess Selenia's adventures in the land of the Minimoy's.
Madonna makes surprise visit to USA
Source: The Weinstein Company via Yahoo - 10 January 2007Madonna is making an surprise trip to the United State to host a special screening of her upcoming family film by Luc Besson, Arthur and the Invisibles Thursday afternoon for students of two charter schools in New York City that are supported by Robin Hood, KIPP and Achievement First.
Madonna co-stars in the larger-than-life, family adventure alongside Robert De Niro, Jimmy Fallon, David Bowie, Mia Farrow, Freddie Highmore, Emilio Estevez and Snoop Dogg. Using a dazzling new combination of live-action and ground-breaking CGI technology, Arthur and the Invisibles hits theaters nationwide this Friday, January 12th.
~ Madonna is also slated to give an interview at Today's Show and Regis And Kelly on Thursday, 11th January.
Angelina feels misquoted
Source: UPI - 10 January 2007Actress Angelina Jolie has attempted to downplay comments she made to a French magazine regarding pop singer Madonna's controversial adoption.
People magazine said that the Hollywood actress, who has adopted two children from Cambodia and Ethiopia, claimed that her recent interview with Gala magazine contained many falsehoods where the "Vogue" singer was concerned.
"I said many positive things that were omitted," Jolie said. "I feel we must focus on the present and I encourage everyone to be supportive so that every child can adjust nicely to their new home."
While Madonna has received positive reports from the Malawian child welfare officer assigned to her adoption of 1-year-old David Banda, she has remained a target of adoption and human rights groups.
Jolie, who is no stranger to controversy due to her relationship with actor Brad Pitt, offered Madonna her sympathy and wished the singer's new child the best possible future, People said.
"I have been horrified by the attacks she's been subjected to," Jolie said. "All that should count is the happiness of her little David."
Making of Confessions Tour in animation
9 January 2007Thanx to geit @ MadonnaNation, we've just discovered this interesting website, showing concepts of the special effects used on the Confessions Tour, in computer generated graphics.
You can see the concepts of Madonna's arrival in Future Lovers, her saddle-riding during Like A Virgin and the infamous crucifixion segment of Live To Tell, both as a slideshow and as an animation.
New album, new sound? *rumour*
9 January 2007From x-staticboy1981, via DrownedMadonna:
"There was a brief comment from Stuart Price on the us television station E! in their weekly news segment. He stated that he is working with Madonna on a new record for the new year and that it is going to be quite a work of art, that they are building the sound on dance, R&B, and some rock 'n' roll, a totally new sound from their previous collaborations and that they were very excited to finish. He also said she has collaborated with some top producers that are in fashion right now."
~ Please note that there's no official info about an upcoming Madonna album this year yet.
Stefani modelled career after Madonna
Source: ContactMusic - 9 January 2007Gwen Stefani insists there is no bad blood between her and Madonna and freely admits she has used the pop superstar as a role model throughout her career. The What You Waiting For singer admits the two have much in common, including Italian-American heritage and British husbands. She tells the US edition of Elle magazine, "It is weird that we have all of these similarities.
Madonna's had us over for dinner and stuff, and she's always been very nice to me." Stefani admits the Hung Up singer seemed less-than-impressed when she first mentioned she was recording a solo album featuring dance tunes.
She adds, "I remember telling Madonna I was going to do an '80s dance record and she rolled her eyes, because I think when you've lived through it like she did, she's like, 'Whatever.' "But a lot of my influence came from her early work, like directly, like a Xerox."
Arthur loses spot for animated Oscar
Source: Reuters/Hollywood Reporter - 8 January 2007The race for this year's Oscar for best animated feature film just got significantly tighter. Although French filmmaker Luc Besson's Arthur and the Invisibles, which opens nationally on Friday, had appeared on the list of 16 contenders that was released November 13, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has dropped the film from consideration.
A mix of live-action and animation, the MGM/Weinstein release, in which a 10-year-old boy (played by Freddie Highmore) encounters tiny creatures called Minimoys, was deemed ineligible because the animated sequences didn't comprise at least 75 percent of the film's running time, which defines eligibility under the Academy's rules.
As a result, the list of films in contention has shrunk to 15. Under Academy rules, if there is a minimum of 16 eligible films, then it may nominate as many as five films. (The last time that occurred was in 2002.) But when the number dips below 16, the Academy may nominate a maximum of three films.
"I can confirm that that movie is ineligible for animated feature consideration. I believe it did not make the proportional requirement," Academy spokesman Leslie Unger said Sunday. "As a result, we will have a slate of three nominees in that category."
Remaining contenders include box office champs "Cars," "Ice Age: The Meltdown," "Happy Feet" and "Over the Hedge." Other eligible films include "The Ant Bully," "Barnyard," "Curious George," "Everyone's Hero," "Flushed Away," "Monster House," "Open Season," "Paprika," "Renaissance," "A Scanner Darkly" and "The Wild."
Word that Arthur had been eliminated first appeared late Friday on CartoonBrew.com. Nominations for the 79th Annual Academy Awards will be announced January 23.
Jolie criticises Madonna for her Malawi adoption
Source: Daily Telegraph - 8 January 2007Angelina Jolie, the Hollywood actress, has criticised Madonna for the way she adopted a 13-month-old child from Malawi.
She told the Paris-based magazine Gala that the singer should not have paid a visit to an impoverished African country last year with the sole intention of picking up David Banda. "Madonna knew the situation in Malawi, where he was born," said Jolie, 31, who has two children of her own from the Third World.
"It's a country where there is no real legal framework for adoption. Personally, I prefer to stay on the right side of the law."
Asked if the Madonna episode would put her off adopting more children of her own, Jolie said: "I have been horrified by the attacks she's been subjected to. All that should count is the happiness of her little David."
Jolie also revealed that she wants her 41-year-old boyfriend Brad Pitt, the film actor, to become the legal father of her adopted children, Maddox, five, who is originally from Cambodia, and Zahara, 23 months, originally from Ethiopia. The couple also have a biological daughter called Shiloh, who is six months old. Jolie ruled out the possibility of marriage to Pitt. Referring to her failed marriages to the actors Jonny Lee Miller and Billy Bob Thornton, Jolie said: "I've already done it. Two times and without success."
A spokesman for Madonna was unavailable for comment last night.
Malawi pleased with "loving mother" Madonna
Source: Reuters - 7 January 2007Malawi's government is happy with the way pop diva Madonna is looking after a one-year-old Malawian boy after her plans to adopt the child last year caused a storm of controversy, an official said on Friday.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Women and Child Welfare Adrina Mchiela told Reuters the government is satisfied so far at the way Madonna is looking after David Banda.
"We have been monitoring her and so far we see a loving mother in Madonna and David is very fine... the father should not be worried," Mchiela said.
Yohane Banda, David's father, this week said he wanted to talk to Madonna and find out how the child is doing.
Cyrus Jeke, the deputy director for Child Welfare in the Ministry, said a senior government official has been assigned to monitor how David is faring with Madonna and her husband, film director Guy Ritchie, with the help of the British government.
Neither Mchiela nor Jeke would disclose whether the official had visited Madonna's London home, where David has been living since October.
Madonna signed interim adoption papers when she and her husband visited in October on what they said was a humanitarian mission to help Malawi orphans.
David Banda, whose mother had died, was living in an orphanage and his father -- who initially voiced some questions about the process -- later said he supported it.
Under the interim order, David Banda was to stay with Madonna for 18 months during which time his progress would be monitored by Malawian officials before deciding whether final approval may be given for him to remain with her family.
Yohane Banda complained early this week that he does not have access to the American singer and wants to find out how his son is doing. But Mchiela said he would have to wait.
"Banda will have a chance to see his child again after 18 months elapses because Madonna will have to come back to Malawi for the court to rule whether she can get full custody of the child. He need not worry," Mchiela said.
A Scottish well wisher last week gave Banda a check of 400 pounds ($775) sterling to help him get in touch with Madonna and get to talk to his child.
Madonna's adoption of the child grabbed world headlines and caused some rights groups in Malawi to question whether she had used her celebrity to bypass laws governing the adoption of Malawians by foreigners -- an argument denied by her lawyers.
The adoption controversy has helped to spotlight the plight of orphans in Malawi, where more than 900,000 children are orphaned and another 500,000 have lost at least one parent, many of them to the country's devastating HIV/ AIDS pandemic.
Oprah defends Madonna adoption
Source: ContactMusic - 4 January 2007US talk show queen Oprah Winfrey has leaped to the defence of pop superstar Madonna, insisting her adoption of a Malawian tot was an "amazing" act. Winfrey visited Africa herself earlier this week (01JAN07) to open a school for disadvantaged girls in South Africa and she can't understand why Madonna's charity to baby David Banda has received so much criticism in the press.
Speaking on British current affairs show Newsnight yesterday (03JAN07) Winfrey said, "I applaud Madonna. I think it's an amazing thing that she did, and it makes me sick that people criticise her, because there are millions of children in this world who will die because no one came to save them. "I think she deserves praise and applause and not to be criticised." Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie were granted interim adoption of David in October (06).
Best wishes!
1 January 2007The Mad-Eyes team wishes you all the best for 2007! Eventhough there's no new album or tour planned this year, we do hope 2007 will be filled with lots of Madonna madness!
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