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| July 3, 2008: "Long Before Madonna Entered Alex Rodriguez’s Life, There Was Monique"
More details are emerging about A-Rod’s fixation on the striking brown-haired Brazilian dancer four years ago. “He would come in maybe once a week if he wasn’t on the road,” Joe Goncalves, manager of the VIP strip club in Chelsea, told The Post’s Dan Mangan. “He would go straight to one of our private rooms . . . She was the only girl he ever was interested in.” He said the two “would stay at least for a couple of hours” in the room, which cost $900 per hour. The slugger stopped visiting the jiggle joint around the same time Page Six reported his fondness for Monique in 2004. *** July 2, 2008: "Madonna's Rep Denies Divorce And Affair Reports" Music icon Madonna's rep has once again denied divorce rumors that surrounds her client and her husband Guy Ritchie's marriage. In an exclusive statement to People magazine, spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg refutes the reports saying Madonna is divorcing her "Snatch" director husband and that she already has someone else in her life. She says, "Madonna's husband Guy arrived in New York last night to be with his wife and family (not in a last ditch attempt to save his marriage which does not need saving). There are no plans for Madonna and Guy to divorce." The rep also explains the "Hard Candy" star's true relationship with New York Yankees player Alex Rodriguez. Reports suggest that the Madonna is seeing the baseball star while she is seeing top divorce lawyer Fiona Shackleton to work on her split with Ritchie. Rosenberg explains, "Madonna and Alex have the same manager. They have met. They know each other and Madonna took her kids to a Yankees game last week. There's really not anything to comment on beyond that." *** July 1, 2008: "Divorce Whispers Grow Louder For Madonna And Guy Richie" Madonna and Guy Ritchie's accountants have reportedly been asked to organize the couple's assets ahead of their rumored divorce. The couple - who are not believed to have a pre-nuptial agreement - are said to have asked celebrity accountancy firm MGR to put their affairs in order. A source close to the couple revealed to Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "MGR will have to prepare documents on what they own separately and what they share together so the lawyers can work out what kind of settlement they will be awarded." "They have huge assets, including a $14 million house in London and a property in the country. Madonna seems to be sticking to her guns and will want this done as swiftly as possible." *** July 1, 2008: "Alex Rodriguez Making Late-Night Visits to Madonna’s Apartment" Us Weekly reports in its new issue, on newsstands tomorrow, that Madonna’s seven-year marriage to Guy Ritchie has stalled out – and the singer has been hosting late-night visits from New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez at her Central Park West apartment in New York City. A ringless and grim-faced Ritchie, 39, arrived in New York City from London yesterday after several weeks apart from his family. A source tells Us that the $28-million-a-year Rodriguez, 32, has made numerous solo nighttime visits to Madonna, 49, at her spacious home and would sneak out “as late as midnight.” Says the source, “All the doormen are talking.” Rodriguez attended Madonna’s April 30 NYC concert; the singer sat in his seats at a Yankees game on June 22 (it was the first time she ever was photographed at a Yankees game). Her son Rocco, 7, also sported Yankees gear on June 25 while playing in Central Park. Rodriguez, married with two young daughters, has already faced speculation about cheating: In 2007, he and a stripper were reportedly spied in Toronto, Miami and Dallas. Complicating matters: Former Yankee slugger Jose Canseco – who once dated Madonna – wrote in his book Vindicted that he “hates [A-Rod’s] guts” because he once hit on his wife. Madonna has been in NYC since the venerable Times of London confirmed that she consulted the same high-profile divorce attorney who worked with Paul McCartney and Prince Charles. Meanwhile, Us confirms Ritchie has also sought legal advice from Forsters law firm in London. Check out the new issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now, for exclusive details about Madonna’s surprising friendship with A-Rod, how she fell in and out of love with Ritchie, what divorce would mean for her $600 million estate, and why a reconciliation isn’t out of the question. *** June 30, 2008: "Madonna's Brother Making Reality TV Show?" MADONNA’s brother is set to further embarrass the pop star - he’s reportedly planning a reality TV show based on his life as her sibling. It was announced earlier this month that Christopher Ciccone is writing a tell-all memoir about the superstar, to be published without her permission, with infamous celebrity biographer Wendy Leigh. And now Ciccone, 47, is allegedly shopping around a show that will focus on the fact he’s her brother. A source tells New York gossip column Page Six, “He hasn’t gotten a deal yet, but he’s been pitching it around.” *** June 27, 2008: "Madonna Meets With Divorce Lawyer" Madonna has met with high-powered British divorce attorney Fiona Shackleton, The Times of London reports. (Shackleton represented Paul McCartney in his split from Heather Mills. He ended up paying Mills only $48.6 million of the $160 million sought by Mills.) One lawyer told The Times that Madonna, 49, had met with Shackleton after approaching another firm. (Guy Ritchie, 39, had been rumored “to have had dealings with a lesser-known Mayfair law firm, Forsters,” according to The Times.) When contacted by Usmagazine, her rep said: “No comment at this time, darling.” It is believed that the couple (who wed in 2000) did not have a prenup, according to The Times. (Madonna is worth an estimated $600 million.) *** June 26, 2008: "Madonna And Guy Vacation In Italy But Sleep In Separate Rooms" Madonna and Guy Ritchie enjoyed a three-day break in Italy - but slept in separate rooms. The couple left their children, Lourdes, 11, Rocco, seven and two-year-old David with a nanny while they visited Milan at the end of last week. However, the pair reportedly slept in separate rooms and are said to have spent very little time together. A source close to the couple told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "They had completely separate rooms, schedules, everything. It was all very well organized but it's not a marriage the way most people understand it." "They have this attitude like, 'We're not really a couple but we're friends and we love each other and raise our kids.' But the truth is they annoy each other, don't agree on anything, don't see each other or live 'together' as they did." Madonna, 49, used the trip to visit fashion designers to source costumes for her forthcoming world tour, while Guy, 39, was working on a new commercial with actor George Clooney. It was reported yesterday that Madonna had hired Fiona Shackleton, the lawyer who represented Sir Paul McCartney in his split from Heather Mills, to handle her and Guy's alleged divorce. A spokesperson for the singer has refused to comment on the claims. *** June 25, 2008: "Madonna Reportedly Hires Paul McCartney's Divorce Lawyer" Madonna has reportedly hired the divorce lawyer who represented Sir Paul McCartney. Madonna was said to be impressed by Fiona Shackleton's handling of the former Beatle's bitter battle with ex-wife Heather Mills and wants her to represent her case against Guy Ritchie. A friend of the singer insists Fiona is the natural choice for Madonna, telling Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "Madonna always seeks out the best in whatever field she is interested in at any given time. Fiona Shackleton is the best." Madonna had been hoping to resolve their difference but has reportedly realized their relationship is irreparable, she needed a proper legal consultation. One friend of the lawyer - who also represented Prince Charles in his divorce from Princess Diana - said: "Madonna was impressed by Fiona's work for Sir Paul and the way she handles herself in the public eye. She is a consummate professional." *** June 24, 2008: "Madonna Planning Split From Husband After World Tour" Madonna will split from husband Guy Ritchie at the end of her forthcoming world tour, it has been claimed. Madonna have reportedly decided to end their seven-year marriage but will not make an announcement until her 'Sticky and Sweet' tour finishes in Mexico on November 29. A source close to the couple told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "Although the marriage is coming to an end, they don't want to say anything until the tour is over." "They live like brother and sister rather than husband and wife and thought it best to call it a day. There's been speculation about them having furious fights, but they have just grown apart. They've decided they're better off as friends. It's sad, but they're determined to keep it amicable." Madonna, 49, is said to be planning to split her time between her properties in London, New York and Los Angeles after the separation. Her New York apartment is being extended and renovated to accommodate her children and staff. *** June 13, 2008: "Madonna's Brother To Write Tell-All Book About Sister" Madonna's brother Christopher Ciccone is to release a tell-all memoir about the star. The TV chef will release Life With My Sister Madonna in mid-July. Publisher Simon & Schuster said: "Ciccone's extraordinary memoir is based on his life and 47 years of growing up with and working with his sister - the most famous woman in the world." However, Madonna is rumoured to be so upset about the possible revelations in the book that she has contacted lawyers in London to discuss her legal options. A source told E! blogger Marc Malkin: "When she was meeting with lawyers and everyone was saying it was because she wanted to divorce Guy, she was really meeting with them to get the book killed." Madonna's spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg denied that any meetings have taken place. *** May 26, 2008: "Madonna’s Interview With ABC in Cannes" Madonna’s revealing and in-depth one on one interview with ABC News’ Cynthia McFadden in Cannes was aired on Nightline on Thursday. Here are some of what Madonna said: On Turning 50: McFadden: Is it just a number? Most women will not say how much they weigh. My age doesn’t bother me. My weight I would never tell. Do you care about it as a number? Madonna: If I didn’t feel good and wasn’t doing what I wanted to do with my life maybe that would bother me. But I feel good about what I’m doing. I feel like in a way it’s given me a feeling of accomplishment for living this long and to still be able to do what I want to do and feel as good as I do. It’s a blessing. McFadden: Do you have a birthday wish? Madonna: No. I don’t. I’m not thinking about my birthday? Why’s everyone rushing me over the finish line? McFadden: Oh, because we have you here to torture. Madonna: No, I’m not thinking about my birthday. I’m thinking about what I’m going to eat for dinner tonight. That’s my future plan. On her looks: Madonna: I don’t look at old pictures of myself. McFadden: You don’t? From the old days? Madonna: I don’t look at pictures of myself from last week. Once I’ve approved of them, they’re gone. McFadden: So you don’t feel any competition with the Madonna of old? Madonna: I like the way I look better now. McFadden: What do you like better? Madonna: My thighs aren’t as chubby. I’m not kidding. I’m being perfectly honest with you. McFadden: You say in one of the lyrics on your new album, “I feel beautiful when I’m dancing.” Madonna: Yeah, I have been dancing a lot lately. That’s probably why I like my thighs better. McFadden: But do you feel beautiful the rest of the time too or not? How do you see yourself? Madonna: I see myself as practical and handsome and useful. I don’t think of myself as a great beauty. But I think of myself as stylish. On Working with Justin Timberlake and Pharell on her new album: McFadden: You beat Elvis’ record. More songs in the top ten than any other… Madonna: Yeah! That’s the record to beat. McFadden: You hear something like that, and what do you think? Madonna: Then I go back to work. That’s my reaction. Not that I am going to rest on my laurels, but now I really have to do even better. I think that’s why I decided to do this record with Justin Timberlake, and Pharell. Because they have strong personalities. You could say they’re divas in their own right. McFadden: You’re used to being the only diva on the premises. Madonna: Well, like in the square footage. McFadden: Well, in the recording studio? Madonna: Yeah. McFadden: Well what was it like to sit down and write with these guys who are divas of their own? Madonna: Well, we all had our hiccups where we jockeyed for positions and we tried to get to know each other because song writing is a very intimate experience. I would say there were a few uncomfortable moments. Madonna: But with Pharell, he actually made me cry. I’ve never told anyone that before. There. Out with it. Headlines [gesturing]. McFadden: Why did he make you cry? Madonna: I don’t know. I think I was just having a bad day. You know when you’re not fine. You know sometimes when you just burst into tears for no reason? McFadden: In front of him? Madonna: I did right there in front of him. On Adoption and her son David, whom she spotted in the arms of a young girl at an orphanage: McFadden: Is that when you fell in love? Madonna: The first time that I saw him [David], she was carrying him. And that was the moment when it all rack focused for me. ‘Oh my God, she’s 8 and she’s taking care of a six month old child and so first I was drawn to her. Where does she get her strength from? And then I was drawn to him and I started carrying him around for her. When I came back the next time, that’s when he was ill and that’s when I really knew that I had a connection to him. On discovering Malawi: Madonna: Well, I went to Malawi thinking I am going to save these people. I’m gonna build orphan care centers and come to their rescue. And I am going to do what I should be doing, sharing my experience, sharing my wealth with people who don’t. And I went there thinking well I don’t and we don’t. Because I don’t have that joy, that appreciation. I do in moments but not on a regular basis. I’ve never seen so much sort of tangible suffering, but I’ve never experienced so much joy and openness. *** May 25, 2008: "Madonna’s Fight With Pharell Williams" Madonna cried with rage after an angry studio bust-up with producer Pharrell Williams. The couple fought while collaborating on Madonna’s new album Hard Candy, and the Material Girl was shocked Williams was brave enough to stand up to her. Madonna reveals, “Pharrell made me cry. You know when you get angry with someone and you’re spitting snot.”I was in a sensitive mood in the studio and I didn’t understand the rhythm he wanted me to sing in, and he was giving me a hard time.”I was taken back by how he was talking to me.” Rather than walk away, the pair decided to clear the air, and patch things up, and they are now firm friends. Madonna adds, “We went upstairs and I said, ‘You can’t talk to me like that,’ and burst into tears. And he said, ‘Oh my God, Madonna has a heart.’ “We had it out and now I love him and we make great music together.” *** May 21, 2008: "Madonna’s Tyson team" Madonna is joining forces with Mike Tyson for a charity campaign. Madonna and the Mike Tyson will fly to Malawi, Africa, together to promote awareness of children with HIV and AIDS after meeting at the Cannes Film Festival in France, where they are each promoting their documentary films. A source told Britain’s Daily Mirror newspaper: “Madonna thinks Mike is amazing and asked if she could have a private screening of his documentary ‘Tyson’ while she was in the Riviera. “Mike agreed immediately and offered to do a favour in return. He has promised to fly with her to Malawi this summer to promote awareness of children with AIDS there.” Madonna, 49, produced and narrated the film ‘I Am Because We Are’, which highlights the plight of Malawi’s one million orphans who suffer from the deadly disease. *** May 10, 2008: "Malawi Set To Approve Madonna Adoption" Authorities in Malawi are set to grant full adoption rights of an African boy to Madonna, a high court official indicated Friday, citing a leaked document. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the court in Lilongwe would hear a full review on May 15 of an 18-month interim custody order granted in 2006 for Madonna to adopt David Banda. The court had also received recommendations from the ministry of women and child development to make the adoption permanent. The document, referring to Madonna's filmmaker husband Guy Ritchie and herself, said: "Mr and Mrs Ritchie have shown a strong commitment in providing the infant with all essential needs like love, safe home environment, care, protection, material as well as emotional support." *** May 2, 2008: "Madonna Confirms World Tour!" Madonna has confirmed a world tour starting in the Fall this year. Speaking on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show today Madonna confirmed the news and said that dates and venues would be announced soon! *** April 21, 2008: "Madonna, Charles, Celine Dion and the Duchess of Cornwall Are They Related?" According to a family tree site ancestry.co.uk there is a link between Madonna, Charles, Celine Dion and the Duchess of Cornwall. All of them are linked to a French carpenter called Zacharie Cloutier who lived in the 17th century. Zacharie settled in New France, Quebec in 1634, the records show, hence starting the Canadian lineage to Celine Dion. The family went became one of the most influential families in Canada. The link now between Charles, Camilla, Madonna and Celine Dion is extremely distant. Zacharie Cloutier is estimated to have more than 11,000 people today linking back to him. *** April 20, 2008: "Madonna's Big Pay Day" Madonna rocketed to fame and fortune on so-so singing talent because she knew how to push the envelope on pop culture. But overlooked is the fact that the Material Girl is a shrewd businesswoman. She reportedly is negotiating a deal to wrap up her world tour in oil-rich Dubai where money (our money from oil sales) is no object. London tabs are reporting that she'll get $14 million, or roughly $170,000 per minute, for a 90 minute concert. Then she’s putting on a private performance, her first ever, for an emir who will pay her close to $10 million. Madonna left her long time record label and signed a $120 million deal with concert promoter Live Nation last year. Leave it to Madonna to find a way to cash in on all that money Americans are paying at the pump for Arab oil. Actually, leave it to Live Nation. *** April 7, 2008 : "Madonna is set to adopt a baby from India" The ‘4 Minutes’ singer - who is in the final stages of formally adopting two-year-old Malawian son David Banda - is keen to open her home to a disadvantaged Indian tot after she fell in love with the country following her visit this year. During the trip - on which Madonna was accompanied by husband Guy Ritchie, David and her two other children Lourdes, 11, and seven-year-old Rocco - the family spoke to Bollywood choreographer Sandip Soparrkar, who has adopted an Indian baby.Sandip said: “We spoke about how there are so many children in India who need homes.” Madonna - who has given up her attempt to adopt a little girl from Africa after growing frustrated with the process - and Guy initially clashed over the idea but they have now decided it will be good for the family. A source told Britain’s The Sun newspaper: “Madonna was very taken with Sandip. He told her there were orphans who would melt her heart. Guy was against the idea, but when she wants something, she gets it. “After the stress of adopting David, Guy thought Madonna was mad to want to go through it all again. But they talked and talked and decided adopting a baby from India would be easier.” *** March 31, 2008: "Madonna To Star In Casablanca Remake" Madonna is reportedly considering starring in a remake of the Hollywood classic, Casablanca. A source said, “She is still determined to make it in the movies. She and her representatives have been touting around a project which is a remake of Casablanca. The reception has been lukewarm to say the least. No one can understand why she wants to redo what many people consider the greatest film of all time. Madonna is talking about taking the Ingrid Bergman role for herself, even though Bergman was in her 20s when she played Ilsa and Madonna is nearly 50 … there is no script yet.” Madonna’s spokeswoman refused to comment. April 4, 2008: "Madonna’s Adoption of David Nearly Final " Madonna is thisclose to having her adoption of David Banda approved. The Malawian government is now urging its High Court to give the go-ahead, Reuters reports. A confidential document, dated March 25, and signed by Probation Officer S. Chisale at the Ministry of Women and Child Development, says that Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie are providing a good home for Banda. “In the best interest of the child, I do recommend the petitioners to your lordship for your consideration that they be granted an adoption order having proved that they are suitable parents and satisfied the conditions in the interim adoption order,” says Chisale.After the singer began proceedings to adopt the child she first met in a Malawian orphanage in 2006, the 2-year-old boy subsequently left Africa to live with Madonna and her family in their London home. But the formalities of adopting him have proved complex and controversial. Critics have charged that the Malawi government is skirting its own laws banning non-residents from adopting children by giving Madonna preferential treatment. Malawian Information Minister Patricia Kaliati previously praised Madonna’s efforts to rally support for orphans in the impoverished, AIDS-ravaged country and, in February 2008, said it would be wrong for the government to deny the pop star’s adoption. *** March 18, 2008: "Madonna denies rumors of a split with Guy Ritchie" Madonna has dismissed reports that her marriage is on the rocks. Madonna’s rep, Liz Rosenberg dashed the rumors that her marriage to film director Guy Ritchie is in trouble, saying: “I am delighted to confirm that Mr and Mrs Guy Ritchie remain happily married. Though they were in different countries recently - Madonna in the US doing promotion for her upcoming album Hard Candy and Guy finishing up post-production on his new film RocknRolla as well as completing a Nike commercial and working on several scripts in England - the family are joyfully back together at home in London." “All is well and wonderful in the Ritchie household.” The couple have a son, Rocco, 7, and Madonna has a daughter, Lourdes, 11. *** March 16, 2008: "Madonna And Guy Ritchie To Announce Split In 18 Months? Madonna And Children Moving To New York?" Madonna and Guy Ritchie’s marriage is fizzling out, if the latest rumours are to be believed. Apparently Madonna and Guy have decided to separate, but they are not announcing the decision for 18 months. Guy Ritchie didn’t attend Madonna’s induction to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in America recently, which further added to the rumours of trouble in their marriage. A source reportedly said, “Madonna and Guy are over. It’s all very amicable. They’ve just fallen out of love with each other. They just think it’s for the best as after some great years together they’ve been going their separate ways. Madonna’s been recording her new album Hard Candy, and Guy has been trying to focus on putting a decent film out, so they are heading down different paths. Guy has failed to show up at events which are important to Madge. He just hasn’t taken as much interest as he has previously in what she’s doing.” Apparently the pub they recently purchased was actually nothing to do with Madonna. It was Guy and his friends Guy Pelly and Piers Adams who splashed out for the Punchbowl in Mayfair, London. A source said, “Guy decided to make the move for the pub without her because he loves it and can’t wait to put his sense of style into it.” Madonna is apparently planning to move yo New York with her children Lourdes, 11, Rocco, 7, and David, 2. A source said, “They’ll try to keep things under wraps for the moment, but Guy will remain living in London and Madonna is set for New York with the kids. Guy will get as much access as he wants because there hasn’t been a massive falling-out. They’re agreeing to part on the best of terms. She has finally made the decision to go to America and has instructed her staff to prepare for the move. Everything will go, except Guy.” *** March 15, 2008: "Madonna To Debut New Song ‘4 Minutes To Save The World’ In Sunsilk Advert" Madonna is reportedly set to debut her new song, ‘4 Minutes To Save The World’, in a commercial for a Sunsilk hair styling product. According to a press release from Unilever, Sunsilk’s manufacturers, the advert called ‘Life Can’t Wait’, “will include the music of Madonna’s new single.” Madonna has reportedly also appeared in Sunsilk’s first commercial in this series, she appears alongside Marilyn Monroe and Shakira. The first ad debuted during the Superbowl in February. The new ad will air on 17th March. Madonna reportedly earnt £5 million for the use of her image and hit song ‘Ray of Light’ in a new Sunsilk ad, which explains why she’s using this campaign to launch her latest track. Madonna’s new track is a duet with Justin Timberlake, it was produced by Timbaland. Justin and Timbaland both worked with Madonna on her new album, ‘Hard Candy’. *** March 12, 2008: "Madonna's Ecstasy Confession" Madonna revealed she once took ecstasy, during her acceptance speech at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last night (10.03.08). The pop superstar made the shock confession as she was inducted at New York's Waldorf-Astoria hotel. She also confessed to smoking marijuana. After accepting the prestigious accolade from Justin Timberlake, Madonna said: "The night I met Michael Rosenblatt, who signed me to Sire Records, I jammed my demo tape into his hand, we both did a tab of ecstasy and then we danced the night away." The 'Material Girl' singer spoke of her cannabis experiences when she recalled the night she met long-term publicist Liz Rosenberg, adding: "We smoked a joint together." *** * Madonna feat Justin Timberlake & Timbaland - 4 Minutes Video * * Madonna - Love Profusion Video Clip * * Madonna - Hung Up * Match 4, 2008: "Madonna was Initially Hesitant About Hall Of Fame Honour, Now She’s Flattered" Madonna will be inducted into the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall Of Fame on the 10 March 2008. Justin Timberlake is expected to introduce Madonna at the New York City ceremony and Iggy Pop (James Newell Osterberg) and The Stooges have agreed to perform punked up versions of her hits as a tribute to her. James ~ Iggy Pop and Madonna are both from Detroit, they became friends when Iggy opened for her at the Dublin, Ireland, date of her Reinvention Tour in 2004. Meanwhile, Damien Rice and Patti LaBelle will perform musical tributes to Leonard Cohen and songwriters Gamble & Huff at the induction ceremony. Damien Rice and Patti LaBelle are expected to perform musical tributes to Leonard Cohen, and songwriters Gamble & Huff at the induction ceremony. Madonna was originally hesitant about receiving her tribute, but later said of her induction, “I heard about it and I kind of felt ambivalent, like, ‘What is that, the place they put musical dinosaurs?’ I didn’t really know what to think of it. But then lots of people explained to me that it’s an acknowledgement of singers and songwriters who have made a contribution in the world of music for 25 years, and so eventually I came around to the idea that it was flattering. It’s to recognise 25 years of writing, producing and recording. That’s a long time to do a job well, I might add. So yeah, it’s a great sense of accomplishment!” *** March 2, 2008: "Madonna Purchase Pub In Mayfair" Madonna and her hubby Guy Ritchie have reportedly bought themselves a pub. The pub they purchased for a reported £2.5million is The Punchbowl in Farm Street, Mayfair, London paid. A friend of Madonna’s said, “She absolutely adores the pub. They pop in regularly to get away from it all. Madonna loves the beer and Guy meets all his pals down there. They have been desperate to own this place for a long time and have been making offers on it for ages. Now it has finally happened. It’s only around the corner from their West End home. She will be the most glamorous landlady alive. Guy winds her up by calling her Bet Lynch, like the Coronation Street barmaid. They both just crack up at the idea.” *** February 28, 2008: "Madonna Reveals New Album Title 'Hard Candy'" Madonna has revealed the name of her upcoming album, Hard Candy. The new album apparently features up-tempo dance sounds with hip hop undertones, no doubt influenced by Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, Timbaland, and Justin Timberlake who reportedly all worked with Madonna on the collection. This is to be Madonna’s last album for Warner Bros. She is leaving the Warner Bros label after 26 years, having recently signed a 10 year multi-million pound deal with concert promoter Live Nation. Madonna’s representative Liz Rosenberg said, “Madonna loves candy. The name of the album is about the juxtaposition of tough and sweetness, or as Madonna so eloquently expresses it, ‘I’m going to kick you’re a**, but it’s going to make you feel good.’” The first single from the collection will be Four Minutes, co-written by Justin Timberlake and produced by Pharrell Williams. Hard Candy is expected to hit the shop shelves on 28 April. *** February 27, 2008: "Angelina Jolie and Madonna still fighting" Last year Madonna adopt a little girl from Malawi and this was criticized by Angelina Jolie. This cause enemies between them. Angelina Jolie said this about Madonna's adoption 'Madonna knew the situation in Malawi, where he was born.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. I would never take a child away from a place where adoption is illegal.' According to source to Star Magazine, in early February, Madonna held a party to help raise millions for UNICEF and her charity, 'Raising Malawi' and she had hoped Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt would attend it. But at that moment, Angie didn't attend and she was in Iraq. But an insider claims even she wasn't in Iraq, she wouldn't want to attend the party because “she wants nothing to do with Madonna. Angelina believes Madonna is after attention for herself.” *** Music Singer, songwriter, record producer, film producer, musician, dancer, author and actress Madonna picture(s)/pic(s), wallpaper and photo gallery, albums covers pictures. Birth name: Madonna Louise Ciccone. Also known as: Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone Ritchie. Born: 16 August 1958 Bay City, Michigan, USA. Height: 5' 4½" (1.64 m). Measurements: 34C-23-33. Nickname: -Nonnie. -Maddy. -Mo. -The Material Girl. -Madge. -Esther. Spouse(s): -Guy Ritchie (22 December 2000 - present) they have one child. -Sean Penn (16 August 1985 - 14 September 1989) (divorced). Madonna biography (bio): Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie is better known as Madonna, is an American dance-pop singer-songwriter, record and film producer, dancer, actress, author and fashion icon. She is noted for her ambitious music videos and stage performances as well as using political, sexual, and religious themes in her work. The Guinness World Records lists Madonna as the most successful female recording artist of all time. She has sold an estimated 200 million albums and 75 million singles worldwide. Madonna is the highest earning female singer of all time according to both the 2007 Guinness Book of Records, and Billboard Magazine. Forbes magazine has estimated her net worth at $325 million. In addition, Madonna holds the record for the top-grossing concert tour by a female artist. Early life: Madonna Louise Ciccone was born in Bay City, Michigan. She was the third of eight children (her siblings are Martin, Anthony, Christopher, Paula, Melanie, Mario, and Jennifer) born to Silvio "Tony" Ciccone, an Italian-American Chrysler engineer whose parents originated from Pacentro, and Madonna Louise Fortin, who was of Québécois descent. She was raised in a Catholic family in the Detroit suburbs of Pontiac and Avon Township (now Rochester Hills). Madonna's mother died of breast cancer at age 30 on December 1, 1963. Her father later married the family housekeeper, Joan Gustafson, and they had two children together. Madonna convinced her father to allow her to take ballet classes. Her ballet teacher, Christopher Flynn, exposed Madonna to gay discotheques. She attended Rochester Adams High School, where she was a straight-A student and a member of the cheerleading squad. She left the University of Michigan at the end of her sophomore year in 1978 and moved to New York City to pursue a dance career. Madonna has said: "When I came to New York it was the first time I'd ever taken a plane, the first time I'd ever gotten a taxi-cab, the first time for everything. And I came here with $35 in my pocket. It was the bravest thing I'd ever done." She had little money and for some time lived in squalor, working low-paying jobs including a stint at Dunkin' Donuts. She also worked as a nude model. She studied with Martha Graham and Pearl Lang, and later performed with several modern dance companies, including Alvin Ailey and the Walter Nicks dancers. While performing as a dancer for the French disco artist Patrick Hernandez on his 1979 world tour, Madonna became involved with the musician Dan Gilroy, with whom she later formed her first rock band, the Breakfast Club. In it, she sang and played drums and guitar before forming the band Emmy in 1980 with drummer and former boyfriend Stephen Bray. She and Bray wrote and produced dance songs that brought her local attention in New York dance clubs. DJ and record producer Mark Kamins was impressed by her demo recordings, so he brought them to the attention of Sire Records founder Seymour Stein. Professional career: 1980–1985: Rise to fame: In 1982, Madonna signed a singles deal with Sire Records (a new wave label belonging to Warner Bros. Records) in the United States that paid her $5,000 per song. Her first release (April 24, 1982), "Everybody", a self-written song produced by Mark Kamins, became a hit on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Chart but failed to make the Billboard Hot 100. It also gained airplay on U.S. R&B radio stations, leading many to assume that Madonna was a black artist. The double-sided 12" vinyl single featuring "Burning Up" and "Physical Attraction" followed in 1983, and was a success on the U.S. dance charts. These results convinced Sire Records' executives to finance an album. Her debut album, Madonna, a collection of dance songs, was primarily produced by Reggie Lucas, but in the process both realized they could not work well together. After initial production on the album was completed, Madonna took the record to her then boyfriend, John "Jellybean" Benitez, who remixed and rearranged it. It reached number eight on the U.S. albums chart and contained three successful Hot 100 singles, "Holiday", "Borderline", and "Lucky Star". At the time of its release, Madonna sold three million copies worldwide, one million of those in the U.S. It has since been certified with current sales of 8 million worldwide. As Madonna rose to fame, several young females became increasingly influenced by and dressed in her fashions portrayed in photographs, live performances and music videos. Defined by lace tops, skirts over Capri pants, fishnet stockings, jewelry bearing the Christian cross, and bleached hair, this distinctive style became an iconic female fashion trend in the 1980s. Her follow up album, Like a Virgin, was an international success, and became her first number one album on the U.S. albums chart. Buoyed by the success of its title track, Like a Virgin, which reached number one in the U.S. (with a six week stay at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart as well as hit singles with "Material Girl" (#2 US, kept out of the number one spot by USA for Africa's "We Are the World" single), "Angel", and "Dress You Up", the album sold twelve million copies at its time of release and currently stands at 19 million copies worldwide and produced four top-five singles in the U.S. and the UK. Her performance of the song at the first MTV Video Music Awards, during which she writhed on the stage (on top of a wedding cake) wearing a combination bustier/wedding gown, lacy stockings, garters, and her then-trademark "Boy Toy" belt, as well as the first of several public displays that boosted Madonna's fan base as much as they incensed some critics, who felt that her provocative style attempted to disguise an absence of talent. In 1985, Madonna entered mainstream films, beginning with a brief appearance as a club singer in the film Vision Quest. The soundtrack to the film contained her second number one pop hit, the Grammy-nominated ballad "Crazy for You", as well as the UK hit "Gambler". Later that year she appeared in the commercially and critically successful film Desperately Seeking Susan, with her comedic performance winning her positive reviews. The film introduced the dance song "Into the Groove", which was released as a B-side to her single "Angel", peaking at number five in the U.S. and becoming a major hit internationally, and her first number one in the UK. Madonna embarked on her first concert tour in the U.S. in 1985 titled The Virgin Tour, with opening act The Beastie Boys. In July 1985, Penthouse and Playboy magazines published a number of black and white nude photos of Madonna taken in the late 1970s. The publications caused a swell of public discussion of Madonna, who at first tried to block them from being published, but later remained unapologetic and defiant. Speaking to a global audience at the outdoor Live Aid charity concert at the height of the controversy, Madonna made a critical reference to the media and stated she would not take her jacket off, despite the heat, because "they might hold it against me ten years from now". Madonna later appeared on the cover of the NY Post newspaper quoted saying about the photographs "I'm NOT ashamed." 1986–1991: Artistic development: Madonna's 1986 album True Blue presented a more musically and thematically mature album than its predecessors, prompting Rolling Stone to declare, "singing better than ever, Madonna stakes her claim as the pop poet of lower-middle-class America." The album included the soulful ballad "Live to Tell", which she wrote for the film At Close Range, starring then-husband Sean Penn. The album was also the first to credit her as producer. She collaborated with composer Patrick Leonard, who would become a long-time collaborator and friend. True Blue reached #1 in various countries and sold over eleven million copies worldwide at its time of release. It spawned five successful singles, which all reached the top five on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart: "Live to Tell", "Papa Don't Preach", "Open Your Heart", "True Blue" and "La Isla Bonita". The music videos for the album displayed Madonna’s continued interest in pushing the boundaries of the video medium to a cinematic level, including elaborate art direction, cinematography, and film devices such as character and plot. Though Madonna had already made videos expressing her sexuality, she added religious iconography, gender archetypes, and social issues to her oeuvre, and these concepts would carry through her work for years to come. One notable example was the "Open Your Heart" video, her first collaboration with French photographer Jean-Baptiste Mondino. In 1987, Madonna starred in the box office failure Who's That Girl, and contributed four songs to its soundtrack, including the film's title track, which became a hit and Madonna's sixth #1 single in the U.S. The albums second single, "Causing a Commotion" also entered the top five. Madonna embarked on the Who's That Girl World Tour the same year, at the time the highest-grossing tour in music history, beginning her long association with backing vocalists and dancers Donna DeLory and Niki Haris, and moving closer to the more elaborately staged theater-inspired concert tour. It also marked her first run-in with the Vatican, with the Pope urging fans not to attend her performances in Italy. Later that year, Madonna released a remix album of past hits, You Can Dance, which included one new song, "Spotlight." The album sold over one million copies in the U.S. and 5 million worldwide. In 1988, city officials in the town of Pacentro, Italy, planned to construct a 13-foot statue of Madonna in a bustier. The statue was intended to commemorate the fact that some of Madonna's ancestors had lived in Pacentro. Madonna's fourth album, Like a Prayer, released in 1989, presented more personal lyrics, a more mature vocal style, and solidified her standing as a pop artist. The album was co-written and co-produced with Patrick Leonard and Stephen Bray. She teamed up with Prince on a duet, and he also played guitar on two songs. Like a Prayer garnered Madonna the strongest reviews of her career and attracted a more mature audience. All Music Guide described the album as "her best and most consistent", while Rolling Stone hailed the album as "..as close to art as pop music gets". Like a Prayer peaked at number one on the US album chart and sold 13 million copies worldwide, with 4 million copies alone sold in the U.S. The album produced five hit singles: the title track, Express Yourself," "Cherish," "Oh Father," and Keep It Together." "Like a Prayer" itself hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100. In early 1989, Madonna signed an endorsement deal with soft drink manufacturer Pepsi, which would debut her new song, "Like a Prayer," in a Pepsi commercial that Madonna would also appear in. Madonna would make a separate music video which Pepsi would have nothing to do with. Although the commercial itself was not controversial, the video for "Like a Prayer" caused an uproar. The video premiered on MTV and featured many Catholic symbols, such as stigmata. The video depicted a black man who comes to the aid of a white woman being murdered by white men and he is falsely arrested for the crime. Madonna, who has witnessed the crime, secures his release. Although the video's intent was to denounce racism, Madonna was criticized for her use of burning crosses and "making out" with Jesus. Pepsi was bombarded with complaints and boycotts. Since the commercial and music video were nearly identical in visual terms, the soft drink manufacturer was unable to convince the public that their commercial actually had nothing that could be deemed inappropriate. Pepsi pulled the commercial but Madonna kept her five million dollar fee, as Pepsi had nullified the contract, not she. In 1990, Madonna starred as Breathless Mahoney in a film adaptation of the popular comic book series Dick Tracy. To accompany the launching of the film, in May 1990 she released I'm Breathless, which included songs from and inspired by the film's 1930s setting. It featured the #1 house music anthem "Vogue" (which was an homage to the Hollywood stars), the Gershwin-esque "Something to Remember", and three songs by Stephen Sondheim, including "Sooner or Later", which won an Academy Award for 'Best Original Song', I'm Breathless was a success in Europe, Australia and the United States, and sold 5 million copies worldwide (2x platinum in the U.S.). From April until August 1990, Madonna toured Japan, North America, and Europe on her highly successful Blond Ambition World Tour, which the singer likened to musical theatre. Featuring religious and sexual themes and symbolism, the tour drew controversy from Madonna's performance of "Like a Virgin", during which she allowed two male dancers to caress her body before she simulated masturbation. Despite the controversy, however, the tour is now considered to have changed the look and feel of concert tours, and remains one of the singer's most popular tours amongst her fans. In November 1990, Madonna released her first greatest hits compilation album, The Immaculate Collection, which included two new songs: "Justify My Love" and "Rescue Me." "Rescue Me," became the highest-debuting single by a female artist in U.S. chart history, entering the charts at number 15. The music video for "Justify My Love," again directed by Mondino, showed Madonna at the Royal Monceau Hotel in Paris, in suggestive scenes with her then-lover, model/actor Tony Ward, as well as scenes of S&M, bondage with gay and lesbian characters, and brief nudity. It was deemed too sexually explicit for MTV, and was subsequently banned from the station. Warner Bros Records released the video as a video single — the first of its kind—and it became the highest-selling video single of all time. The album went on to sell over 22 million copies worldwide. In 1991, Madonna starred in her first documentary film, Truth or Dare (also known as In Bed with Madonna outside North America), which chronicled her successful 1990 Blond Ambition Tour, as well as her personal life. The following year, she appeared in the baseball film A League of Their Own with a mostly critically praised (one of her few film honors) portrayal of Italian American Mae Mordabito and recorded the film's theme song, "This Used to Be My Playground", which became her tenth #1 single in the United States. 1992–1997: "Sex" controversy and "Evita": Erotica, produced primarily with Shep Pettibone, was labeled a "porn" album, many assuming that all of the album's tracks contained sexual themes, though in reality the album only featured three (out of fourteen) overtly sexual songs: "Erotica", "Where Life Begins", and "Did You Do It?". The album peaked at number two in the U.S. and produced six singles, with its most successful being its title track "Erotica," which became the highest-debuting (number two) single in the history of the U.S. Hot 100 Airplay chart. The controversial music video that accompanied the song only aired three times on MTV due to its highly charged sexual content. The Girlie Show World Tour in 1993 was Madonna's most explicit and controversial concert tour to date and featured Madonna dressed as a whip-cracking dominatrix, surrounded by topless dancers, including Luca Tommassini and Carrie Ann Inaba. The controversy caused by the tour followed Madonna when she caused uproar in Puerto Rico by rubbing the island's flag between her legs on stage, while Orthodox Jews protested against her first-ever show in Israel. Madonna would later comment that this period of her life was designed to give the world every single morsel of what they seemed to be demanding in their invasion of her private life. She hoped that once it was all out in the open, people could settle down and focus on her work. Madonna later released her sixth studio album, Bedtime Stories, co-produced by Nellee Hooper and Dallas Austin. Madonna at the time was inspired by R&B/rock singer Joi's debut album Pendulum Vibe, and was so in love with it that she recruited producer Dallas Austin to help with her project. The album features Madonna turning to a more R&B-flavored sound. It was a success in Europe, Australia, and the United States, where it peaked at number three and was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Pop Vocal Album category With its title track partially written by Björk, the album gave a hint of what would come musically a few years later. It produced four singles, including "Take a Bow", co-written and produced with Babyface. The song was a success on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number one for seven consecutive weeks, but became the first Madonna song not to chart in the UK Top 10, charting at number 16. The Michael Haussman Spanish-themed video, meanwhile, would later help her win the lead role in Evita. On 7 November 1995, Madonna released Something to Remember, a collection of her best ballads, which featured three new tracks, including a cover of the Marvin Gaye classic "I Want You," which she recorded with British band Massive Attack, and the top ten hit "You'll See." The album just missed the top five on the U.S. charts; it has since been certified triple platinum. In 1996, Madonna’s most critically successful film, Evita, was released. The film's soundtrack became her twelfth platinum album and produced two hit singles, "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" - her nineteenth number one in the US, and "You Must Love Me", the latter of which was written specifically for the film. "You Must Love Me" won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Original Song From a Motion Picture the following year. Madonna herself also won a Golden Globe award for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy but failed to receive an Academy Award nomination. 1998–2002: Return to prominence: Madonna's seventh studio album, 1998's Ray of Light, blended personal and introspective lyrics with Eastern sounds, down-tempo, electronic instrumentation, strings by Craig Armstrong and a strong rave flavor. The album reached number two on the U.S. albums chart and since its release has been certified 4x platinum. It earned Madonna the strongest reviews of her career since Like a Prayer and has been widely considered by critics to be one of her greatest artistic achievements. Madonna's pronunciation, in her recital of Sanskrit shlokas taken from the opening hymn of yoga taravali for her album Ray of Light, had been declared incorrect by Sanskrit pandits of Benares and, the material girl learnt the basics of the correct pronunciation of Sanskrit words from an eminent scholar, Dr B P T Vagish Shastri through telephonic chats arranged by the BBC, London. Amazon.com described the album as "her richest, most accomplished record yet", while Rolling Stone credited Madonna and her co-producer William Orbit for "creating the first mainstream pop album that successfully embraces techno", stating that musically Ray of Light is her "most adventurous record" yet. Ray of Light produced five singles, including the European number one "Frozen". The album won three awards at the 1999 Grammy Awards and has been ranked #363 on Rolling Stone's list of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Microsoft used the Ray of Light title track in its 2001 advertising campaign Yes you can, to introduce Windows XP. In 1998, Madonna was signed to play the role of violin teacher Roberta Guaspari Demetras in the film Music of the Heart, but left the project before filming began, citing "creative differences" with director Wes Craven. She has already studied for many months to play the violin. The children of Opus 118 - Harlem School of Music, led by Roberta Guaspari, performed with Madonna twice in 1998: "Frozen" at the Annual Rain Forest Benefit at Carnegie Hall, New York and at the 1998 VH1 Fashion Awards performing "The Power of Good-Bye". Madonna followed the success of Ray of Light with the top-twenty single "Beautiful Stranger", a late 60s psyche-pop song she wrote with William Orbit and recorded for the Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me soundtrack (1999). In 2000, Madonna released her follow-up film to Evita. The Next Best Thing was a disappointment at the box office and was panned by critics.[citation needed] Madonna contributed two songs to the film's soundtrack, namely "Time Stood Still" and European number one "American Pie", a dance cover version of the 1970s Don McLean single. Music, her eighth studio album, had Madonna slightly step away from the exploration of spirituality and fame to get back to the "party" spirit of dance, pop, and house music. However, she retained the introspective poignancy of Ray of Light in songs such as "Paradise (Not for Me)" and introduced guitars for a more folk-like note, notably in "Don't Tell Me" or ballads such as "Gone." Music debuted at number one on the U.S. albums chart and became her first number one album release since her 1989 Like a Prayer. Mainly co-written and produced with French house musician Mirwais Ahmadzai, the album produced three singles, including the worldwide number one in 26 countries "Music". The album's third single, "What It Feels Like for a Girl," featured a controversial music video, directed by Madonna's husband, Guy Ritchie, and was banned by MTV and VH1 after just one airing due to its graphic violence. In 2001, Madonna embarked on the Drowned World Tour, her first tour in eight years. The concert tour was successful, was the subject of a television special in the US, and was released on DVD in November 2001 to coincide with the release of her second greatest hits album, GHV2. Unlike her previous compilation, GHV2 did not include any new songs, although clubs did receive multiple mega-mixes for promotional play only. In 2002, she wrote and performed the theme song to the James Bond film Die Another Day. The song reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for both a Golden Globe for Best Original Song and a Golden Raspberry for Worst Song. 2003–present: Commercial ups and downs: Madonna's ninth studio album, American Life, in which her lyrics were themed on the aspects of the American dream, fame, fortune and society, received mixed reviews. Arguably her most daring and musically extreme album, American Life presented a darker and more serious side of the singer. The music video for the first single, "American Life", caused controversy in the U.S., as it contained visceral scenes depicting war, explosions, and blood. The day before the video was to air on European television, Madonna pulled it and released instead an edited version, which showed her singing in front of flags from around the world. The song failed to perform well on the U.S. singles chart, peaking at thirty-seven on the Billboard Hot 100. In the United Kingdom, it reached number two on the charts. Having sold five million copies, American Life became the lowest selling album of her career. The album produced three more singles, all failing to chart in the U.S., but enjoying Top 10 success in various European countries. Later that year, Madonna performed the song "Hollywood" with Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Missy Elliott at the MTV Video Music Awards. Madonna kissed Spears and Aguilera during the performance, resulting in tabloid press frenzy. That fall, Madonna provided guest vocals on Spears's single "Me Against the Music". During the Christmas season of 2003, Madonna released Remixed & Revisited, a remix EP that included rock versions of songs from American Life, as well as "Your Honesty", a left-over from 1994's Bedtime Stories album. The collection failed to chart in the Billboard top 100. In 2004, Madonna embarked on The Re-Invention World Tour, which featured fifty-six dates in the U.S., Canada, and Europe and became the highest-grossing tour of 2004, earning $125 million. She made a documentary about the tour named I'm Going to Tell You a Secret, which debuted on MTV and was directed by Jonas Akerlund. Also in 2004, Madonna was involved in a brief legal battle with Warner Music Group, with whom she co-owned record label Maverick. The legal dispute ended with Warner Music Group buying Madonna's shares in the record label. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked her #36 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. In January 2005, Madonna performed a cover version of the John Lennon song "Imagine" on the televised U.S. aid concert "Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope", which raised money for the tsunami victims in Asia. Madonna's tenth studio album, the Grammy-winning Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005) which sold more than 8 million copies, was built as a continuous mix of dance songs, with musical elements borrowed from the '70s, and current dance music. The album received the most positive reviews since 1998's Ray of Light and was considered a return to form after the negative reception to American Life. It has produced four singles: "Hung Up", became one of the most successful singles of all time, reaching number one in a record breaking 41 countries. Madonna opened the 2006 Grammy Awards with "Hung Up", alongside the nominated computer-generated band, Gorillaz. "Sorry" then became Madonna's twelfth number one in the UK, making her the female artist with the most Number One singles in the UK charts. A third single, "Get Together", reached the UK Top 10 and became her thirty-sixth number one dance hit in the U.S. (the most for any artist in Billboard history), but failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. The fourth and final single was "Jump", charting at number nine in the UK. In the summer of 2006, Madonna signed on to become the worldwide face of H&M. Included in the deal was a specially designed track suit, created by Madonna. The next year M by Madonna, launched in the United States, and internationally. In its first week, the line took in $15 million dollars. It became so successful that the company has ordered a second and third line for late 2007. Madonna's Confessions Tour kicked off in late May 2006. The tour grossed a reported $260.1 million and was one of the top-grossing tours ever by a female artist in history, with a global audience of 1.2 million. The tour sparked controversy when she used religious symbols such as the crucifix and crown of thorns in her performance of "Live to Tell". The tour ended its 60-date run on September 21, 2006, in Tokyo. A CD+DVD of "The Confessions Tour - Live from London" special was released on January 29, 2007 internationally and January 30, 2007 in the US. In October 2006, Madonna flew to Malawi to help build an orphanage, which she also funded, as part of the Raising Malawi initiative. While there, she adopted a baby boy, named David. On 16 May, 2007, a song was released by Madonna called "Hey You", released in anticipation for Live Earth. Madonna is currently directing her first film, Filth and Wisdom and has started production on her next album, which is expected to be released by November 2007. A box set containing three CDs and two DVDs marking the 25th anniversary, is said to be released sometime in October 2007. Madonna is also working on a documentary on the problems and difficulties faced by people in Malawi. Madonna performed 'Hey You' amongst other songs at the UK leg of Live Earth at Wembley Stadium, London on July 7, 2007. Influences: Religion, Ethnicity and Family: Madonna has cited her Catholic and Italian background are major influences in her life and career. She has also noted on various occasions that her mother's premature death left a lasting emotional burden throughout her adolescence and adulthood. As an entertainer, Madonna has occasionally touched on these subjects in her song lyrics and visual presentation. Madonna's Catholic background and relationship with her parents were reflected in the 1989 album Like a Prayer, which featured songs about her parents and Catholic upbringing. The video for the title track contained Catholic symbolism, such as the stigmata. Madonna used the crucifix as a notable religious accessory in the church setting of the video, and was also included in the stage design of her "Confessions" tour. "Promise to Try" told of her sadness at the memory of her mother, while "Oh Father" told of a strict father who elicited fear in his child. In the The Virgin Tour, she wore the rosary around her neck. In the music video for "La Isla Bonita", she prays the rosary. She has described the name as being "very Italian", despite the fact that she was named after her French Canadian mother. The name "Madonna" is Catholic and references The Virgin Mary, who, in the Roman Catholic Church, is often referred to as "The Madonna" and juxtaposes the two Italian words "ma", a variation on the Italian "mia" (the contextual form for the adjective "my"), and "donna", which literally translates to "my lady". Madonna's Italian heritage has also been referenced in her work. The video for Like a Virgin, filmed in Venice, Italy, features her in Venetian settings. The "Open Your Heart" sees her boss yelling at her in Italian. In the "Papa Don't Preach" video, Madonna wears a shirt with the slogan, "Italians Do It Better". The video release of her Who's That Girl Tour, titled Ciao, Italia! - Live From Italy, was filmed mainly in Turin, Italy. In it, Madonna performs the song Papa Don't Preach while a portrait of the Pope appears on the screen behind her. "Papa" is the Italian word for "Pope".) In her 2005 documentary I'm Going To Tell You a Secret, she jokingly states that she has "big, fat, Italian thighs." Musical influences: In 1985, Madonna commented that the first song to ever make a strong impression on her was "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" by Nancy Sinatra and that it summed up her take-charge attitude. As a young woman, she attempted to broaden her taste in literature, art, and music, and during this time became interested in classical music. She noted that her favorite style was baroque, and loved Chopin because she liked his "feminine quality". She has also acknowledged the impact of Debbie Harry and Chrissie Hynde saying they "paved the way" for |
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