MADONNA When: Saturday night Where: Rogers Arena VANCOUVER -- Madonna's continued love affair with religious iconography could lead one to wonder if her live performances have not simply become a celebration of her own quasi-deity status. Madge's Vancouver concert Saturday night was a testament to the 54-year-old's outlandish sense of self, a grandiose, overblown spectacle that was less about the pop superstar's music than it was about Madonna herself. Besieged on all sides by rising pop icons looking to claim her crown, Madonna has steadfastly refused to back down and take the easy way out (ie. "play the hits"), constantly looking to reinvent herself. This never-ending quest to defend her stronghold has given us the maligned MDNA, a hodge-podge of a pop album that borrowed heavily from Madonna's past, doused in a 2012 EDM sauce. (French DJ Martin Solveig, who assisted in producing the album, was the opener Saturday night.) The same could be said of her ...

Tickets for Vancouver concerts by Madonna this weekend are going for considerably less than face value, and one major ticket seller says that demonstrates there's a lesson to be learned by even the biggest acts in the music business. When tickets first went on sale months ago, prices topped out at $375 for the best seats. Now many are being resold for half that, leaving ticket re-sellers singing the blues. I think Madonna had a lot of hype initially, so many speculators bought extra tickets thinking they're going to make a quick buck, said Mario Lovich, of ShowTime tickets. Now they realize they're stuck with these things so they flooded the marketplace. Its a cautionary tale for many of the biggest acts in the music business. With general decline in album sales, more performers are touring, creating a more crowded marketplace. Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga are just two of a galaxy of stars coming to Vancouver over the next few months whose concert tickets are currently on sa...

From Madonna to Michael Jackson, Grace Jones to Sade: Jean-Paul Gaultier feted the pop and style icons of the 1980s on Saturday with a rebelliously joyful collection for next spring. "Just because there's an economic crisis, doesn't mean we all have to act all miserable, and show depressing clothes," the designer joked with reporters after the show, midway through Paris Fashion Week. "Why should it all be about minimalism? There's room for joy as well." Stiletto-heeled dancers shimmied around on a decor of scaffolding, mirrored balls hanging from the ceiling, to one 1980s hit after another, as the models stepped out -- all cast as lookalikes of one or other pop icon. First "Grace Jones" in a tuxedo -- reworked Gaultier style as a sleeveless pantsuit. A whole series of "Madonnas" walked out, first in a dominatrix cage-dress, then evolving towards the lingerie-inspired look of the pop diva's "Like a Virgin" era. "Boy ...

Madonna: "You mad, br(and)o?" Use of Brando's likeness during live performances of "Vogue" landed the Material Girl in legal hot water Turns out being a Material Girl doesn't protect you from getting shook down by the ethereal world. Marlon Brando's estate wants $300,000 from Madonna for her use of the deceased star's image on her 2012 tour. Her 1990 megahit "Vogue" famously lists off the names of the famous "Greta Garbo, and Monroe / Deitrich and DiMaggio / Marlon Brando, Jimmy Dean / On the cover of a magazine." and during live performances, she flashes their likeness across the stage in time with the lyrics. This is indeed a privilege that Madge pays for. According to The Hollywood Reporter , when she did the song at the Super Bowl in February, Madonna dolled out $3,750 each to the relevant estates, which included those listed above, along with Jean Harlow, Lana Turner, Ginger Rogers, Bette Davis, Gene Kelly, and Grace Kelly...

Pop megastar Madonna spoke on a panel of musicians at a conference in 1984 about the importance of staying up with the times, specifically with the then new art form of music videos. In response, John Oates of Hall & Oates said he resented the fact that an aspiring musician/songwriter had to worry about being an actor now. Madonna was unsympathetic: "When you're on stage, you're acting. That's a performance. So what's the difference?" That all-encompassing viewpoint is why she is the Queen of Pop. Madonna brings her "MDNA" tour to KeyArena Thursday and Friday. The New York Times called it an "extravaganza," counting tightropes, stripteases and a (virtual) blood bath among its delights. Perhaps overcompensating for not having a very good singing voice, Madonna has used every bit of camera attention she's gotten since the 1980s to her advantage. She quickly acted in movies, and continues to act and direct (most recently directing the ...

People News Sep 28, 2012, 10:01 GMT Madonna Madonna wants Lady Gaga to perform with her. The 'Give Me All Your Luvin'' singer has invited the eccentric pop superstar to join her on stage during her 'MDNA Tour', despite previously accusing her of copying elements of her song 'Express Yourself' in her single 'Born This Way'. Gaga's writer-and-producer Vincent Herbert revealed: 'Madonna just called to ask Gaga to perform with her at Yankee Stadium. Her manager reached out to us and said Madonna would like Gaga to perform with her.' Madonna was so desperate to have Gaga, 26, join her that she even promised to give the money raised to charity. Unluckily for the 54-year-old music legend, Gaga's own work schedule meant she couldn't accept her offer. Vincent is quoted by the Daily Mirror newspaper as saying: 'She really wished she could do it. She said, 'If we do it, let's donate the money to charity.' But Gaga's commi...

By Jacki Schechner / current.com / @JackiSchechner I like Madonna. Always have. She's not the world's best singer, but she's been wickedly smart about creating and recreating herself and her brand over the years. It's easy to forget she first broke through in 1983, and back then it would have been tough to find a teenage girl who didn't love her music or want to look just like her. Her style defines that decade. Throw an '80s party and watch how many otherwise chic women come dressed like Madonna, lace gloves and all. I'm with her on the Lady Gaga thing, too; I think "Born This Way" is a total rip-off. Madonna was doing shock and out-of-the-box before Gaga was born. Plus, at 54 54! she's in sick shape. Sure, she's had some strange moments along the way, but fame and age can be a toxic concoction. Once you're on top, why would you want to be anywhere else? And it cannot be easy figuring out how to stay fascinating and relevant as an a...

Today in celebrity scuttlebutt: Madonna made quite an appearance at a Yom Kippur service in New York , Suri Cruise is talking on cellphones, and some sad news from a sad town. RELATED: Oh, Madonna ! The elegant bone spur is in New York right now can't you feel her cold, chalky presence?? and yesterday went to a fancy Kabbalah celebration of Yom Kippur (wait, do you really "celebrate" Yom Kippur ? Maybe she went to a fancy Kabbalah observance of Yom Kippur ) that she basically held up for a while because she was running late. Take it away, Page Six: "Our spy said, ' Madonna was the last to arrive, and it seemed like they were holding up the ceremony to wait for her. She came through a back entrance with her daughter, Lourdes, and was seated in the front row. Once she was seated, it could begin. All the men were in white but Madonna had a loud track suit on. Also there was her younger boyfriend, who arrived wearing cream.'" Ohhh. First off, young...

Madonna says she was being deliberately "ironic" when she referred to President Barack Obama during her concert in Washington as a "black Muslim". A video clip posted on YouTube by audience members at the Verizon Centre in the US capital captured the singer delivering a rousing, profanity-laced political speech about freedom. In it the 54-year-old star said: "Now, it's so amazing and incredible to think that we have an African-American in the White House... we have a black Muslim in the White House... it means there is hope in this country, and Obama is fighting for gay rights, so support the man." Mr Obama, who campaigning to be re-elected on November 6, is widely known to be a practicing Christian. Responding to a media furor unleashed by the YouTube video, Madonna issued a statement through her spokeswoman saying her reference to Obama's religion was facetious. "I was being ironic on stage. Yes, I know Obama is not a Muslim - though I know ...

By Piya Sinha-Roy, Reuters Updated at 8:50 p.m. PT Tuesday: Pop star Madonna said on Tuesday she was being deliberately "ironic on stage" when she erroneously referred to President Barack Obama during her concert in the nation's capital as a "black Muslim." A video clip posted on YouTube by audience members at the Verizon Center in downtown Washington captured the 54-year-old singer delivering a rousing, profanity-laced political speech about freedom during her show on Monday. "Now, it's so amazing and incredible to think that we have an African-American in the White House ... we have a black Muslim in the White House ... it means there is hope in this country, and Obama is fighting for gay rights, so support the man," Madonna said. Obama, campaigning to be re-elected on November 6, is widely known to be a practicing Christian. Responding to a media furor unleashed by the YouTube video, Madonna issued a statement on Tuesday through her spokeswoman ...

Freakishly fit quinquagenarian Madonna took her latest tour to the Verizon Center this week, and look who showed up at the home of the Washington Capitals? Why, it was Washington Capitals! Forward Marcus Johansson and prospect Mattias Sjogren , who was called up to the team last season , had front row tickets near the stage for the show. A show that, apparently, requires occasional audience participation. We'll let Russian Machine Never Breaks, which broke this tale, explain the rest: You see, during a break in music, Madonna chatted up her fans and asked if anyone would like to write a four letter word which describes her on her back . As Madonna gazed out to the crowd, she settled on two young Swedish men in the front row who happened to be Washington Capitals forwards Mattias Sjogren and Marcus Johansson and tossed them a marker. Sjogren took the marker. At this point, he could have chosen any of a thousand appropriate words for the occasion, such as: "Olde" "...

By Piya Sinha-Roy, Reuters Updated at 8:50 p.m. PT Tuesday: Pop star Madonna said on Tuesday she was being deliberately "ironic on stage" when she erroneously referred to President Barack Obama during her concert in the nation's capital as a "black Muslim." A video clip posted on YouTube by audience members at the Verizon Center in downtown Washington captured the 54-year-old singer delivering a rousing, profanity-laced political speech about freedom during her show on Monday. "Now, it's so amazing and incredible to think that we have an African-American in the White House ... we have a black Muslim in the White House ... it means there is hope in this country, and Obama is fighting for gay rights, so support the man," Madonna said. Obama, campaigning to be re-elected on November 6, is widely known to be a practicing Christian. Responding to a media furor unleashed by the YouTube video, Madonna issued a statement on Tuesday through her spokeswoman ...

Madonna catches heat for calling President Obama a "black Muslim" while endorsing his reelection. ( Alexander Demianchuk / Associated Press / April 9 , 2012 ) By Matt Donnelly September 25, 2012 , 6:20 p.m. Madonna 's " MDNA " tour is the show that keeps on giving. Giving the singer a platform to make statements that inspire controversy -- and now confusion -- that is. Visiting Washington, D.C., on Monday night, the singer showed off a painted tattoo of President Obama 's name across her back, an accessory she's donned for several performances, and coupled it with an endorsement for his reelection. "Y'all better vote for ... Obama, OK? For better or for worse, all right?" she implored concertgoers, who cheered loudly in reaction to her sentiment. And then she said this: "We have a black Muslim in the White House ." But we don't. Obama isn't Muslim, despite an oft- referenced poll that 17% of Americans believe he is. T...

Madonna was in the nation's capital last night for her MDNA Tour , where she delivered an odd endorsement of President Barack Obama , at one point even referring to him incorrectly as a "black Muslim." "Y'all better vote for f***ing Obama, OK? For better or for worse, all right? We have a black Muslim in the White House. Now that's some amazing s**t," the 54-year-old told her fans in the packed Verizon Center during a minutes-long speech about the Civil Rights Movement and fighting for freedom. "It means there is hope in this country. And Obama is fighting for gay rights, so support the man, goddamnit." Madonna has showed support for the president in the past. During the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte , N.C., Madonna was performing in New York City, where she unveiled an "OBAMA" tattoo painted across her lower back. The pop singer has been an Obama supporter since 2008. Also Read

Madonna offered a profanity-laced endorsement of President Obama at her concert Monday night, which involved the singer stripping down to her underwear to reveal the president's name written on her body. You all better vote for f---ing Obama okay, she told the crowd at Washington's Verizon center. Later in the show, Madonna took off her shirt and pulled down her pants to show she had OBAMA written in all capital letters across her lower back. When Obama is in the White House for a second term I'll take it all off, she said to cheers and whistles from the audience. She then began singing a slow, seductive version of Like a Virgin while rolling around on a piano top. Madonna first revealed her body art in early September, during her performance at Yankee stadium in New York. The outspoken, controversial singer was on the second night of her Washington, D.C. stop in her MDNA tour. Between performing fan-favorites such as Express Yourself and Vogue, she paused twice to discuss...

Facebook Google buzz Del.icio.us Digg Reddit Newsvine Buzz up! Fark it - A A A + WASHINGTON (WUSA)-- If you've seen Madonna in concert this year or even the Super Bowl Halftime, then you have witnessed the acrobatic performances on what seems to be a tightrope. This technique is called Slacklining and it's growing in popularity. T! he queen of pop has included the Gibbon Slackliners in her MDNA 2012world tour : meet Hayden Nickell, 23 of Durango Colorado; Jaan Roose, 20 of Estonia; and Carlos Neto, 23 of Brazil. "I think when [Madonna] was looking around on YouTube or online and discovered it, she found this eccentric guy Andy Lewis and invited him to come do his thing at the Super Bowl and that really paved the way for mainstream slacklining," said Nickell. During the halftime show, Lewis appeared in a toga and performed high energy acrobatic moves on a 2-inch wide trampoline-like rope known as the slackline. The sport originateed from rock climbers who would...

Madonnas Good Diva and Bad Diva faced off Sunday at the Verizon Center, the first night of a two-night stand in the District. Good ultimately triumphed. But it took a while. Like only a Bad Diva would, Madonna came to the stage at 10:30 p.m., 21 / 2 hours after the posted showtime. The delay disrupted more than babysitting arrangements; arena management was forced to strike a deal with Metro to extend the usual midnight service deadline. Madonna, however, surely benefited financially from the stalling, because some portion of the audience, made up of fans whod paid from $59 to $390 per ticket, killed time by visiting merchandise booths, at which they could spend an additional $45 on licensed Im a Sinner T-shirts or Madonna-endorsed Addicted to Sweat workout DVDs (featuring routines called Get Wet and Dripping Wet). Once the show, indeed, went on, the benevolent side of Madonnas divadom took hold. Everything Madonna threw at the fans made the road shows of other dance-pop arena acts, s...

Shaun Sperling became an Internet sensation when he posted footage of him performing his idol's Vogue at his 1992 bar mitzvah online - and he is back in vogue as an adult thanks to a new cyber video. Sperling was clearly stunned when Madonna handed him the microphone at her United Center concert and he later took to his Facebook.com page to coo about his encounter with the pop superstar. He wrote, "Madonna came right up to me and we locked eyes, she pointed the mic at me and I sang a verse. She smiled and gave me a thumbs up like she knew!"

Madonna has helped Kelly Osbourne drop a dress size by giving her exercise and diet tips. The pair have previously worked together on the 'Girl Gone Wild' hitmaker's clothing range Material Girl, and the singer has been advising the 'Fashion Police' host on diet and exercise to help her shed weight she gained earlier this year. A source told Closer magazine: "Madonna's helped Kelly get back to a size eight. Kelly does the Ballet Barre workout five days week - she loves the dance element and can see how it's changed her shape." "Madonna's also encouraged her to eat in a more macrobiotic way - cutting out wheat, artificial sweeteners and cheese. "Kelly's avoiding carbs to beat bloating and has been eating boiled eggs for breakfast, grilled chicken salad for lunch and fish with steamed greens for dinner." Kelly is not the only member of the Osbourne family to recently go on a change of diet - her mother Sharon is on the low-carb...

After more than a decade of friendship, Gwyneth Paltrow is taking a holiday from Madonna . "Everything always revolved around Madonna," a source close to the Iron Man 3 s tar, 40, tells Us Weekly. "She is finally done." PHOTOS: Gwyneth's most obnoxious quotes Waiting in the wings to replace Madonna, 54? Cameron Diaz ! "Gwyneth is a nurturer," a source says of Paltrow, who has been pals with Diaz, 40, for years, but recently upgraded her to BFF status. The Bad Teacher star "is bummed about being single, so Gwyneth sees her as a project." Gwyneth Paltrow, Cameron Diaz, and MadonnaCredit: Dave M. Benett/Getty; Christopher Polk/Getty PHOTOS: How Madonna's face has changed Find out more about why Paltrow dumped the Material Girl -- and how she aims to find Diaz a man! -- in this week's Hot Stuff video, as explained by Us Weekly Senior Editor Ian Drew, plus special guests Liz Marguiles and Angela Pham from Bravo's Gallery Girls. PHOTOS...

Women's Health Health Home >> Women's Health >> Health news Written by: Cary Castagna, QMi Agency Sep. 21, 2012 "Addicted to Sweat" fitness DVDs. (HO) While striking some seriously sinewy poses over the years, Madonna has helped make muscles um in vogue in the music industry. The uber-fit Material Girl recently warned fans at a Philadelphia concert kicking off the North American leg of her current MDNA tour to not get fat and lazy. She certainly still practises what she preaches. Madonna, who turned 54 last month, maintains the sleek physique of a woman half her age. Her personal trainer, Nicole Winhoffer, hints that one of the keys to her superstar clients long-lasting fitness success is the ironclad work ethic she takes into her workouts. Thats what sets Madge apart from her pudgier fans. At least when it comes to exercise. One common mistake I see is how someone is working out, Winhoffer tells Sun Media. They fail to achieve results because they arent...

Madonna and her brother Chrishave reportedly kissed and made upafter things all went a bit sour in 2008 when he releasedthe book, Life With My Sister Madonna . Were guessing hell take that off his bookshelf when she nips round for a cuppa then. Siblings reunited Speaking recently the 51-year-old said that things have gone back to how they used to be and thatthe fall out isall water under the bridge. We've gotten to a point where, as far as I'm concerned, we're back to being a brother and sister and this is a good place for me. What happens between us is private now and there's no other books coming out. Madgecan sleep easy now. Its not been an easy road forthe siblingsthough well, after writing an entire book about her, how could it be. It's taken a bit to get there, as I understand, but she's my sister and from this point on it's us as brother and sister. A mutual love ofshoes Chris recently launched a new range of footwear and has made clear that althoug...

It was a concert that opened with an act of contrition and closed with a robed church choir paving the road to a celebration. In between there was fake blood, pretend guns, the return of the infamous conical bra, whiffs of sadomasochism and poison-tipped political commentary, as well as allusions to the pop art of Roy Lichtenstein, movies by Oliver Stone and Stanley Kubrick, Brecht-Weil cabaret, Asian mysticism, Cirque du Soleil-style tightrope acrobatics, and Basque folk music. Madonna was in town, and though shes one of the most famous celebrities in the world and also one of the priciest, as evidenced by those $355 seats her first of two concerts Wednesday at the United Center had all the hallmarks of a cult artist indulging a serious art-pop fetish. The easy route wouldve been a greatest hits tour, but even at 54 something of a godmother to two generations of pop singers from Britney Spears to Lady Gaga Madonna appears to get bored much too easily to do something that rote. She...

Face Off 3 Recap: Superheroes & Sidekicks | Home | Creeper Alert! Scott Disick Is On The Prowl Again September 19, 2012 10:00 AM by Veronica Dudo Are Madonna and Lady Gaga really feuding? Its been quite a summer for the fellow pop stars who are both on tour. Currently, Madonna is on her MDNA World Tour while Lady Gaga is on The Born This Way Ball tour. It seems it all began in January during an interview with ABC in which Madonna said Lady Gagas song, Born This Way was reductive because of its similarities to her 1989 hit, Express Yourself. Since then, Madonna has continued to talk about Mother Monster while the former So You Think You Can Dance judge, Lady Gaga recently had a few things to say about Madge. Keep reading to find out what Madonna has been saying and how Lady Gaga responded! Over the weekend in New Jersey at Atlantic Citys historic Boardwalk Hall, Madonna dedica! ted her song Masterpiece to Lady Gaga and told a sold out crowd, Im going to dedicate this ne...

Madonna has helped Kelly Osbourne drop a dress size by giving her exercise and diet tips. The pair have previously worked together on the 'Girl Gone Wild' hitmaker's clothing range Material Girl, and the singer has been advising the 'Fashion Police' host on diet and exercise to help her shed weight she gained earlier this year. A source told Closer magazine: "Madonna's helped Kelly get back to a size eight. Kelly does the Ballet Barre workout five days week - she loves the dance element and can see how it's changed her shape." "Madonna's also encouraged her to eat in a more macrobiotic way - cutting out wheat, artificial sweeteners and cheese. "Kelly's avoiding carbs to beat bloating and has been eating boiled eggs for breakfast, grilled chicken salad for lunch and fish with steamed greens for dinner." Kelly is not the only member of the Osbourne family to recently go on a change of diet - her mother Sharon is on the low-carb...

London, Sep 19 (IANS) Pop star Madonna has helped "Fashion Police" host Kelly Osbourne drop a dress size by giving her exercise and diet tips . The two have worked together on the "Girl Gone Wild" hitmaker's clothing range Material Girl, and the singer has been advising Osbourne on diet and exercise to help her shed weight she gained earlier this year. "Madonna's helped Kelly get back to a size eight. Kelly does the Ballet Barre workout five days week - she loves the dance element and can see how it's changed her shape," contactmusic.com quoted a source as saying. "Madonna's also encouraged her to eat in a more macrobiotic way - cutting out wheat, artificial sweeteners and cheese. Kelly's avoiding carbs to beat bloating and has been eating boiled eggs for breakfast, grilled chicken salad for lunch and fish with steamed greens for dinner," added the source.

Friends, frenemies or still enemies? Madonna has recently been trying to put an end to her ongoing feuds with Elton John and Lady Gaga . Last month, the 54-year-old MDNA singer dedicated her song "Masterpiece" to John, 65, during a concert in Nice, France. She said she "forgives him" for calling her a "fairground stripper" and saying her career is over. At her concert in Atlantic City on Saturday, Madonna dedicated the same song to Gaga, 26, and said she'd like to collaborate with her. PHOTOS: Nasty celeb feuds "You wanna know something? I love her," she told the crowd. "I love her. I do love her. Imitation is the highest form of flattery." "One day, very soon, we're going to be on stage together. Just you wait," she added. "You think I'm kidding? I love Lady Gaga." PHOTOS: How Madonna's face has changed During an interview with Newsweek in January 2012, Madonna slammed Gaga's single "Bo...

Madonna has declined to bring her MDNA tour to Australia. Source: Getty Images Lady Gaga had this special message for her rival Madonna at a recent concert. Madonna's latest tour includes a medley of her song Express Yourself with Gaga's soundalike Born This Way . Picture: NBC Source: Supplied MADONNA has fired off another passive aggressive compliment to Lady Gaga. In her Atlantic City show on Saturday Madonna dedicated her song Masterpiece to Gaga, before reiterating she felt Gaga copied her. "I'm going to dedicate this next song to Lady Gaga," Madonna announced on stage "You wanna know something? I love her. I love her. I do love her. Imitation is the highest form of flattery. But one day, very soon, we're going to be on stage together. Just you wait. You think I'm kidding? I love Lady Gaga." Madonna's latest tour, which will not visit Australia, includes a medley of her Express Yourself with Gaga's soundalike Born This Way . ...

Your Daily Dispatch of Celebrity Shenanigans Madge Is Not Letting Go Of The Queen Of Pop Crown Just Yet!: First, Elton John slams Madonna (calling her a "fairground stripper" and criticizing how she's spoken about Lady Gaga ) and now Madonna has taken a shot at Gaga, but fear not, the dig was wrapped in a possible compliment. During Madonna's "MDNA" tour stop in Atlantic City over the weekend, Madge dedicated her song, "Masterpiece," to her fellow pop star. "I love her. I love her. I do love her. Imitation is the highest form of flattery," Madonna told the crowd. But could there be peace on the horizon for Madge and Gaga? According to Madonna, she thinks eventually she'll share the stage with the "Born This Way" singer. "And one day, very soon, we're gonna be on stage together. Just wait," Madonna added. Check out Madonna's dig at the 6:00 minute mark, HERE ! PLAY IT NOW: Lady Gaga Talks New Sexy & Slut...

LONDON (Reuters) - Christopher Ciccone , the younger brother of pop star Madonna , took a rubber-soled step outside of his famous sibling's shadow on Friday as he launched his first shoe collection at the start of London Fashion Week . Ciccone, 51, spun a modern twist on functional footwear , using rubber, leather and canvas to reinvent riding boots, Wellington boots , boat shoes, brogues and sandals, using a mixture of bold block hues, geometric prints and strap details. The prices of the collection range from 39 pounds to just under 300 pounds ($63-$480). "It's the art that follows the form (that) follows the function. I'm an artist, so everything that I create comes from that world," Ciccone told Reuters, adding that he was inspired by the work of Georgia O'Keeffe, Mondrian and Delacroix. Madonna did not attend the launch, but she was there in spirit as her latest hit song, "Girl Gone Wild," played alongside other pop hits during Ciccone's pr...