madonnalicious

Video: Annual Bent On Learning Benefit

Video footage of Madonna and Lourdes attending the 2nd Annual Bent On Learning Benefit for yoga in New York City on Wednesday has been published by PopSugar.

Madonna attends Annual Bent On Learning Benefit

Last night Madonna and her daughter Lourdes attended the 2nd Annual Bent On Learning Benefit in New York City last night (Wednesday 28 April). Here are two press pictures of the pair at the event.

Melissa Crow's personal Madonna items on eBay

madonnalicious reader Axel has contacted us to get this message to all fans who may have noticed that lots of personal Madonna-related items belonging to Madonna's ex personal assistant Melissa Crow that have recently appeared on eBay.

I'm not sure if this is possible for you but Melissa Crow asked me in helping get the message out that the eBay auctions of her stuff are absolutely not endorsed by her! She is:

1) Doing everything she can to get these items back into her possession.
2) She wants to make sure that people know it is NOT HER selling these items!
3) And she asks fans NOT to bid on the items.

It would be totally awesome if Madonna fans would honour and respect her request. Thanks!

Glee's 'Madonna' Powers To No. 1 On Billboard 200

Glee's Power of Madonna debuts at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 with 98,000 copies sold according to Nielsen SoundScan. And 75% of 'Madonna's' first-week sales came from download retailers.

And to show what a smart business women she is by opening up her back catalogue to Glee - her greatest hits Celebration sells 6,192 copies up 219% from the week before putting her at #83 for the week.

Thanks to Don

Books: Tom Munro

Style.com have interviewed photographer Tom Munro to advertise his new celebrity portrait photography book that is released this month - the book is available to buy online at www.amazon.com:

Tom Munro’s new book is chock-full of celebrity portraits: Jennifer Lopez, Dustin Hoffman, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Johnny Depp, Ashton Kutcher. But it’s Madonna that he seems most smitten with: Madge is on the cover, scattered throughout the book, and even wrote the foreword. Her poetic summation of the photographer’s art? 'To have your picture taken by Tom Munro / Is kind of like smoking a bubblegum cigarette. / You can strike a pose, look cool / Get all of the sweetness, / And not suffer any side effects.'

Getting Madonna to write your introduction is pretty major. What is it like to work with her? When did you meet, and how did you become such close collaborators?
I first met Madonna on an editorial shoot for Elle. I think Madonna was keen to work with me as I had worked with her stylist Arianne Phillips before, and my ex-boss Steven Meisel put in a good word for me. Working with Madonna is really inspiring and a privilege. It’s rare to work with someone who is so driven, who brings so much to the creative process.
After the shoot, Madonna asked if I would be interested in collaborating on her music video 'Give It to Me.' This was my first introduction to film and I jumped at the opportunity. We did another video, 'Die Another Day,' and I shot the tour book for Sticky and Sweet.
Also I had been involved with a Charity in Kenya called MEAK (Medical and Education Aid for Kenya) and knew of Madonna’s charity work in Malawi, so I asked Madonna if I could tag along on one of her visits to Africa. What she is doing there is quite extensive. It was a wonderful and moving experience to go with her, so I asked Madonna if I could list her charity as one of the beneficiaries of the book, along with MEAK.

UK Magazines: Hello!

UK magazine Hello! (19 April issue 1119) featured these pictures of Madonna and Jesus' dinner date in London with Gwyneth Paltrow and designers Stella McCartney and Valentino. Click on the article to enlarge.

Madonna models again for Dolce & Gabbana

Stefano Gabbana has confirmed Madonna will front the campaign for Dolce and Gabbana's autumn/winter 2010 womenswear range.
Madonna will front the new campaign for Dolce and Gabbana, it has been confirmed.
Speculation had been rife the 51-year-old singer would be the face of the Italian duo's autumn/winter 2010 womenswear range, following the success of her adverts for the fashion house last year, and now Stefano Gabbana has spoken of his excitement.
He tweeted: 'Madonna....she's always the BEST! I'm going on the set of the woman campaign....The shooting is going very well!....She's beautiful....Love this!'
Speaking from the campaign's headquarters in New York, he added: 'A lot of paparazzi during the shooting!'
Madonna's favourite photographer, Steven Klein, is thought to be shooting the adverts.

From contactmusic.com

UK Magazines: Hello!

The 19 April edition of Hello! magazine (issue number 1119) featured this two-page article about Madonna's recent trip to Malawi - click on the images to enlarge.

Glee: A review from EW.com

TV reviewer Ken Tucker gives this glowing review for the The Power of Madonna episode of Glee on the EW.com website:

May I suggest that if you don’t want to miss one of the best hours of TV you’re likely to see all year you be sure to watch Glee tonight: 'The Power of Madonna' is like having the finest Broadway jukebox musical ever made in your living room, except that Glee has better jokes and more involving plotlines.
The premise is simple: Sue Sylvester worships Madonna, 'the most powerful woman ever to walk the face of the earth,' says Sue vehemently, and who’s going to argue with her?
Not Will, who brazenly steals Sue’s idea: Both teachers assign their glee club and cheerleader charges Madonna-based routines to win their respective competitions. This leads to a lot of wittily arranged and powerfully performed covers of Madonna hits, from 'Vogue' to 'Express Yourself.'
Glee excels at dealing with themes that drag down more ordinary shows, issues of gender and power, hairstyles and hormones. The episode is crammed not only with music but nonstop one-liners that sting with the sharpness of a Madonna hit-single hook.
Directed by creator Ryan Murphy, 'The Power of Madonna' pays its title subject the highest compliment possible: It doesn’t merely express admiration, it demonstrates a potent understanding of why Madonna matters.
As Kurt says, 'It’s gonna be Madge-ical.'

My grade: A

UK TV: Glee

Fans in the UK can catch their first look at The Power of Madonna episode of Glee when it airs on Freeview channel E4 on Monday 26 April at 09:00pm.

The show will be repeated on Channel 4 on Friday 30 April at 08:00pm.

Events: South Beach Sticky & Sweet Party

US Press: New York Daily News

Madonna shot the next Dolce & Gabbana campaign in Harlem yesterday - the New York Daily News published this picture of Madonna on the set of the shoot.

Thanks to Michael

'Glee' Madonna Soundtrack Could Top Billboard 200 Next Week

Eagle-eye industry sources are suggesting that the kids from Fox TV's 'Glee' may earn their first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart next week with 'The Power of Madonna' soundtrack. The companion album from the show's same-named episode, which aired Tuesday night to much fanfare, may sell in the range of 100,000 to 125,000 by week's end on May 1 according to industry prognosticators.
The best week for a 'Glee' set was racked when its 'Season One, The Music Volume 2' soundtrack began at No. 3 with 173,000 last December. There is a chance that 'The Power of Madonna' could move an even higher number - possibly approaching that record 173,000 figure - depending on how the rest of the week shakes out.
The 'Glee' club and Madonna should trump the week's other big debut - the 'Iron Man 2' soundtrack from rock gods AC/DC. The album - also on Columbia - is looking to debut in either the No. 2 or No. 3 slot on the Billboard 200 with between 75,000 and 100,000.

From Billboard.com

Glee cast performs Like A Prayer

Glee: Madonna sequel in the works

Glee is heading back into the groove with Madonna. The afterglow from last night’s smashing (and highly rated) Madge-themed episode has barely dimmed and already series creator Ryan Murphy is talking to the Material Girl about a sequel!
Murphy confirms that he’s in discussions with M’s camp and that 'Madonna and her people are into it and want it to happen.' The follow-up would air early next season and feature six more songs from the pop icon’s immense catalog of hits. (There’s talk that fans might be able to vote on which tracks should be used via a poll on Fox.com.)
The Glee-Madonna marriage has already reaped huge dividends for both the show and the star. Tuesday’s episode attracted a potent 13.5 million viewers, down just 5 percent from last week’s record-setting spring premiere. Additionally, the soundtrack from the ep is currently No. 1 on iTunes, and two of the singles are in the top 20.
The power of Madonna indeed.

From Ausiello / EW.com

madonnalicious wants to know - What tracks would you like to see covered next, and by which character? Hit the 'Comments' button below to add your thoughts.

Video: Glee's Express Yourself

Billboard.com have highlighted some of their favourite Madonna Glee performances from the show last night:

Also a highlight? The girls' take on 'Express Yourself,' which was rife with awesome '80s choreography and details inspired by Madonna's original video, like corsets, power suits and microphone headsets. Mercedes gets another standout solo, and even Quinn's light and sweet vocals work on Madge's empowerment anthem.

Madonna stands to profit from Glee episode

If everyone hits the notes they're supposed to, Tuesday’s Madonna-themed episode of 'Glee' is going to leave the Material Girl very, very happy - and not just from the female empowerment motif or Jane Lynch's stylized version of 'Vogue.'
For one thing, it’s the only episode so far of the hit series dedicated to a single artist.
'I could see it happening again infrequently in the future,' Adam Anders, 'Glee’s' music producer told TheWrap. 'But Madonna was a great choice to start with because of the depth of her catalogue.'
Indeed, that catalogue will hand Ms. Ciccone a nice chunk of financial joy from the licensing fees for the 'New Directions' kids’ performance of 10 of her songs. Licensing, like live performance, is one of the few areas of the music business that is still actually growing.
It’s a very strategic move when you take a look at the calendar.
The 'Glee' episode - 'Glee: The Power of Madonna' - and accompanying record are out one week after Madonna's Sticky & Sweet Tour CD and DVD hit the market.
The album debuted in the Top 10, and the DVD topped the music-video charts.
'This ‘Glee’ episode is still a win/win for her and Live Nation's investment in her touring and related merchandise because of the publicity and the spike in sales they'll get for her new live DVD and CD,' a music industry insider told TheWrap.
According to one individual close to the show, Madonna and her management granted the show total access to her entire catalogue after being personally approached by 'Glee' co-creator Ryan Murphy last year.
It won’t hurt ratings for the already top-rated show, either.
'Glee’s' Anders wouldn’t confirm how much the show paid to use Madonna’s songs, but he did say that quantity helps. 'The more you do, there is a bulk rate involved, so you do get a better deal. Still, because of the production numbers, this was the most expensive ‘Glee’ we've ever done.'
Regardless of the discount Madonna gave 'Glee,' the themed episode mostly likely will end up extremely lucrative for both the show and the performer.
The mini-album, featuring seven of the 10 songs that'll be on the show, comes out online and in stores the same day the show airs. Also, fans that purchase the album off iTunes will get a version of 'Burning Up' as a bonus track.
Similar to that other Fox powerhouse 'American Idol,' artists who appear on 'Glee,' 'get a halo effect on the track level,' Silvio Pietroluongo, Billboard's director of charts, told TheWrap.
Madonna's greatest hits collection 'Celebration,' which has sold about 218,000 units since it came out in September of 2009, will likely see a bounce from the 2,000 copies a week it’s selling right now, thanks to the 'Glee' connection, he said.
'This isn’t really about Madonna being on ‘Glee,’' a former label executive and industry insider told TheWrap, 'it's about Madonna’s place in the market.'
Madonna herself told Us Weekly that she thought the 'Glee' episode was 'brilliant on every level.'
For a performer who has never shied away from exposure over her nearly three-decade career, looking at the bottom line, it’s not hard to see why....on every single level.

From TheWrap.com / msnbc.com

UK Magazines: Grazia

The 19 April issue of UK magazine Grazia featured this one-page article about Madonna, Lourdes and Mercy's trip to Malawi - click on the article to enlarge.

'Glee' Recap: Madonna Invades William McKinley High

Tuesday's (April 20) all-Madonna episode of 'Glee' imparted an important lesson: Even the almighty Material Girl can be upstaged by the power of Sue Sylvester.
From her shot-for-shot remake of Madonna's 'Vogue' music video to her extra-acerbic insults of Will Schuester's hair, the Cheerios coach was just on.
At most high schools, Madonna songs blaring at high volume over the loudspeaker would prove to be a bit distracting. Then again, most schools aren't William McKinley High, where Sue blackmailed Principal Figgins into playing her idol's music full blast to inspire the students to be more independent and powerful. (This also, conveniently, allowed as many Madonna songs as possible to be squeezed into the 44-minute episode.)
Sue had her Cheerios harness Madge's power by encouraging them to troll the middle school for younger boyfriends and abandon their last names. She also choreographed a routine to 'Ray of Light' involving stilts (not creepy - in fact, amazing) and hurled her greatest one-liner yet: 'Sloppy freak-show babies. Somewhere in the English countryside in a stately manor home, Madonna is weeping.'
Following Sue's lead, Will made New Directions brainstorm Madonna numbers in an attempt to empower the female glee clubbers and discourage the guys' misogynistic tendencies. This brilliant idea struck him when he overheard Rachel asking the female gleeks for hypothetical romantic advice after her new boyfriend tried to get her to do it after a Wiggles concert. (Remember, Rachel and Vocal Adrenaline's Jesse St. James are secretly dating.) Unfortunately, guidance counselor Emma was no help. As we learned last week, she's a virgin, too, but she did have some pretty hilarious sex-education brochures.
After Rachel's girl-power-y 'Express Yourself,' her duet with Finn on the 'Borderline/ Open Your Heart' mash-up, and a clandestine meeting with Jesse in the Steven Sondheim biography section of the library, where he apologized for pressuring her, she decided she would have sex with Jesse after all. But Rachel wasn't the only character contemplating losing her virginity: Emma took to heart Sue's quip that she wasn't powerful enough to have Madonna piped into her office and told Will it was on. Foreplay would start at 7:30 sharp.
And Santana decided Finn was the younger, inferior man she needed in order to emulate Madonna.
The resulting (and inevitable) 'Like a Virgin' extravaganza followed the three couples on their sexual adventures and was perhaps the best 'Glee' number yet, as far as integrating the song and choreography into the plot and allowing multiple characters to sing solos. All six shared vocal duties - even Santana! And she sounded great.
Still, it turns out that not all the couples went through with the deed. Although she told Finn the next day that she did it, Rachel didn't actually leave the bathroom, even as Jesse implored her to 'Just come out so we can talk. Or sing about it.' Jesse's solution: transferring to McKinley to prove how much he respected Rachel. Finn, on the other hand, lied and said he didn't do it when he actually did. Emma chickened out and ran home barefoot. She and Will decided Monday that they'd readdress their sexual chemistry after his divorce was official and she got help for her OCD.
Kurt and Mercedes made the Sue Sylvester 'Vogue' video as a multimedia presentation for their New Directions Madonna song (it's almost indescribably amazing), and they were rewarded for their hard work in the form of positions as the Cheerios' new lead singers, roles they debuted with a cover of the Madonna/ Justin Timberlake duet '4 Minutes.' Closing out the episode was a take on 'What It Feels Like for a Girl' from the boys and a show-stopping 'Like a Prayer,' complete with gospel choir, from the whole gang.

From VH1.com

Let madonnalicious know what you thought about the episode by hitting the 'Comments' button below.

Madonna to star in new Dolce & Gabbana campaign?

Is Madonna set to be Dolce & Gabbana's campaign girl for a second season? Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce are currently in Manhattan filming their autumn/winter 2010 menswear commercial at Mulberry Street Bar in NoLita, Fashionologie reports, and it seems that the Madonna has been spotted nearby.
Although there is no official word from the design duo regarding the womenswear collection, it's alleged that Madonna's favourite photographer Steven Klein will be shooting in the very same neighborhood in the coming week.
Madonna has already fronted one lucrative campaign for her longstanding friends Dolce and Gabbana, in addition to designing a range of sunglasses for the Italian designers - the first co-branded venture they have ever undertaken.
The world awaits an official announcement from super-tweeter Stefano Gabbana, who excitedly revealed their first collaboration via the social media site back in November, and has already tweeted photos from the NY menswear shoot.

From Vogue.com UK

German Magazines: In Touch, Life And Style and OK!

Even more German magazines feature Madonna, Lourdes and Mercy's recent trip to Malawi - below are scans from the current issues of In Touch, Life And Style and OK! magazines. Click on the articles to enlarge.

Thanks to Kirsten

South African TV: Sticky & Sweet Tour

Madonna's Sticky & Sweet Tour: Live from Buenos Aires will be aired on DSTV's MNET channel at 14:00 on Tuesday 27 April ( Freedom Day ) in South Africa.

Thanks to Gareth

Events: Hollywood Glee / Sticky & Sweet Party

German Magazines: Bunte, Grazia and In

The current editions of German magazines Bunte, Grazia and In all feature articles about Madonna's recent trip to Malawi with daughters Lourdes and Mercy.

Thanks to Kirsten

Madonna: New footage, same attitude

Advocate.com have published a clip that just looks like an outtake from the shooting of the Vogue video. Their sources say it is from an unreleased Nike commercial:

The clip finds the Madonna making fun of her late ‘80s Pepsi scandal. In the video footage Madonna has her arms covering her bare chest, looks at the camera smiling, and says, 'I wear what I want and I do what I want. Ask Pepsi.'
With the last remark, the entertainer references the 1989 controversy, in which she was paid a then-record $5 million as part of an endorsement deal, that included the filming of a commercial for the soft drink. The deal was scrapped by Pepsi executives due to threats of protests from right-wing Christian groups, such as the American Family Association, due to perceived sacrilege in her 'Like A Prayer' video, now considered one of the creative high points of Madonna’s storied career. The singer was allowed to keep the $5 million and her commercial aired only once on network television.