madonnalicious

Madonna and Hathaway 'to serenade Valentino'

Madonna and Anne Hathaway are reportedly planning to duet at a New Year's Eve party tonight.
The stars will be welcoming the start of 2013 in Gstaad, an exclusive mountain resort in Switzerland. Designer Valentino and his partner Giancarlo Giammetti have invited the pair to their lavish bash at the members-only Eagle Ski Club. According to the New York Post, Madonna and Anne may even team up to treat their fashion icon host to a tune when the clock strikes midnight.
'Rumours are flying that both Madonna and Anne Hathaway will take turns serenading the legendary designer, and they might even do a duet at midnight,' a source told the publication.
Anne - who has impressed critics with her performance in the new musical movie Les Misérables - will be accompanied by her husband Adam Shulman. Madonna is believed to be taking her teenage daughter Lourdes along.
The party promises to be an unforgettable experience.
Valentino is sparing no expense on the event and has reportedly splashed out 500,000 euros so far. Guests are flying in from all over the world to attend the bash. They will be treated to caviar, champagne, live music and a stunning firework display.

From belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Fan Pictures: Edinburgh (Part 5)

Fans who arrived early at the Edinburgh MDNA show on Saturday 21 July were treated to over an hour of Madonna and crew soundchecking before the show. madonnalicious reader Attila shares these pictures from the soundcheck and show.

Fan Pictures: Edinburgh (Part 4)

Madonna made her first tour stop in Scotland this year when the MDNA tour played Edinburgh's Murrayfield stadium on Saturday 21 July. madonnalicious reader david shares these pictures from the show.

2012 Top Worldwide Tours

'Pollstar' has just released its exclusive 2012 Top 50 Worldwide Tours Chart as a preview to its full year-end research coming in early January.
This is the only concert industry chart that covers the entire calendar year. All figures have been converted to U.S. dollars and represent the total face-value gross ticket sales for all dates played. The Pollstar database includes specific sales figures for nearly 90 percent of all shows worked by the top attractions and projections were made for any of the unreported dates.
Madonna grossed $296.1 million to easily claim the No. 1 spot on the chart. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band claimed the second slot at $210.2 million. Both acts played to more than 2 million fans in 2012. Roger Waters generated $186.4 million to come in at No. 3. He is also the highest ranking hold-over from the 2011 chart where he placed No. 5 with a gross of $103.6 million.
Proving there is a global diversity of attractions, only 13 artists from 2011 made this year’s Top 50. It is also worth noting that the global brand strength of Cirque du Soleil has never been greater with eight different touring shows ranking on the chart.
The Top 50 Worldwide Tours did a combined gross of $3 billion, which was down about 2 percent from $3.07 billion in 2011.
Total tickets sold was 34.9 million which continued the decline from 35.48 million the previous year and is well off the pace from 2009 when the Top 50 sold 45.3 million. The average global ticket price was $85.93 which was down 60 cents from last year but still well above the $73.83 charged in the more robust year of 2009.
Pollstar’s full research package including the Top 200 Tours of 2012, most active venues and concert promoters, and analysis of the worldwide industry is scheduled for release on Jan. 4.

The full list of the 2012 Top 50 worldwide tours chart can be viewed here.

From pollstar.com

A Big Heart For Everyone!

Brahim Zaibat posted this picture on twitter of Madonna having the shape of a heart made on her neck and this message:

Big heart for everyone !! And happy new year from the queen!!

Madonna Lands 2012'S Best-selling Album In Russia

Madonna may have caused controversy during her trip to Russia this year but her headline-grabbing antics helped her land the country's best-selling album of 2012.
The pop superstar's latest record Mdna has been named number one in the Russian end-of-year album chart, ahead of British singer Adele and her super-selling hit 21 and Lana Del Rey with Born To Die, who landed at four and five on the countdown respectively, according to Lenta.ru.
Madonna took her MDNA tour to Russia in August and she was subsequently hit with a $10.5 million (£6.5 million) lawsuit by activists who claimed she illegally promoted homosexuality at her show in St. Petersburg by handing out pink wristbands in support of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (Lgbt) community.
The lawsuit was subsequently dismissed.
Madonna also hit headlines in Russia in 2012 by speaking out in support of members of punk band Pussy Riot who were jailed for performing a song railing against President Vladimir Putin in February.

From contactmusic.com

Fan Pictures: Paris (Part 1)

madonnalicious reader Fernando shares these pictures from when Madonna's MDNA tour hit the Stade de France stadium in Paris on Saturday 14 July.

buildOn & Raising Malawi Complete 10 Schools in Malawi

This year buildOn partnered with Madonna and Raising Malawi to build ten schools in villages chosen from a list of communities in need of new infrastructure. We said we would build all ten schools within 18 months. We did it in 12!
Malawi is one of the economically poorest countries on the planet; only 12% of women complete secondary education and nearly half of adult women are illiterate. Literacy is a life-changing gift that will transform the futures of girls and boys across Malawi and that will change the economic future of their nation.
Over 4,800 children in Malawi will receive an education at a buildOn school in their own village. Six of the schools are already in use and all ten will be up and running in January 2013. These students will no longer have to walk miles to reach a school in a neighboring village. They no longer have to learn math under a tree, or study their ABC’s under a thatched roof. They can go to class even when it rains. And because of our focus on gender equality, girls will attend the schools in equal numbers to boys.
'I am overjoyed that my commitment along with buildOn’s to help educate the children of Malawi has come to fruition. In a country where girls have little opportunity for education, it’s additionally inspiring to know that more than half the students attending will be young girls. The fact that nearly 5,000 children in Malawi will get to go to school next year is a tremendous step forward for their individual growth and the growth of Malawi,' commented Madonna in a press release.

To read more about the schools visit http://buildonfromthefield.org

MDNA Fan Pictures: Detroit (Part 1)

Madonna's MDNA tour hit her hometown of Detroit on Thursday 08 November and madonnalicious reader Tina shares her pictures from the night.

A Christmas Message from Madonna

Happy Christmas!

Happy Christmas to everyone. Thanks for all your support, news submissions and input over the year :-) Now it is time to put my feet up and enjoy a day off!

'A Very Special Christmas'

The original Special Olympics charity album from 1987 'A Very Special Christmas' (Vol. 1) featuring Madonna's cover of 'Santa Baby' is still available to buy from most major music stores including www.amazon.co.uk. The Madonna track can also be downloaded individually from iTunes.

Thanks to Ged

Video: 'Holiday' in Cordoba after the lights went out

Here is video footage of Madonna and the dancers singing 'Holiday' with the audience in Cordoba after the power was lost and the lights went out.

Drama in Cordoba: 'It was like the world had ended'

Jamesy from fellow fansite www.madonna-tv.com fills madonnalicious readers on the drama that happened when the lights went out at the last MDNA show in Cordoba on Saturday:

So I go all the way to Córdoba, Argentina for the FINAL MDNA SHOW hoping there might be some surprises but NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING could have prepared me for the drama that unfolded there tonight. UNBELIEVABLE to see a stadium concert in front of 50 thousand people plunged into darkness mid-stream. Then for a FULL HOUR **NOTHING** except emergency lighting - Madonna with a hand-held loudspeaker close to tears and no-one knowing what was gonna happen next. It was like the world had ended or something. Madonna looked SO UPSET.

Emergency lights came on and for another minute or so Madonna and co kept singing and dancing and then realised what had happened. No-one in the stadium could hear anything. All video screens went black.

Then she got given a handheld loudspeaker - which didn't work. She tried talking to the people in the Golden Triangle and then in the Gold Circle - no-one could hear anything - it was utter chaos and madness.

After an HOUR they started it again with Vogue. She apologised beautifully before Like A Virgin and then SMOKED A CIGARETTE during the song - she got someone in the audience to LIGHT IT FOR HER!

Aside from that - a few jokes played during the rest of the show (with it being the last one). Looked like they put something in her drink for Human Nature and the dancers wore funny wigs and glasses during Like A Prayer. Also no masks were worn for Best Friend / Heartbeat interlude.

The final soundcheck!

Monte Pittman has just tweeted this picture of his view of the soundcheck from the last show of the MDNA tour taking place in Cordoba, Argentina tonight.

Today is the last day...of MDNA

Tonight the last show of the MDNA tour takes place in Cordoba, Argentina. Since May the tour has travelled through Europe, North and South America, performed 87 shows and has been named Billboards Top Tour of 2012.

What are your favourites memories from the show? Share your thoughts with other readers by hitting the 'Comments' button below.

Video: 'Like A Prayer' in Chile

madonnalicious reader Fernando filmed the Madonna's performance of 'Like A Prayer' wrapped in the Chilean flag at the MDNA show in Santiago that took place on Wednesday.

Congratulations Madonna and MDNA

The latest issue of 'Billboard' magazine features this full-page thanks and celebration of the MDNA tour being named the 2012 Top Tour of the Year.

'MDNA' #2 Billboard Dance/Electronic Album of 2012

'MDNA' ranks #2 for the year on Billboard's Dance/Electronic Album Year End chart compilation,which are ranked by sales data as compiled by Nielsen Sounscan.

The Top Ten are as follows:

1) 'Sorry For The Party Rocking' / LMFAO
2) 'MDNA' / Madonna
3) 'Bangarang' (EP) / Skrillex
4) 'Born This Way' / Lady Gaga
5) 'Nothing But The Beat' / David Guetta
6) 'The Path of Totality' / Korn
7) 'Scary Monster and Nice Sprites (EP)' / Skrillex
8) 'Wild Ones' / Flo rida
9) 'Hurry,Were Dreaming' / M83
10)'4x4=12' / deadmus5

From Billboard.com - thanks to Micheal

Santiago MDNA Show Shortened

A combination of a suspect package, torrential rain and Madonna feeling unwell meant that the show in Santiago, Chile last night (Tuesday 19 December) did not start until 11:35pm and several songs were cut from the show - including the whole opening section. The show started instead from 'Express Yourself'.

Here is a video clip of Madonna in the rain during the soundcheck of 'Human Nature' telling off fans for smoking in the audience.

Madonna Rules Billboard.com's Readers Poll 2012

One year after pop divas like Britney Spears, Adele and Lady Gaga ruled the 2011 Billboard.com Readers' Poll, Madonna dominated the competition in the 2012 edition of our year-end fan forum. Once Billboard.com readers weighed in on their favorite artists, songs and albums over the past 12 months, Madonna emerged as the 2012 MVP, and came out on top in four other categories.

2012 MVP (Favorite Artist)
1. Madonna (26%)

Favorite Billboard 200 No. 1
1. Madonna 'MDNA' (12%)

Best Tour
1. Madonna (43%)

Best TV Performance
1. Madonna at the Super Bowl (38%)

Most Memorable Feud
1. Madonna vs. Lady Gaga (57%)

From Billboard.com - thanks to Michael

MDNA Fan Pictures: Buenos Aires (Part 1)

madonnalicious reader Fany shares these pictures from Madonna's performance of 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina' (whilst wearing an 'EVA' tattoo on her back) in Buenos Aires that took place on Thursday 13 December.

Vote: 'Best Dance in a Music Video'

Madonna's 'Girl Gone Wild' is nominated in the 'Best Dance in a Music Video' category at this year's DanceOn Dance Video Awards. Cast your vote here.

From Madonna.com

Argentinian Magazines: 'Hecho en Bs. As.'

Madonna is featured on the cover of the December issue of Argentinian magazine 'Hecho en Bs. As.' (the Argentinian version of The Big Issue) - inside is a four-page article. Click on the images to enlarge.

Thanks to Anton

Merchandise: Madonna Awards History / Ciao Italia 2012

Sunset Entertainment are currently offering a special promotion with two of their books and a gift:

* Madonna Awards History Book
* Ciao Italia 2012 Book
* Queen of Pop Wristband

For more information and to buy visit www.sunset-entertainment.net/madonna

Madonna's MDNA is top tour of 2012

Madonna's controversial MDNA tour is the top-selling tour of 2012, it has been revealed.
The Queen of Pop's world tour, which has made headlines since it started in Tel Aviv in May, is the highest grossing tour of the year, banking around 228 million US dollars, reported Billboard.com.
The 72-date tour, which saw the 54-year-old singer flash some flesh on stage, was considered a huge success despite the controversies, because all the gigs sold out.
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band came second on the list, followed by Roger Waters in third place.
Madonna beat some of the hottest tickets around including Coldplay, Lady Gaga and Watch The Throne collaborators Jay-Z and Kanye West, who also made the top 10.
Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift made it into the top 25 with their tours, which raked in less because they played less shows than Madonna.

From Press Association Via Yahoo! News

Video: Buenos Aires 'Like A Prayer' with Argentinian Flag

Madonna takes an Argentinian flag from the crowd and dances with it during Like A Prayer at the Buenos Aires show on Thursday 13 December. Filmed by madonnalicious reader Fany.

Video: Buenos Aires 'Celebration' Soundcheck

madonnalicious reader MadMartin filmed Madonna's soundcheck of Celebration at the first Buenos Aires show on Thursday 13 December.

Steven Klein photoshoot in Buenos Aires

Steven Klein has been photographing Madonna and the MDNA tour dancers in Buenos Aires in the past few days - this picture from dancer Stephanie Nguyen shows her and Emilie Capel behind the scenes at the photoshoot. We can't wait to see the final result!

Madonna has 2012's highest grossing tour

Madonna's massive, controversy-skirting MDNA tour has paid off: the Material Girl raked in $228 million from the live shows, making her muscular jaunt around the world the year's highest grossing tour, Billboard reports.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band were a somewhat distant second, claiming a total of $199 million after playing to a little more than two million people. The rest of the top five: Roger Waters at $186 million; Cirque Du Soleil's "Michael Jackson: THE IMMORTAL World Tour" with $147 million; and Coldplay, clocking $147 million. Out of those elite five, only Waters placed on last year's list - the founding member of Pink Floyd filed close to $150 million as 2011's tour revenue.

From www.spin.com

Video: 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina' in Buenos Aires

Madonna beautifully performed 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina' at the Buenos Aires MDNA show in Argentina last night (Thursday 13 December).

Material Girl exclusive behind the scenes look at MDNA tour

From the Material Girl Collection blog at blog.materialgirlcollection.com

The Material Girl team has been provided with NEVER BEFORE SEEN pictures of the 'quick change area' under the stage for the MDNA tour! These pictures are the from the last United States MDNA show in Miami, Florida. We had so much fun hanging out with M and her dancers behind the scenes. Take a look!

Madonna's brother talks more about their relationship

Madonna and her brother Christopher Ciccone have repaired their fractured relationship after four years of bickering.
The siblings fell out with each other in 2008 following the publication of Ciccone's memoir, Life With My Sister Madonna, in which he accused the pop star of cheating on her then-husband Guy Ritchie with baseball star Alex Rodriguez, but it appears brother and sister have since put their differences aside.
The interior decorator tells In Touch magazine, '(The book) was just my desire to tear away from that and find my own way and get people to understand my involvement in that world and what it was about.'
'It's taken us a while to get back to brother and sister and to a good place, but we're there now... She's been on the road, so we email each other. I actually went to see her recent show in L.A. It was great. I can't imagine that she's still working that hard. It's amazing.'

From OK! Magazine

Argentinian Press: 'Clarin'

Argentinian newspaper 'Clarin' published this latest picture of Madonna at her hotel in Buenos Aires ahead of her MDNA shows in the country. Click to enlarge.

Thanks to Anton

Venezuelan Magazines: 'Todo en Domingo'

'Todo en Domingo', a weekly magazine from Venezuela (09 December issue) featured this article from a journalist recalling his MDNA experience at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Click on the images to enlarge.

Thanks to Marco

New Madonna 'Red Lips' Tee and Free Shipping!

Let's celebrate the South American leg of the MDNA Tour with this new 'Red Lips' Long Sleeve Tee! Order your copy now and receive FREE shipping with orders $50 & up (€45/£35) with this coupon code: MDNFREESHIP12 (Free shipping offer is valid through December 17, 2012 @ 11:59pm PST.)

Visit Madonna's Official online store at madonna.fanfire.com to buy.

Vote: World Music Awards

Madonna is nominated in 5 different categories at this year's World Music Awards, the devoted ceremony taking place in Miami on December 20th:

Best Song (Give Me All Your Luvin')
Best Album (MDNA)
Best Video (Girl Gone Wild)
Best Female
Best Live Act

Make sure to cast your vote for Madonna at www.worldmusicawards.com

UK Magazines: 'New!'

UK magazine 'New!' (03 December issue) features this one-page interview with Madonna's personal trainer Nicole Winhoffer - click on the article to enlarge.

Adam Lambert excited to sing Madonna track at VH1 DIVAS

VH1 Divas host Adam Lambert spilled some major beans in the office today when pumped for info about the event! Wearing remnants of a Movember ’stache and some serious wrist candy, Adam let slip that he was 'allegedly' chosen by Madonna‘s camp to cover one of her songs for the show. Yup, just like a prayer, Adam’s voice will be taking us there next Sunday.
The 'proud Madonna fan' stopped short of revealing which Madge hit he’ll perform, but Adam did give us the low-down on what tackling a track by that iconic diva means to him. Which Madonna song do you think he’ll glam rock the best? Tell us in the comments, and watch December 16 at 9PM ET/8C to see the performance along with the rest of Divas lineup.

To watch the Adam interview visit www.vh1.com/adam-lambert-performing-madonna

MDNA Fan Pictures: St Louis (Part 1)

These pictures were taken by madonnalicious reader Martha at the MDNA show in St Louis that took place on Thursday 01 November.

Madonna concerts outsell Lady GaGa 3 to 1 in Latin America

The statistic is even more surprising when taking into account the fact that tickets for Madonna's 'MDNA' shows are three times as expensive as those for GaGa's concerts.
The Examiner reports that GaGa's South American dates have had lacklustre sales considering the size of the venues she was booked into.
GaGa claimed her Peru show had an audience of 50,000, whereas actual ticket sales were reported to be around 17,000, with many tickets for the show being given away free as part of a buy-one-get-one-free deal.
Many of GaGa's Latin American shows also suffered from similarly low turnouts. However, Madonna regularly played in the same area to sold-out crowds of more than 55,000.
GaGa's tours have fared much better in Europe and South Africa, and the 26-year-old is set to launch her 'Born This Way Ball' tour in North America next month.

From Digital Spy

Merchandise: 'Madonna Awards History'

Sunset Entertainment have a new book looking back at Madonna's Award History which available to pre-order now at www.sunset-entertainment.net/shop

Madonna’s brother doesn’t regret writing a tell-all book

After working 25 years with his sister, Christopher Ciccone, 51, felt the urge to tell the world a few stories about his famous sibling despite knowing it would damage their relationship.
And indeed it did, Madonna, 54, fell out with her brother after he wrote the revealing tome 'My Life With My Sister Madonna' in 2008 but the pair have now repaired their relationship and Christopher has no regrets.
'It was something I needed to do so I didn’t go crazy. I needed to crawl out from that shadow.'
'It’s been a bumpy road back. It’s a brother/sister thing now, which is great and where it needed to go.'
The designer admitted it took time for Madonna to forgive him about the book but he believes the experience has been good for him and her.
'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.'
'It’s great to reconnect and it wasn’t just with her, after the book I really got the chance to reconnect with my family as well.'

From musicrooms.net

MDNA Fan Pictures: Sao Paulo (Part 1)

madonnalicious reader Henrique shares his pictures from the first MDNA show in Sao Paulo that took place on Tuesday 04 December.

Billboard Reader Poll to find 2012's Best (and Worst)

December has snuck up on us, and that means another eventful year in pop music is drawing to a close. The past 12 months have offered some unforgettable moments, from the joy of discovering new music phenomenons to the sadness brought on by the passing of some of our favorite stars. With 2012 nearly in the books, it's your turn to decide the most memorable songs, albums, performances, videos, fashion choices and shocking moments in our Billboard.com Year In Music Awards.

Cast your vote before the poll closes on December 14. The winners will be announced on December 17 on Billboard.com!

To vote for Madonna (who is featured in several categories) visit billboard.com

From Billboard.com - thanks to Helio

Events: Madonna Special Party in Buenos Aires

There is going to be a special party in a Buenos Aires on Saturday 08 December to celebrate Madonna´s arrival in the city. Admission is free and it´s going to be full of her best performances, rare footage and videos, and a lot of MDNA material!

MDNA Fan Pictures: Rio De Janeiro (Part 1)

Madonna once again rocked Rio de Janeiro at the Parque dos Atletas last Sunday 02 December, performing to a stunning 67,000 people audience, the second biggest in her MDNA Tour.

madonnalicious reader Leo shares some pictures from the soundcheck and during the show.

Video: 'Turn Up The Radio' Soundcheck in Medellin

Guy Oseary filmed this short clip of Madonna soundchecking 'Turn Up The Radio' in Medellin in Colombia on Sunday 29 November.

MDNA Rocks in Rio

The MDNA tour hit Rio de Janeiro last night for one show - before heading onto Sao Paulo for the two shows on Tuesday and Wednesday.

MDNA guitarist Monte Pittman shared these pictures on his twitter account from the soundcheck and just before the show started in Rio last night.

Please keep sharing your pictures/videos from the South America leg of the MDNA tour to us at madonnalicious@gmail.com

Madonna reveals tour secrets

Madonna uses a nebuliser to keep her voice in top shape on her 'MDNA' tour.
The 54-year-old singer relies on bag of medical items, such as a facial steamer, and natural remedies to ensure she can perform to her best every night and after a concert she inhales a special saline mist to hydrate her throat.
In an interview on Brazilian TV show 'Caldeirao do Huck' - which was conducted in the bathroom of a Miami hotel room - she said: 'Here in the toilet I have my facial streamer, with eucalyptus, to calm down my voice. I also get some ice on my knee, because my knees hurt a little bit after 88 shows, that's why dancing in high heels is not recommended! The tea is for my throat it is made with tree bark and cinnamon, lemon and honey things that are soothing.'
'This is my nebuliser - I sometimes have to hit it to work - it has a saline solution which hydrates my vocal cords.'
Madonna also has several other items she can't do without when she is on the road and she relies on a 1980s cassette player to do her vocal exercises.
The 'Hung Up' hitmaker gets sent tapes by her vocal coach in New York to warm up to and she won't upgrade to modern MP3 files because she says the recordings don't then work as well.
She revealed: 'My vocal coach in New York makes me cassettes for warm-ups and cool downs. This is how you survive a hundred shows. If I put on an iPad it doesn't work, you have to stop, it doesn't flow. And you have to put headphones on and then you can't hear your voice in the room. Maybe this technology will make a comeback.'

From Monsters and Critics