madonnalicious

UK Press: 'The Times'

The story behind the Michael McDonnell photoshoots of Madonna in 1978 are featured in UK newspaper 'The Times' today - click on the images to enlarge.

Why Madonna Isn't On The Forbes Billionaires List

FORBES released its annual Billionaires issue earlier this month, and the list features plenty of new faces (Tory Burch, Renzo Rosso) alongside the usual suspects (Bill Gates, Warren Buffett).
There are plenty of entertainment moguls on the list (David Geffen, Oprah Winfrey), but there aren’t any billionaires who’ve gained their wealth by working as a musician or actor. Not Diddy or Jay-Z, not Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie - and not Madonna.
Yet earlier this week, the blogosphere exploded with declarations that the Material Girl had ascended to billionaire status. Most of the stories erroneously cited a WWD story as the source of this revelation (representatives from the publication confirm that no such piece exists), probably because of a New York Post item that initially linked to WWD before shifting its attribution to another site.
There’s a reason Madonna isn’t on our Billionaires list: simply put, she’s not a billionaire.
We estimated the singer’s net worth at $325 million six years ago. Since then, our wealth team has chronicled the scads of cash she’s earned via our Celeb 100 list, and while she’s earned a ton of money, the numbers don’t add up to anything near $1 billion. She earned $72 million in 2007, $40 million in 2008, $110 million in 2009 and $58 million in 2010. With no touring or new albums in 2011, she didn’t earn enough to make our list that year, then pulled in another $30 million through the first half of 2012.
Add it all up (plus whatever she earned in 2011–let’s call it $10 million) and you get $320 million. Lop off 35% for federal income taxes ($112 million), another 10% for state and local taxes ($32 million) and 20% for management, legal and agency fees ($64 million). That leaves $112 million before figuring in any expenses for housing, staff, travel or luxury goods.
What about that big concert tour? Most of the recent reports have mentioned Madonna’s past 12 months as the reason for her ascent into the financial pantheon, citing sales of her MDNA album and a world tour that grossed just over $300 million. They mention perfume sales of $60 million, tour merchandise sales of $75 million, and other branding deals that add up to $30 million.
But the difference between gross ticket sales, gross earnings and net earnings is ignored. Artists typically take home about one-third of gross ticket sales on the road–in Madonna’s case, that means $300 million becomes $100 million.
To gross $75 million in merchandise sales, she would have had to average sales of $34 per head on her tour (or about $10 more than Justin Bieber). And that’s just the gross number. For most artists, we project net earnings of $5 per head for merch; Bieber’s take tops the charts at about $10, according to his touring team. Let’s give Madonna the benefit of the doubt and say that she also nets $10 per head–over the course of a tour that drew 2.2 million fans, that would have added up to $22 million in take-home pay.
Madonna’s record deal guarantees her a base advance of $1 million per album, but MDNA hasn’t likely earned much more than that. It’s been certified gold in the U.S. for sales of over 500,000, and it seems likely the album has sold at least as many copies abroad. Still, that’s only a little more than a million copies sold, resulting in just a few million dollars in her coffers–about the same amount that most A-list entertainers net from perfume deals, regardless of heady gross sales.
But let’s be overly generous. Let’s say Madonna earned $200 million over the past year. Take away 65% for taxes and management fees, as we did before. That leaves $70 million. Combine that with the $112 million left over from 2007 through the first half of 2012, and you get $182 million. So even if Madonna had saved every single penny she’d earned since 2007–no travel costs, no living cost, no splurges–she’d be worth about $500 million.
Is it possible that she has other assets that have increased in value and therefore wouldn’t be figured into our annual earnings estimates? Sure. Her real estate holdings, art collection and stakes in other business ventures could have increased. But keep in mind that 2007 was the peak of a long bull market; assets that lost value during the recession are only now returning to those highs.
Madonna’s representatives wouldn’t respond to FORBES’ requests for comment on this story, as it seems was the case with all the stories about her net worth published over the past week. And this isn’t the first time FORBES has weighed in on inflated claims about the singer’s billionaire status–staff writer Clare O’Connor debunked one set back in 2010.
Madonna is a cultural icon, and undoubtedly one of the most successful entertainers of all time. She may well reach the billion-dollar mark one day. But as of now, at best, she’s only about halfway there.

From www.forbes.com

Madonna's Instagram: 'You have to be ready!'

Madonna has posted two more pictures from the Steven Klein #secretproject on her Instagram saying: '#secretproject-I want to start a revolution of LOVE !'

And saying: '#secretproject-all will be explained. You have to be ready!'

Madonna's Entry Into Elite Billion Dollar Club

The Material Girl has boasted a multi-million dollar fortune for years, but it appears she's finally joined the elite group of moneymakers whose bank balances top $1 billion.
Madonna's net worth had already been estimated at around $700 million (£437.5 million), thanks to her recent record-breaking MDNA world tour, which grossed more than $305 million (£190.63 million) last year, and drew $75 million (£46.88 million) from show merchandise sales and $10 million (£6.25 million) in TV rights and DVD sales.
Now Women's Wear Daily editors report that Madonna has boosted her personal fortune to a whopping seven figures by making wise investments in her Hard Candy gym chain and in coconut health drink Vita Coco, while she banked another $10 million (£6.25 million) after signing a recent deal with vodka brand Smirnoff.
Her Truth or Dare perfume has also been a big seller - it has taken in $60 million (£37.5 million) in sales, while her Material Girl clothing and accessories line is expected to earn her another $10 million (£6.25 million) in 2013 alone.
If the numbers add up, Madonna is in good company - filmmakers George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, Microsoft boss Bill Gates, Facebook.com co-founder Mark Zuckerberg and media mogul Oprah Winfrey were all recently named among the world's richest billionaires by editors at Forbes magazine.

From contactmusic.com

German Press: 'Bild'

madonnalicious reader Kirsten shares this scan of Madonna at the GLAAD Awards that was featured in German newspaper 'Bild' last week. Click on the image to enlarge.

Madonna's Instagram: 'Free Pussy Riot!'

Madonna has posted a picture of Pussy Riot on her Instagram page advising US fans: 'Fight Fascism! Free Pussy Riot! Watch 60 Minutes on Sunday !'

Singer Unveils Teaser Video For Steven Klein Collaboration

Madonna has dropped some hints about her latest 'mystery' project with a cryptic video.
The 54-year-old singer has been hinting about her collaboration with photographer Steven Klein on Instagram over the past few weeks and has now uploaded a teaser video on YouTube.
Fans expecting answers might be left even more baffled from the new video, with the footage featuring a twitching and moving eye and a blurry red shape, with a soundtrack consisting of thuds and alarm rings.
Madonna - who released her twelfth album MDNA in 2012 as well as historical drama 'WE', which she directed - has been stirring up buzz for her forthcoming collaboration, using the hashtag #SecretProject, although there are no further details.

From www.huffingtonpost.co.uk

'This Used To Be My Playground' By Kindergarten Class

Art Arturo shares with madonnalicious his latest Madonna homage from his kindergarten class.

The kindergarten teacher who directed his students in spirited performances of Madonna's "Vogue" and "Material Girl" is now having his class offer an homage to the Queen of Pop with another of her smash hits.
This time, Arturo Avina's class perform "This Used To Be My Playground," the 1992 song used in the movie "A League of Their Own," in which Madonna starred alongside Tom Hanks and Geena Davis.
Avina, who teaches a general ed curriculum at the Olympic Primary Center in Los Angeles, opted to dispense with the baseball theme. Instead, he based his class's clip on the popular children's book "Miss Nelson Is Missing" with several nods to Madonna's original music video, which also featured a scrapbook feel.
"Sometimes a good pop song is better at telling a story than a typical nursery rhyme," Avina told HuffPost Gay Voices in an email last year. "And it's a lot more fun to teach when you teach what you love."

From www.huffingtonpost.com

More from Steven Klein's #secretproject

Steven Klein posted this teaser trailer for the #secretproject online last night.

Liz Smith: Madonna Is GLAAD for Anderson Cooper

"HEELS OR the combat boots? I know the heels are sexier and campy, but I feel better in the boots, and they are more Boy Scout-ish. I'm gonna go with the boots. Although I wonder what they are going to think when a Wizard of Oz munchkin comes out onstage?"
That was Madonna last Saturday night, mulling the final touch to her outfit for the GLAAD awards. She was there to present Anderson Cooper with the Vito Russo Award. (I won that about 13 years ago. Bragging!) Madonna was got-up in Boy Scout regalia. Her "munchkin" comment stems from the fact that despite her Amazonian image as an icon and concert performer, she is teeny and far more delicate than one might imagine.
So Madonna chose the boots. Her clothing choice was supposed to be a surprise, not just for the audience at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, but for Anderson himself. However, Cooper, a huge Madonna fan was brought back to see her before she presented his award.
"No, no, no! She shrieked. "This was supposed to be a surprise. The bride can't see the groom before the ceremony!" But it was too late. Madonna and Cooper embraced fondly. Although he is a major fan (he saw the "MDNA" tour three times last year in various cities around the world) and she admires him, and is apparently mesmerized by his super-blue eyes, they are not old friends. But now that he's received an award from M, a pinch on the ass from her, and gave her great big smooch on the lips onstage, they might become closer.
During the backstage chat - they did a joint interview later for various media outlets - Anderson, who is even better looking in person than he is on TV - I know, hard to believe - said to M, "You remember my boyfriend Benjamin Maisani." (Ben is a knockout, they make a stunning couple.) Madonna lowered her voice to its huskiest femme fatale tones, took his hand caressingly and said, "How could I ever forget?" Then she cracked up, laughing.
A few minutes later she was marching through the Marriott kitchen on her way to the stage. I'm sure the staff had been told to make way for Madonna. What they thought when they saw the glamourous goddess - who was in fine, friendly, giggly form - in Boy Scout drag, can only be imagined.

To read the rest of the article visit http://www.huffingtonpost.com/liz-smith

Events: Celebrate The Girlie Show 20th Anniversary

Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Madonna's hit worldwide tour 'The Girlie Show'

Madonna's Girlie Show is twenty years old and to commemorate this occasion, Madonnalicious & Madonna Celebrate present 'The Girlie Show' a charity benefit in aid of St. Stephens AIDS trust. Held in one of London's friendliest venue's, The Retro Bar. The event is jam packed with unforgettable Madonna performances, legendary 'M' video's, amazing DJ's, a Material Girl quiz, an 'M' tombola with marvellous Madge memorabilia all to raise vital funds and awareness for our chosen charity. To conclude this very memorable night, a dance and sing-a-long screening of the entire Girlie Show concert on the big screen.

Hosted by David Robson (G.A.Y./Heaven) Neil Prince (Songs of Praise, Guilty Pleasures), Craig (Eurosolutions) and Kurt Hoffman (Madonna Celebrate).

'The Girlie Show' is an interesting area of Madonna's long and varied career. She fell out of favour with some critics which thought she had gone 'too far' and her career was over. Others felt it as her best work yet and applauded her sexual confessions. Once again redefining the rock concert as a form of theatricality and showing that Madonna is a creative force to be reckoned with. The mother of re-invention is still the undisputed Queen of pop!

Madonnalicious & Madonna Celebrate present the 20th anniversary of The Girlie Show
A Charity benefit night for St.Stephens AIDS trust.
Sunday 5th May 2013 5pm - 12.00am
The Retro Bar
2 George Court
London
WC2N 6HH

£5 (+ booking fee) http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/event/47883
On sale 20th March 9 a.m.
Only 100 tickets available.
(All ticket holders on the night receive an exclusive event gift)

Website : www.madonnacelebrate.co.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/madonnaceleb
Facebook :www.facebook.com/madonnaceleb

Video: Madonna Makes A Statement

Backstage at the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, Madonna stirs up controversy dressed up as a Boy Scout, after presenting Anderson Cooper with his award. So, how did she get her uniform?

Madonna wants Boy Scout ban end

Madonna brought out her inner bad boy after she donned a Boy Scout outfit at the GLAAD Media Awards in New York.
The Queen of Pop wore the full blue uniform - shorts, buttoned-up shirt with badges, neck scarf and hat - in support of GLAAD's (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) campaign for the Boy Scouts of America to end its ban on gay scouts and scout leaders.
Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen had pulled out of performing for the scouts after hearing about their ban.
'I wanted to be a Boy Scout but they wouldn't let me join. I think that's f*****-up. I can build a fire. I know how to pitch a tent... Listen, I want to do good for the community. Most importantly, I know how to scout for boys. So I think I should be allowed to be a Boy Scout and I think they should change their stupid rules,' Madonna said on stage in a twelve-minute speech.
Madonna joked she was on a mission to 'squeeze some a**' at the ceremony, as she presented the Vito Russo award to US presenter Anderson Cooper - and even sneakily stole a kiss from the gay CNN host.
The 54-year-old, who has four children, also admitted she was worried for her own children after a string of teenage suicides across the US.
'I want to cry a river of tears,' she said, adding that bullying was an 'atrocity' to her.
Rush Hour filmmaker Brett Ratner received the Ally Award, while TV show Smash was voted Outstanding Drama Series at the awards.

From Press Association Via Yahoo! News

Madonna celebrates Anderson Cooper at Glaad Awards

Madonna presented talk show host Anderson Cooper with a trophy at the Glaad Media awards in New York.
The annual event celebrates the gay, lesbian and transgender community.
Other winners on the night included director Brett Ratner and TV shows Smash and The Amazing Race.
Madonna gave an impassioned speech to the audience about discrimination and tolerance, while dressed as a boy scout.
'When I think about young kids in America who are being bullied and tortured, who are taking their own lives because they feel alone and judged, outcast and misunderstood, I want to sit down and cry rivers of tears,' she said.
'I have teenagers of my own now, and the idea of them, or any young person experiencing that kind of pain is unfathomable to me, It's an atrocity to me. I don't accept it.'
Journalist and author Cooper was given the Vito Russo Award, named after a Glaad (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) founder, which is presented to an openly LGBT media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality.
Accepting his award, Cooper said 'being gay is certainly one of the greatest blessings' and that it had 'opened my head and heart in ways that I never could have predicted'.
Two further Glaad events will be held in Los Angeles and San Francisco to honour other media personalities.

From BBC News

'I do like scouting for boys!'

Madonna posted this picture of herself dressed as a boy scout at the GLAAD Awards on her Instagram page.

Video: Madonna at the GLAAD Awards

Madonna took the stage at the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York to present the Vito Russo Award to advocate, award-winning journalist, author and talk show host Anderson Cooper. The Vito Russo Award is presented annually to an openly LGBT media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality.

From glaad.org

Win with Material Girl!

Just a few Madonna autographs...who wants one?
Follow @MaterialGirl on Twitter and Instagram for more details coming soon!

www.Twitter.com/MaterialGirl
www.Instagram.com/MaterialGirl

'I want to start a revolution! Are you with me?'

Madonna has posted another picture from the 'secret project' on her Instagram page saying: '#secret project. I want to start a revolution! Are you with me?'

Win tickets to join Madonna at the GLAAD Media Awards

Madonna is coming to the GLAAD Media Awards in New York. And you could too.
See Anderson Cooper accept the Vito Russo Award and Brett Ratner accept the ally award live!

For details on how to enter visit www.glaad.org/mediaawards/win

Madonna rocks Brooklyn

Madonna shocked diners at a Williamsburg restaurant when she arrived for one of her dancers’ birthdays. The scene was gourmet Antica Pesa, where the Material Girl was seen - with her kids Lourdes and Rocco in tow - dressed down in a hat and glasses and wearing leather gloves.
After a birthday cake dessert, the dancers had the staff close the restaurant’s curtains and make a dance floor for them. 'They started showcasing some of the moves from their MDNA tour,' said a gobsmacked spy. 'The staff quickly moved the tables out of the way to turn the dining area into a dance floor, which got everyone clapping and cheering, including Madonna, who watched from a table.'
Tom Hardy of 'The Dark Knight Rises' was also at the Brooklyn outpost of the Rome eatery and looked as surprised as the rest of the customers, a source said. Madonna’s group tried to persuade Rocco to join them, but he refused. After cutting a rug to Madge tunes including 'Music,' the dancers 'took a bow and hugged their boss, who approved like a proud mother.'

From New York Post

Madonna's Instagram: Jean-Michel Basquiat

Madonna has shared a vintage picture on her Instagram page saying: 'Me and jean Michel back in the day! Art equals revolution!,lMLK was with us!'

Denise Van Outen poses as '80s Madonna for Comic Relief

Denise Van Outen has recreated Madonna's iconic look in Desperately Seeking Susan for Red Nose Day.
The former Strictly Come Dancing contestant is encouraging people to relive the '80s in order to raise money for Comic Relief.
'I absolutely love all things '80s and jumped at the chance to recreate my favourite Madonna photo of all time,' Van Outen said.
'Going all out for the '80s is a brilliant way to raise money, so all those '80s fans who can't wait to get out the lace gloves and leg warmers should get sponsored for Red Nose Day while they're at it!'
Tips on how to hold your own special '80s-themed fundraising event can be found on the official Red Nose Day website.
This year's charity extravaganza will be broadcast on BBC One on Friday, March 15. Highlights include Jessie J shaving her hair down to 0.5mm, a special Office Revisited skit starring Ricky Gervais as David Brent, and a Peter Kay sketch also featuring Chico, Peter Simon and Brian Conley.

From Comic Relief / www.digitalspy.co.uk - thanks to Ricardo

Madonna's Instagram: More #secretproject

Madonna is teasing us further about the #secretproject on her Instagram saying: '#secretproject. We all live in a prison. One way or another. But there's hope...... A way to escape.'

Madonna's Instagram: Art Equals Revolution!

Another previously unseen picture was uploaded to Madonna's Instagram page with the comment: 'with my friend JR. ART Equals revolution!'

Events: Celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Girlie Show

Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Madonna's hit worldwide tour 'The Girlie Show'

Madonna's Girlie Show is twenty years old and to commemorate this occasion, Madonnalicious & Madonna Celebrate present 'The Girlie Show' a charity benefit in aid of St. Stephens AIDS trust. Held in one of London's friendliest venue's, The Retro Bar. The event is jam packed with unforgettable Madonna performances, legendary 'M' video's, amazing DJ's, a Material Girl quiz, an 'M' tombola with marvellous Madge memorabilia all to raise vital funds and awareness for our chosen charity. To conclude this very memorable night, a dance and sing-a-long screening of the entire Girlie Show concert on the big screen.

Hosted by David Robson (G.A.Y./Heaven) Neil Prince (Songs of Praise, Guilty Pleasures), Craig (Eurosolutions) and Kurt Hoffman (Madonna Celebrate).

'The Girlie Show' is an interesting area of Madonna's long and varied career. She fell out of favour with some critics which thought she had gone 'too far' and her career was over. Others felt it as her best work yet and applauded her sexual confessions. Once again redefining the rock concert as a form of theatricality and showing that Madonna is a creative force to be reckoned with. The mother of re-invention is still the undisputed Queen of pop!

Madonnalicious & Madonna Celebrate present the 20th anniversary of The Girlie Show
A Charity benefit night for St.Stephens AIDS trust.
Sunday 5th May 2013 5pm - 12.00am
The Retro Bar
2 George Court
London
WC2N 6HH

£5 (+ booking fee) www.ticketweb.com
On sale 20th March 9 a.m.
Only 100 tickets available.
(All ticket holders on the night receive an exclusive event gift)

Website : www.madonnacelebrate.co.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/madonnaceleb
Facebook :www.facebook.com/madonnaceleb

Jean Paul Gaultier exhibition to be displayed in London

Madonna's conical bra is going on show at an exhibition on the work of fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier.
The singer donned the famous bra and corsets on her 1990 Blond Ambition World Tour.
They will feature in a major exhibition devoted to the French couturier at London's Barbican next year.
More than 140 cutting-edge couture and ready-to-wear garments spanning Gaultier's entire career will go on show.
Costumes designed for Kylie Minogue - such as the dress she donned in the Like A Drug music video - as well as creations made for Dita Von Teese and Bjork will also feature.
The Barbican described the show, The Fashion World Of Jean Paul Gaultier: From The Sidewalk To The Catwalk, as a 'dynamic installation', adding that Gaultier 'feels retrospectives are about dead people, but he is very much alive'.
Some of the outfits have been lent by Gaultier's collaborators but most of the garments come from his own personal collection.
The designer said: 'I am super excited that the show is coming to London...I always want to go to London, because London, for me, is a special place. In England I've got so many souvenirs and I've had so many experiences and I must say that the English were the first ones to come to my shows and appreciate my fashion.'
'If there is one place other than Paris that I should like to live in, it is London. I've got so many connections with London and feel at home there, even sometimes more than Paris.'
The show, which comes from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, opens in the UK in April 2014 as part of an international tour but will be adapted for the Barbican.

From Press Association Via Yahoo! News

Madonna's Instagram: Secret Project

Madonna has posted an intriguing picture on her Instagram page teasing fans with the comment: '#secretroject' - is this the secret project that Steven Klein has been tweeting about for a long time?!

Madonna's Instagram: 'Love that boy!'

Madonna has shared more of her art collection with fans via her Instagram page: 'A gift from Keith Haring in 1983! Love that boy!'

Madonna to present GLAAD award to Anderson Cooper

Madonna will appear with journalist, author and talk show host Anderson Cooper on March 16 at the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York, presented nationally by Ketel One Vodka and Wells Fargo, GLAAD announced today. The Associated Press broke the story.
Cooper and Madonna are longtime friends who have both used their careers to raise support for LGBT people around the globe.
'Madonna has been a passionate spokesperson and longtime supporter of gay rights. She has embraced LGBT people around the world on many occasions,' said GLAAD President Herndon Graddick. 'From speaking out against bullying to raising support for marriage equality, Madonna has always been one of our community's strongest allies. We are honored to have her stand with GLAAD and Anderson Cooper.'
GLAAD will honor Cooper with the Vito Russo Award at the New York event. The Vito Russo Award is presented to an openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality. Previous honorees include Ricky Martin, Rosie O'Donnell, and Elton John. The Award takes its name from legendary HIV/AIDS activist Vito Russo, who was also one of GLAAD's founders.
'By sharing his own experiences as a gay man, Anderson has reminded millions of Americans that LGBT people are part of their everyday lives and an integral part of our cultural fabric,' said GLAAD President Herndon Graddick. 'He continues to raise the bar and set a new standard for journalists everywhere, and I'm proud to call him a friend.'

To purchase tickets to the event visit http://www.glaad.org/mediaawards

From www.glaad.org

Vote: What Is Your Favorite Tour Of All Time?

Madonna's Blond Ambition tour has made the finals of the online poll to find the favourite tour of all time.

You can vote for Madonna at ryanseacrest.com/finals-whos-is-your-favorite-tour-of-all-time voting is open until Tuesday 05 March 5 at 11:59 PM (US time).

Thanks to Ryan

Video: MDNA Córdoba - The Day The Music Died

Fellow fansite www.madonna-tv.com have been working away putting together the video footage they shot in Cordoba to tell the story of the final MDNA show:

The final night of a tour can often be something quite special. It's traditional for jokes to get played by crew members and tearful thank-you speeches to be made. When the show is definitely not being broadcast anywhere or filmed for future release then there's even more potential for some unusual things to happen on the night.