Pharrell confirms Madonna work

After collaborating with Madonna on her highly successful 2008 crossover album Hard Candy, Neptunes producer Pharrell Williams will once again be working with the pop icon in the new year.
According to News.com.au, Skateboard P says he’s 'got some stuff going on with Madonna,' though work on a new Despicable Me film as well as a new Neptunes project are taking up studio time as well. Referring to unique artists like Madonna, Williams explained, 'Every session I have I try to take something from and learn different things - how to make great music, how to make that music greater.'

From hiphopdx.com - thanks to Clare

Madonna Artwork in Athens - Part 2

This Erotica stencil artwork was snapped on the streets of Athens earlier this year by madonnalicious reader illteachyouhowto.

Madonna Is Britain's Most Written About Celebrity

Madonna has filled more column inches in Britain than any other celebrity over the last decade, according to new research.
The singer came top of a study to find the star who has grabbed the most headlines in U.K. print press since 2000.
The research by Kantar Media found Madonna has been mentioned a massive 46,017 times over the last 10 years, while British music mogul Simon Cowell came second with 29,888.
Kantar Media researcher Brian Merron says, 'This shows why she's hailed as a legend. That stickability factor in the consciousness of the nation marks her as a special talent and someone who is able to constantly re-invent themselves to change with the times.'

From contactmusic.com

Madonna Artwork in Athens - Part 1

Earlier this year madonnalicious published pictures of some Madonna-inspired artwork that was appearing on the streets of Athens. Here is another example featuring a stencil of the iconic Herb Ritts True Blue shot.

Thanks to illteachyouhowto

Madonna plays Santa for Malawi children

Madonna wasn't able to visit Malawi this Christmas, but she let the children in the six orphanages she funds there know they were very much on her mind this holiday season.
Boxes of toys, chocolate, other sweets and clothes were shipped with a handwritten note from the star, which read, 'To my Malawi children on Christmas and Boxing Day. I wish I was with you. See you soon M.'
Inside the goodie boxes were miniature Christmas cards signed by Madonna, Lourdes and Rocco.
'How so sweet this woman is!' said Lucy Chipeta, director of Home of Hope Orphanage in Mchinji, where Madonna adopted son David in 2006, as more than 500 children scrambled for toys and bars of chocolate.
Near another orphanage, Consol Homes, more than 1,000 people from surrounding villages were invited to an open-air party. All the orphans and under-privileged children who registered with the center received clothes.
'Madonna says she always enjoys the traditional dances the villagers perform for her when she visits,' said Yacinta Chapomba, director of Consol Homes. 'She asked us to invite as many villagers as possible for the Christmas party.'
The singer planned to return to Malawi in November alongside U2 singer Bono, but the trip, according to sources, was rescheduled for the spring.

From People.com

Madonna, NYC, 1982 by Laura Levine

Renowned music photographer Laura Levine is releasing for the first time a limited edition of one of her favorite early images of Madonna as a signed archival pigment ink print.
Madonna and Levine did an extended photo portrait session in Levine's Chinatown apartment back in 1982 for Andy Warhol's Interview magazine. This was right before Madonna's debut album and first single (Everybody) were about to be released. Madonna arrived at the apartment by herself and the two spent the next several hours shooting away.
Between now and the end of January we are pleased to offer this fine art print at a very special price to friends and a select group of collectors.

Madonna, NYC, 1982 by Laura Levine is available in three sizes:

8 x 10 inches - edition limited to 100 ($95. + 10 US shipping)
11 x 14 inches - edition limited to 75 ($200. +15 US shipping)
16 x 20 inches - edition limited to 50 ($350. +20 US shipping)

Each archival pigment ink fine art print in this limited edition is printed on Cansone Platine Fibre Rag paper and is hand-signed and titled by photographer Laura Levine in ink on the front.

Please click here to place your order: www.illogator.com/lauralevine

Due to the custom order nature of these prints, please allow three weeks for delivery. International orders, please email us first for shipping rates.
This introductory offer is only for a limited time. After January 31, 2011 - if the edition has not sold out - the print will be available at its regular price, which will be $250, $350. and $500. Gelatin silver prints are also available, starting at $1200 for 11" x 14".

Happy Christmas!

madonnalicious wishes all our readers a Happy Christmas and thanks you all for your support and news submissions throughout the year.

Madonna tops most talked-about star list

Madonna has been named the most talked-about celebrity of the decade.
The 52-year-old singer has been mentioned more in the UK print press than any other star in the last 10 years, with 46,017 namechecks.
The huge number dwarfs those of second and third placed stars Simon Cowell and Robbie Williams, who received 29,888 and 28,563 mentions each.
Brian Merron of researcher Kantar Media, who compiled the figures, wasn't surprised by the outcome.
He said: 'This is why she's hailed as a legend.'
Contributing to Madonna's name checks in the last decade were her marriage and divorce to Guy Ritchie, subsequent relationships with Jesus Luz and Brahim Zaibat, the birth of her son Rocco, now 10, adoption of tots David and Mercy, and four huge world tours in support of new material.
Though Simon was named in second place overall, the research showed he had been mentioned more in the UK press than anyone else in 2010.
Other celebrities to feature in the list included Kate Moss, Britney Spears, Victoria and David Beckham, the late Michael Jackson, Sir Paul McCartney and Kylie Minogue.

Top 10 most talked about celebrities of the decade:

1 - Madonna (46,017)
2 - Simon Cowell (29,888)
3 - Robbie Williams (28,563)
4 - Kate Moss (28,056)
5 - Britney Spears (27,588)
6 - Victoria Beckham (25,833)
7 - David Beckham (24,953)
8 - Michael Jackson (24, 688)
9 - Sir Paul McCartney (21,556)
10 - Kylie Minogue (19, 694)

From Bang Showbiz / Yahoo! News UK

Madonna tshirts in Cardiff

madonnalicious reader Mark spotted these two Madonna tshirts in Cardiff retail store Pulp this week.

Books: Queen of Stage

Here are some previews of the Sunset Entertainment publication of Queen of Stage - due for release on Monday 17 January 2011 in a limited-edition run of 500 copies. The 240 page book is available to pre-order at www.queen-of-stage.com

$10M suit over Madonna hit

The Spirit One Music group is accusing one of Madonna's longtime co-writers, John 'Jellybean' Benitez, of keeping $10 million worth of royalties for Madonna's 1983 hit 'Holiday' away from them.
According to a suit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, Benitez and Spirit were to split royalties for the song, still popular after nearly 30 years, and Benitez was in charge of distributing the royalties between the two.
But the suit claims Benitez 'repeatedly and unrepentantly misstated and underreported revenues due to its joint owner, Spirit,' and 'repeatedly, systematically and intentionally made delinquent and tardy payments' to Spirit.
The suit says Benitez has 'concocted flimsy, bad-faith excuses for its inaccuracy.' Spirit wants $10 million in allegedly unpaid royalties, said Spirit's lawyer, Wallace Collins. Reps for Benitez did not respond to requests for comment.

From NYPOST.com

Queen of Pop given royal treatment on Virgin Atlantic flight

Like a virgin? Try liked by Virgin.
Madonna and her entourage were let off a Virgin Atlantic plane that was stuck on a snowy tarmac two hours before any of the other passengers, according to London's Daily Mail.
The flight from New York was originally destined for London's Heathrow Airport but instead landed at Stansted Airport due to bad weather, where the plane sat for about three hours, said the Daily Mail.
'As the plane was diverted to Stansted due to very difficult weather conditions, disembarkation was delayed while ground staff waited for buses to transport customers back to London Heathrow,' said a statement from Virgin Atlantic. 'We apologize for any inconvenience this diversion caused, but for safety reasons this action was unavoidable.'
According to other first-class passengers, Madonna and her associates were let off the plane first and were taken by bus to the terminal, said the story.
Virgin said in their statement, 'It is common across airlines that business and first-class passengers disembark first and this is reflected in the higher cost of the ticket.'
Still, no other first-class passengers were allowed off the flight for another two hours, though they were reportedly treated to a performance from the Queen of Pop herself, passengers told the Daily Mail - a yoga performance in the aisles, that is.

From CNN.com - thanks to Alex

Madonna Tells Fans: 'I Need To Make New Music!'

Britney Spears, Lady Gaga and Beyoncé may be readying new material, but there's another woman in the pop-star hierarchy that's itching for a comeback: Madonna.
After a year that included a collaborative clothing line with her daughter, Lourdes, and directing a new film, the Queen of Pop is looking to head back into the studio to make some dance tunes.
In a message posted on her Facebook page early Friday morning (December 17), the singer wrote, 'Its official! I need to move. I need to sweat. I need to make new music! Music I can dance to. I'm on the lookout for the maddest, sickest, most bad ass people to collaborate with. I'm just saying....'
This isn't the first time the 51-year-old pop star has opened up about working on the follow-up to 2008's Hard Candy. When BBC's Radio 1 caught up with her a few weeks ago, Madonna spoke about what she has up her sleeve in the near future, saying, 'I have a movie I have to finish. I have a new record I have to make. I have more gyms to open.'
While the singer admitted she hasn't done any recording for the project, she did reveal that she's planning to collaborate with other artists for the LP. However, it may be awhile before fans find out about her collaborations: For now, she's keeping them secret.
Despite not hearing any new tunes from Madonna, America got a good dose of her classics earlier this year when 'Glee' dedicated an entire episode to the star. And, as the hit Fox show's seven-track The Power of Madonna EP topped the Billboard albums chart, it was evident that fans cherish her music.

From MTV.com

Who do you think Madonna should collaborate with on her next album? Hit the 'Comments' button below and let us know!

German Magazines: In Touch

The latest edition of German magazine In Touch (16 December issue) features this one-page article on Madonna and Brahim Zaibat. Click on the article to enlarge.

Thanks to Kirsten

Special Statement From Madonna

'Its official! I need to move. I need to sweat. I need to make new music! Music I can dance to. I'm on the look out for the maddest, sickest, most bad ass people to collaborate with. I'm just saying....' - Madonna.

From Madonna.com

Madonna's macrobiotic cook home in Japan

After working for seven years as Madonna's macrobiotic cook, Mayumi Nishimura feels she's back in Japan to help change the way her native country eats.
Although Japan's traditional diet is extremely healthy, an increasingly Westernized diet and the incursion of overseas fast food chains have made weight issues, and diseases such as diabetes, much more common than before.
Nishimura, who spent about 25 years in the United States aside from her time - mainly in London - with Madonna, has written a book, -Mayumi's Kitchen,- with menus that blend her Japanese background, her macrobiotic training in the United States, and her experience working for Madonna.
When Madonna's current cook goes on vacation, Nishimura goes back to work for the pop star, who wrote an introduction to Nishimura's book.

To read the full interview visit news.yahoo.com/us_food_chefs_nishimura

From Yahoo! News

Material Girl Collection to launch in Canada

The Material Girl is bringing her clothing line of the same name to Canada.
The collection designed by Madonna and her daughter, Lourdes, also known as Lola, will be exclusively available at The Bay next spring.
The line will be carried at the retailer's 91 stores across Canada with items ranging in price from $12 to $68.
MG ICON, the joint venture between Madonna and Iconix Brand Group, Inc., and the Hudson's Bay Company announced the direct-to-retail licence agreement for the Material Girl brand on Monday.
'Madonna has brought the world some of the most memorable fashion moments making her a true fashion legend. Her style along with her daughter's personal flair will make this collection an instant must-have,' Bay president and CEO Bonnie Brooks said in a release.
'We are delighted to bring this brand to Canada because it offers fashion lovers savvy style with amazing value.'
In celebration of the launch, the Bay is selling a limited-edition sequin tank top available on Thursday.

From Brandon Sun / The Canadian Press

UK Magazines: Hello!

UK magazine Hello! (13 December issue 1153) features an article by biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli on Madonna's love life - click on the article to enlarge.

Merchandise: Madonna - The Scrapbook Contest

The publishers of Madonna - The Scrapbook have just launched a contest. For every ten orders received (up to Friday 24 December) one customer will receive their shipping cost back or a Madonna collectable.

For more information on the contest visit www.editionsnemomedia.com

UK Magazines: Grazia

The 13 December issue of UK magazine Grazia features this four-page interview with dancer Brahim Zaibat - click on the article to enlarge.

Madonna to open luxury gym for Moscow elite

Queen of pop and health guru Madonna will open a gym early next year near Red Square for Moscow's designer-clad elite, who spend exorbitant sums on a fitness frenzy that has gripped the capital.
The state-of-the-art gym, to open in mid-March, will be the second of Madonna's 'Hard Candy Fitness' gyms. The 52-year-old launched the brand in Mexico City last month.
'I know that we will create the ideal workout environment in Moscow,' the American singer said in a statement.
The spacious 35,000 square feet (3,250 square meter) gym is a partnership between Madonna, the U.S.-based private equity firm New Evolution Ventures (NeV) and Irina Razumova, founder of Russian luxury gym chain Planet Fitness.
Western-style gyms have mushroomed across Russia in recent years, with Moscow memberships costing as much as $25,000 a year. Demand for designer gym clothes has soared.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, a judo black belt, has said fitness is vital for his nation, where male life expectancy is just 59.
NeV is eyeing 10 more Hard Candy gyms in Brazil, Argentina, Europe and Asia, the statement said.

From Reuters Via Yahoo! News

German Magazines: In Touch

The current edition of German magazine In Touch (09 December issue) features two pictures of Madonna leading a class at the Mexico City Hard Candy Fitness centre last month. Click on the article to enlarge.

Thanks to Kirsten

Madonna To Open Second Hard Candy Fitness Center In Moscow

Madonna in partnership with her manager Guy Oseary and Mark Mastrov, Chairman of New Evolution Ventures (NeV), announced the opening of the second Hard Candy Fitness Center in Moscow which is projected to open in mid-March 2011.
The new facility will be a beautifully designed and unique 35,000 square foot space located near Red Square. Moscow’s Hard Candy Fitness will also include a partnership with Irina Razumova, founder of the well know Russian chain Planet Fitness. The news of the Moscow location comes on the heels of a successful grand opening for the brand’s premiere location last week in Mexico City, which featured a special dance class taught by Madonna.
'It’s especially exciting to have the second Hard Candy Fitness open in Moscow as I really enjoyed the city and the people when I visited during my ‘Sticky & Sweet Tour.’ Working in collaboration with the experts at NeV and Irina, I know that we will create the ideal workout environment in Moscow that represents my health and fitness philosophy as well as include innovative and inspiring programs,' commented Madonna.
Mastrov, his partner Jim Rowley of NeV, along with Madonna and Oseary are in the planning stages of opening 10 additional Hard Candy locations in Russia, Brazil, Argentina, Europe and Asia. They are currently exploring opportunities around the globe for facilities that will offer a unique member experience in all aspects including curriculum, environment and fashion.
Throughout her career, Madonna has been devoted to fitness and well being. Having worked out in hundreds of gyms around the world, she developed a strong vision on what the ideal exercise, dance and workout environment should look like. The vision took shape during an initial meeting between Mark Mastrov, the innovator behind some of the World’s best known Fitness Brands and Guy Oseary early in 2008.
Mastrov has built a fitness empire of over 1100 clubs in over 20 countries. 'Our goal is to create an environment around the world inspired by Madonna's vision and high standards. Hard Candy Fitness Centers will be a reflection of Madonna's point of view and will reveal her input on every detail including music, design and class curriculum. Madonna's touch will be everywhere,' stated Mastrov.
The Moscow Hard Candy Fitness Center along with others in the planning stages will include proprietary Hard Candy Fitness programming inspired by Madonna and her dance team, a Bike Studio as well as a Mind Body Studio, featuring The Great Wall, where members can practice BarWorks, Sculpting, Capoeira and the newest trends in Yoga. It will also house a healthy alternative Juice Bar/Café and lavish locker rooms.
Members will benefit from state of the art cardiovascular equipment with personal viewing screens, more than 60 pieces of strength equipment/free weights and the best group fitness, functional training accessories using brands including Precor, Marpo Kinetics, Hoist, Free Motion, StarTrac and TRX suspension training. 'We are so excited and honored to be able to open the Hard Candy Fitness brand here in Moscow. Madonna has been an inspiration for us all and we can’t wait to bring this beautiful facility to life,' said Irina Razumova, partner with Hard Candy Fitness and NeV.

From Madonna.com

Madonna's new Mexico City gym gets OK to open

Mexican authorities have given Madonna's fitness club the green light to open after saying the gym was in danger of being shut down because it lacked several permits.
Authorities in the Miguel Hidalgo district, where the gym is located, said Wednesday that the legal representatives of the singer's Hard Candy Fitness had presented all the missing documents and the gym is free to begin operating.
Earlier Wednesday, Demetrio Sodi, Miguel Hidalgo's chief, had said the posh new gym lacked a security plan, a certificate showing it has parking and a land use permit. Sodi said he granted a special permit for the gym's opening ceremony Monday night even though it 'didn't have any permits.'
Madonna attended the ribbon-cutting and taught a dance class for 20 hand-picked gym members with music by Paul Oakenfold, the DJ who opened her last tour.
Madonna said in a statement last week that she wanted to use Mexico City 'as a place to fine-tune our brand and then expand it to other countries and, in the long term, develop a global brand that includes the United States.'
Membership at the gym costs about $159 a month. It costs $827 to join and that includes the first two months.
Sodi, a longtime political figure in Mexico, is the uncle of Latin Grammy winner Thalia.

From AP / Yahoo! Finance

Books: Queen Of Stage

Sunset Entertainment have announced their latest publication - Queen Of Stage - to be released on Monday 17 January 2011 in a limited-edition run of 500 copies.

The 240 page book will take a look back at Madonna's last three world tours and is available to pre-order at www.queen-of-stage.com

Madonna continues the dance with boy toy Brahim Zaibat

Madonna is still going strong with her latest boy toy. Her Madgesty, 52, and dancer Brahim Zaibat, 24, were spotted at the Ava Penthouse Lounge at the Dream Hotel on Thursday night.
A source told us, 'Madonna showed up to help celebrate her kabbalah teacher, Eithan Yardeni. But she brought some of her dancers, including Brahim. They hung out drinking Veuve Clicquot Rose until 1 a.m.' Zaibat met Madonna in September, when he was dancing at the launch of her and daughter Lourdes' line of clothes at Macy's.

From NYPOST.com

Mexican Press: More on Hard Candy Fitness - Part 2

Fellow fansite www.madonnamexico.com have shared even more scans from Mexican newspapers about the Hard Candy Fitness launch party that took place last week. Click on the articles to enlarge.

Mexican Press: More on Hard Candy Fitness - Part 1

Here are more scans from the Mexican press about Madonna's launch of the Hard Candy Fitness centre in Mexico City - click on the images to enlarge.

Thanks to Franco at www.madonnamexico.com

Madonna's gym could be shut down by Mexico authorities

Local TV reports have revealed the queen of pop forgot to apply for a land permit before opening the facility and has a deadline of today (Friday) to do so.
Demetrio Sodi, the Chief of the Miguel Hidalgo Municipality where the gym is located, has warned Madonna, 'If they don’t have a land use permit, they will not be able to operate.'
The singer also needs to present a certificate to show that the gym has parking facilities.
Madge opened the gym this week with a dance class. Punters have already paid £500 in joining fees for their memberships.
The 52-year-old singer told members when the gym opened: 'If any of you have seen my shows, you know I don’t skimp on them and the same is true for the gym. We spend what it takes to make a globally first-class gym.'
'Our plan is to use Mexico as a place to fine-tune our brand and then expand it,' she added.

From Metro.co.uk - thanks to Russell

Mexican Press: Hard Candy Fitness Launch

madonnalicious reader Edgar sent in these scans from several Mexican newspapers that had extensive coverage of the Hard Candy Fitness launch party on Monday.

Video: Madonna works out at Hard Candy Fitness

Here is some video footage from Mexican TV of Madonna leading a class on the launch night of Hard Candy Fitness.

Thanks to Roby

Replica Simpson Jewels Lost On Madonna Movie

Madonna was forced to splash out on replacement replica jewellery during the filming of her upcoming drama W.E., after actress Andrea Riseborough lost a bracelet in the Mediterranean sea, according to a U.K. report.
The pop superstar's second directorial venture features flashbacks of the romance between American socialite Wallis Simpson and British royal Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne in 1936 to marry the divorcee.
Madonna and her team approached jewellery company Cartier to create copies of Simpson's extensive gem collection, which Riseborough wore during filming for her portrayal of Simpson.
But while the actress shot scenes in the South of France this summer, her prop bracelet slid off and was lost in the ocean, reports Britain's Daily Mail.
A source tells the publication, 'We're not sure how it happened, but a bracelet slipped off Andrea's wrist and ended up in the Mediterranean. They got divers to try and hunt for it, but it was never recovered.'
The costume jewellery is believed to be a replica of Simpson's onyxx and diamond panther bracelet which went under the hammer at London's Sotheby's auction house on Tuesday. The piece sold for a staggering $6.7 million (£4.5 million) and the entire lot, all of which once belonged to Simpson and Edward VIII, brought in a total of $12 million (£8 million).

From contactmusic.com