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July 2013

Debi Mazar Talks Madonna On 'Watch What Happens: Live'

Actress Debi Mazar dropped by the clubhouse on 'Watch What Happens: Live' and Andy Cohen couldn't wait to ask her a few questions about her BFF, Madonna. The two have been friends since before either one of them had any sort of fame.
Cohen did limit himself to 45 seconds, but anyone who knows how fast he talks knows that he can still pump a lot of questions at her in that span of time. Through his grilling of Mazar he learned that Madge smells like gardenias, loves salted fish and is a feisty Leo. Mazar also said that 'Sean' was Madonna's true love - but when asked to clarify if she was referring to Sean Penn, she said only, 'Maybe.'
'Did Madonna ever steal any of your boyfriends?' Cohen asked her. Mazar said yes, but then backed up. She said that Madonna had tried to steal her boyfriend, but it didn't happen. She also revealed a strange Madonna-Bravo connection. Apparently, Madonna used to get 'spiritual baths' and 'blessings' from self-professed witch, Mama Elsa of 'The Real Housewives of Miami.'
Mazar and Madonna met in an elevator back in the '80s. It's a story NewNowNext's Chris Spargo declared the 'Best. Story. Ever.' Mazar was working the elevator at a club when Madonna walked in. 'She came into my elevator, and a great song was spinning and she goes, ‘Hey, you wanna dance?' And I was like, ‘Yeah!’ And I parked the elevator, and we had a great dance together and then later on we danced some more,' Mazar said. 'From there on we became pals and started dancing and hanging out.'

From www.huffingtonpost.com


Madonna premieres new #SecretProject trailer

Madonna has released a new teaser for an upcoming #secretproject.
The singer has teamed up with Steven Klein for a new, currently-unknown collaboration and has previewed a new video clip for fans.
The black and white short pans across a series of shirtless male models as Madonna makes declarations during a voiceover.
'I feel that people are becoming more and more afraid of people who are different,' she says. 'People are becoming more and more intolerant.'
It is not yet known what Madonna is working on, but the star has been promoting the hashtag #secretproject to get fans excited.

From Digital Spy


The Competition for Credit Launching Madonna's Career

Reggie Lucas worked in the studio with Madonna as she recorded her self-titled album, which turns 30 this week. But he says he hasn't gotten his full due.

On July 27, 1983, the world would be introduced to a budding superstar from the streets of New York City (by way of Bay City, Michigan) named Madonna. On that date 30 years ago, Sire Records released her debut, Madonna. The record would go on to sell more than 10 million copies worldwide and spawn five singles, including the hits 'Holiday,' 'Lucky Star,' and 'Borderline.'

Behind the boards during recording was producer Reggie Lucas, who had seen success working with Lou Rawls, Stephanie Mills, Phyllis Hyman, and Roberta Flack, among other artists. Later in the process, Madonna brought in DJ John 'Jellybean' Benitez to assist.

In the years since the album's release, Madonna's become a household name, one of music's most influential artists ever, and a source of controversy - including among her collaborators. Speaking with Lucas about recording Madonna, about what made its singer so novel, and about who he think really deserves credit for the album that served as a launchpad for one of the greatest pop acts in history.

To read the full interview with Reggie Lucas visit www.theatlantic.com/entertainment


'Madonna' Turns 30: A Look Back at the Debut Album

30 years ago today ‪‎Madonna‬ released her first album. Thanks for bringing all your fans together for the journey so far, some of us joined at the beginning, some were later to the ride, but we all are having a great time!

Visit www.billboard.com to read Keith Caulfield's view on Madonna's debut album.

And have your say on what Madonna's best fashion phase was during the 30 years at popstyle.ew.com


'What am I going to do now? When I need an apple tart?'

At yesterday’s funeral Mass in Dublin for Glenageary architect David Collins, his close friend Madonna waited until after Holy Communion to enter the Church of St Patrick in Monkstown, escorted by a bodyguard and flanked by female friends.
A clearly excited church warden handed out missalettes to the new arrivals, who were on time to join in the final hymns, but not to hear the tribute given by priest Fr Michael Collins, who described his celebrity brother as generous to a fault, soft-hearted and a brilliant mimic.
Collins, who died in London last week having been diagnosed with skin cancer less than a month ago, was an internationally acclaimed designer of restaurants and hotels such as Claridge’s, the Connaught Hotel’s bar and Nobu.
Madonna gave what the family described as an 'absolutely beautiful' speech about Collins to the 80 guests invited to lunch at the Ritz-Carlton in Powerscourt, following the burial at Shanganagh Cemetery. 'She flew in on her private plane, like Graham Norton flew in on his,' said Fr Michael, 'and she entertained everyone.'
At the Ritz-Carlton, Madonna remembered meeting Collins in the 1990s in Miami, where he had designed a nightclub for a mutual friend.
Later, when she moved to London to perform in the West End, she said she had known nobody in the city and that Collins had come to her rescue, telling her exactly what to do and where to go. The pair had remained close ever since. 'What am I going to do now?' she said, 'When I need an apple tart, or anything.'
Graham Norton also spoke at the lunch. The late architect, who grew up in Glenageary and studied at Bolton Street, was best known as a designer of ultra-fashionable restaurants and bars and worked with many leading chefs including Marco Pierre White and Gordon Ramsay.

From www.irishtimes.com


Madonna, Jay Z and Justin not joining boycott

Jay Z, Madonna and Justin Timberlake's representatives deny the stars are boycotting Florida law by refusing to perform in the state.
Stevie Wonder announced his decision to protest the state's controversial Stand Your Ground Law by taking the unique stance earlier this month.
The legislation is blamed by critics for causing upset in the acquittal of accused murderer George Zimmerman.
The 29-year-old was recently cleared of all charges in the shooting death of an unarmed teenager, Trayvon Martin, whom Zimmerman gunned down on the teen's walk home in Sanford, Florida last year.
Recent reports suggested Jay, Madonna, Justin, as well as Kanye West, The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Usher and Rihanna, had joined Stevie in the fight by refusing to play in the state until the law is abolished.
The list of stars supporting the Superstition hitmaker was initially published by the American Urban Radio Networks.
However, representatives for the aforementioned trio insist the reports are baseless.
'I don't know where this list came from,' one representative told Variety.
Stevie announced his efforts while performing in Quebec City last week.
'I decided today that until the Stand Your Ground law is abolished in Florida, I will never perform there again,' he proclaimed.
'As a matter of fact, wherever I find that law exists, I will not perform in that state or in that part of the world.'
A spokesperson for the hitmaker has yet to offer further comment on the boycott.

From Yahoo! News


Madonna among mourners at funeral of David Collins

Many friends of the architect David Collins, including Madonna, gathered at St Patrick’s Church in Monkstown Co Dublin today for his funeral mass.
The acclaimed architect, who was 58, died last Wednesday from skin cancer.
Madonna arrived very discreetly carrying a bouquet of flowers and went for tea in the parochial house with David Collins’ mother, Helen, after the mass. Graham Norton was visibly upset during the homily which was given by David’s brother, Fr Michael Collins, curate of St Mary’s on Haddington Road.
The designer Tom Ford rang the family at the weekend to offer his condolences on the death of his good friend.
Fr Collins said that when David was still in his early twenties he headed to England where he got a job as an architect. He loved England and all the excitement and all the opportunities that presented themselves to him and he adapted to life very well there.
Mr Collins was an internationally acclaimed interior designer, and his projects included Claridge’s, The Connaught Hotel’s bar and Nobu restaurant.
'David was a great mimic and had an outrageous sense of humour and liked to exaggerate a story,' his brother told the congregation.
Fr Collins said that fifty eight years ago David was born less than five minutes walk away in Tudor Hall on The Hill in Monkstown which was his grandmother’s house.
'He was born to Jackie and Helen as their first son and was already the little brother to Geraldine and Paula and later on became my big brother.'
Eight days later he was brought to St Patrick’s Church to be baptized 'for that reason today brings us full circle and to completion of his life,' he said.
The final hymn was Canon Sydney MacEwan’s Bring Flowers of the Rarest which was, according to Fr Collins, 'a particular favourite of David’s'.
Among the chief mourners at the funeral were David Collins’ mother, Helen, and his sisters Geraldine McAlinden and Paula Hickey.
Irish friends included the fashion designer Louise Kennedy; the editor of Image Magazine Melanie Morris; the founder of The World of Interiors Kevin Kelly and the fashion designer-turned-antique-dealer Michael Mortell.
Family and friends travelled to the Ritz Carlton hotel in Enniskerry after the burial in Shanganagh Cemetery.

From www.irishtimes.com


Madonna joins boycott against Florida 'stand your ground' law

A source close to singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder has released a list of some the biggest names in the music industry joining in the boycott against Florida’s 'stand your ground' laws.
Artists joining Mr. Wonder reportedly include Rod Stewart, Madonna, Usher, Justin Timberlake, R. Kelly, Rihanna and Alicia Keys. Rappers Jay-Z, Kanye West, Trey Songz, Young Jeezy and Wale also signed on to the boycott, The Hill reported.
The 63-year-old Mr. Wonder said he would not be performing in Florida or any other state that recognizes 'stand your ground' laws, which some say contributed to George Zimmerman’s acquittal in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
'I decided today that until the Stand Your Ground law is abolished in Florida, I will never perform there again,' Mr. Wonder said July 14 while performing in Quebec City. 'As a matter of fact, wherever I find that law exists, I will not perform in that state or in that part of the world.'
According to America Urban Radio’s April Ryan, several artists on the list already have canceled performances in the Sunshine State.

From www.washingtontimes.com


Madonna joins 100 stars demanding Pussy Riot release

More than 100 famous musicians including Madonna, Elton John and Sting called Monday for Russia to release two members of feminist punk-rock band Pussy Riot, jailed for an anti-government protest performance.
In an open letter coordinated by rights group Amnesty International, the celebrities voiced their support for Maria Alyokhina, 25, and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 23, and decried their 'shockingly unjust trial and imprisonment.'
The two women are being held in separate Russian penal colonies to serve two-year jail terms imposed after their band performed a protest song against President Vladimir Putin in an Orthodox cathedral in Moscow in February, 2012.
'While understanding the sensitivities of protesting in a place of worship, we ask that the Russian authorities review these harsh sentences, so that you may return to your children, your families and your lives,' read the letter.
'You have been accused of what could be described as 'a victimless' crime, but in our opinion, in a just society, there can be no crime where there is no identifiable victim,' it continued.
'Your strength, bravery and fearlessness are an inspiration to us all,' concluded the letter, signed by the likes of Joan Baez, Bjork, the Clash, PJ Harvey, Patti Smith, Paul McCartney, Youssou N'Dour and Bruce Springsteen.
The letter was published ahead of scheduled appeal hearings on July 24 and 26 for the two imprisoned band members, nearly a year after their initial sentences last August.
A third member of the band, Yekaterina Samutsevich, was convicted but later released on appeal with a suspended sentence and strict probation conditions.

From AFP Via Yahoo! News


Madonna mourns loss of good friend David Collins

Madonna is riddled with grief following the death of one of her closest friends.
Madonna flew into town to attend the funeral of her dear pal David Collins. The famed interior designer worked on famous London hotel Claridge’s and he also designed a number of Madonna’s homes.
David perished on Wednesday at the age of 58 after being diagnosed with skin cancer less than a month ago.
'Madonna is beside herself with grief,' a source told British newspaper The Sun. 'David was one of her closest pals for years - she adored him.'
It is rumoured that Madonna is still caught up in the shock of how swiftly her friend died. David’s death seemed to have come too soon for the star.
'They’d often have a laugh around London, driving around together,' the insider detailed. 'She can’t believe he died just three weeks after his diagnosis.'
Madonna acknowledged the passing of David on her Instagram account.
She posted a photograph of red roses along with a caption that read, 'In memory of David Collins. He was a great talent and a good and loyal friend for 17 years! God bless him and may he RIP.'
It is thought Madonna will be heading to David’s native Ireland for his funeral in Dublin within the next week.

From Yahho! News


Events: SONGS OF PRAISE: LIKE A PRAYER

After partying the afternoon away at The MDNA London Fan Premiere Party why not head over to East London for this event too?

SONGS OF PRAISE: LIKE A PRAYER
(Starring a special pop-up edition of MADONNA CELEBRATE)

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/149071795287735/

SONGS OF PRAISE is back again and in the month of our lady’s birth, we’re throwing our favourite Material Girl a True Blue birthday bash. That’s right, love her or loathe her, Madonna is the undisputed “Queen of Pop” and we intend to have a Celebration!

For those of you that want to know What It Feels Like For A Girl, we encourage you to Express Yourself by serving us your favourite Madge inspired look - prizes for the BEST, WORST and FUNNIEST outfits, so Keep It Together and we’ll be asking Who’s That Girl!

ROOM 1
As usual, our resident Angel(s) THE SUGALOW BOYS, DAVID OH and NEIL PRINCE will be making you Jump in the Altar room with a pumping pop mix of classic tunes, cool new tracks and some of the hottest sounds around - these boys will make you Open Your Heart and get Deeper and Deeper into the Music!
Plus, we have a special guest set from THE MEN THAT FELL TO EARTH / REBEL REBEL.

ROOM 2
Get Into the Groove in the Chapel Bar with Lucky Star, PHIL MARRIOTT (JEMMONE RADIO), who’ll be Burning Up the floor with club classics old and new to get you into a funky Fever that’ll have you screaming like a Girl Gone Wild.
Phil has been working as a DJ and radio presenter for over fifteen years, including five years as Head of Music a GaydarRadio and regularly plays club dates nationally and internationally, including: XXL, SupermartXe and Onyx to name just a few.

ROOM 3
Ray of Light, DJ KURT HOFFMAN (TRAFIK) will be Causing A Commotion in the Pop Confessional with a special pop-up edition of MADONNA CELEBRATE. With non-stop Madonna hits (including some rare gems) there’s bound to be some Hanky Panky going on.

Kurt has worked in the music business for over 25 years and started Madonna Celebrate back in 2005, a not for profit clubbing experience dedicated to raising money for charity celebrating the Queen of Pop and her illustrious career with an annual nightclub extravaganza.

With CHEAP ENTRY before midnight, SONGS OF PRAISE: LIKE A PRAYER is the place to be for Everybody that wants to Vogue to great pop music with a Beautiful Stranger…and we’re not sorry, it’s Human Nature.

EAST BLOC
217 City Road
London EC1V 1JN

TUBE: Old Street

SAT 03 AUG / 10.30PM - 6AM / £5 B4 MIDNIGHT, £8 AFTER


Events: The MDNA London Fan Premiere Party!

2 WEEKS TODAY UNTIL THE MDNA LONDON FAN PREMIERE PARTY!

The DVD/BluRay release may have been moved to September to allow the inclusion of a CD set with the package, but the London Fan Premiere of the MDNA Tour still goes ahead as scheduled on 3rd August. (There was never any link between the Party date and DVD release date). Everyone excited?

Madonna’s team have ensured we have a number of great prizes to give away between 2pm and 10.30pm during the event, and that the event will – as usual – be entirely FREE to enter for Madonna’s fans! To enter simply join the Facebook Event link so we know you're coming!

This will be an extra special event as we will be opening the Party with the complete MDNA Tour from 2.00pm, which will be followed by nearly 7 hours of non-stop Madonna videos, remix videos and live clips! Do NOT be late!

Once the venue reaches capacity we operate a strict one in/one out policy so do advise you to arrive early at 2pm and plan to stay after that so you don’t miss a single beat.

Saturday 3rd August, G-A-Y Late, Goslett Yard, Soho
Doors open: 2.00pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/139131136288059/


Site News: Gallery

Just an update on the madonnalicious server. It is back online after the hacking but I have the slow process of uploading all the gallery pictures again...and it is taking ages! Everything up to 2010 is back online, the rest will be back online over the next few days. Thanks for your patience!

'Like A Prayer' re-release rumours denied

Earlier this week a story was published on examiner.com about plans to re-release the 'Like A Prayer' album to celebrate it's 25th anniversary. The article mentioned lots of exciting special extras that would be included on the release.

madonnalicious has spoken to Warner Brothers who state they are not sure where this rumour started but they have nothing on schedule for this re-release.


Madonna, Defend Paris Team Up for Human Rights

Madonna’s mystery video now has a name. The gritty dance/fashion film the singer shot with Steven Klein #secretproject video is part of a campaign to raise money for human rights causes through a new label inspired by old-school streetwear called Defend Paris. Madonna was among the first to wear a black and white screen-printed hoodie from its inaugural collection in May, featuring an assault rifle emblazoned in the center of the logo.
The singer’s boyfriend, Brahim Zaibat, is among a group behind the label, a cloak and dagger operation that has promoted itself with imagery utilizing gun violence as a narrative. For now, the Paris-based designers wish to remain anonymous. But a spokesperson for the collective says Zaibat will appear in ad imagery on Defend’s newly-launched website, which includes a lookbook and e-store of black and white hoodies, sweatshirts, tank tops, T-shirts and hats. The items, made in France, retail for 25-55€.
The spokesperson would not say if Madonna will be involved in the design process, although several high-profile figures are being lined up for collaborations, each choosing a charity they would like to 'defend.' Zachary Quinto will be among those designing collections and Chris Brown, Rihanna and Steve Aoki have also been seen wearing the brand. 'Some of them will design Defend Paris clothing,' the spokesperson said, adding, 'Some of them just loved the concept...and supported us.' Proceeds will be donated to a cause of each designer’s choice.

From www.wwd.com/fashion-news


Lola’s Summer, Sun, and Selfies

Lola has posted her latest entry on the Material Girl Collection blog and posted this selfie of her and Madonna:

Hi everyone and happy summer! I find that now that summer is here, and the sun is LITERALLY blazing on my face and body, I really appreciate winter. I mean…my hair gets hot…my hair! Despite the excess back sweat one gets from walking two blocks, it’s nice to get some vitamin D and be able to go to the beach and hang out outside, obviously. Ironically, my friends and I always plan to hang out in the park and end up at someone’s house with air conditioning.

To read the full blog visit blog.materialgirlcollection.com

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Events: 'Queen (A Portrait of Madonna)'

What happens when 30 Madonna fans sing the iconic artist’s entire 'Immaculate Collection' album a capella?
I recently went to the SCAD Museum of Art to find out. Video artist Candice Breitz serves up a thick slice of nostalgia-infused karaoke in 'Queen (A Portrait of Madonna),' a delirious, jubilant tribute to pop culture.

This project originally began in 2005, when Breitz assembled a group of music fans in Milan, Italy, to sing Madonna’s legendary 1990 greatest hits album from start to finish. Wearing tiny earphones, each fan sang, danced and primped in solitude, occupying one of 30 video screens arranged in a 6-by-5 grid.
'The shoots are unrehearsed and extremely intimate,' Breitz said of the experience in Milan. 'The fans are incredibly generous in their performances, and it’s important for them to be able to trust us.'

This high-energy video installation kicks off with 'Like a Prayer' as fans of all ages, races and sexual persuasions (including one drag queen) express themselves through performance. 'Queen' boasts an impressive 30-channel set-up, with more than 73 minutes of music and performance.
Although The New York Times has criticized Breitz’s work as being 'shallow but entertaining,' I think there’s an undeniable charm to how the artist boldly appropriates pop culture.

The magic of 'Queen' lies in the way the individual voices of 30 strangers combine to create an otherworldly choir in songs like 'Vogue' and 'Cherish,' suggesting that we are all truly greater than the sum of our parts.
Each amateur performer reveals a heartfelt, emotional connection to Madonna’s lyrics, rhythms, melodies and harmonies. Through song, the fans in each isolated video screen merge into a symbiotic whole, implying that the boundaries which divide us are ultimately porous and illusory.

Influenced by Andy Warhol’s experimental 'Screen Tests' shot in the 1960s, Breitz has also created similar tributes to Michael Jackson, Bob Marley and John Lennon. Each of these video “portraits” invites the audience to think about cultural icons as a composite of the people whose lives they have influenced.
'I’m less interested in the portrait as an externalization of some kind of interior essence than I am in the portrait as a reflective surface,' Breitz has explained.
'I’m interested in the biographical dimension of pop, the way that it can become the soundtrack to a life.'

What: Candice Breitz: 'Queen (A Portrait of Madonna)'
Where: SCAD Museum of Art, 601 Turner Blvd.
When: Through July 14
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday; noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Admission: $10; $8 senior/military; $20 family admission; $5 SCAD alumni; free for SCAD students, faculty and staff and children younger than 14
Info: 525-7191 or www.scadmoa.org

Article by Allison Hersh from http://savannahnow.com/arts


Rita Ora Shines in Campaign for Material Girl

Tastemakers like Jay-Z, Karl Lagerfeld, and Snoop Lion have all shown enthusiastic support for London-raised singer Rita Ora. And now another famous influencer can be added to her growing list of fans: Madonna.
The pop queen and her daughter, Lourdes Leon, chose the 'How We Do' singer, 22, to be the new face of their fashion line Material Girl - and Us has the exclusive first look at its 'Material Girl Hits London' campaign. In the fun shot, the singer, who was born in war-torn Kosovo, salutes the camera while wearing a bearskin, the tall fur cap worn by the guards at Buckingham Palace.
'To be hand-picked by Madonna and her incredibly cool daughter Lola is the largest of all compliments,' she told Us. 'This has been an amazing Material Girl tour around my hometown, London, taking loads of pictures, dressing up and having fun.' The campaign features images of Ora posing at iconic locales like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and atop a double decker bus.
Past celebrity models for the label include Taylor Momsen and Kelly Osbourne. Material Girl is sold exclusively at Macy's.

From Us Weekly


Events: Herb Ritts Beauty and Celebrity Exhibit

madonnalicious reader Keith shares this news about a Herb Ritts exhibit currently taking place in Oklahoma City:

I am from Fort Worth, TX and was doing an overnight visit to Oklahoma City for a concert that happened this last Friday night. After the show, I came across the attached flyer at a bar in OKC advertising a Herb Ritts exhibit. The exhibit which runs through to Sunday 28 July 2013.

I thought that perhaps you could share this news with the other readers of your website since Herb Ritts has created some of the most memorable Madonna photographs. The exhibit includes only this one Madonna photograph, but it is well worth the visit to view the work of Herb Ritts. The exhibit also includes a video which talks about the life and work of Herb Ritts, his process, etc.

Below is the flyer below advertising the exhibit, and a sign outside the museum - with a Keith's great car (see the numberplate) parked infront!

Herbritts_flyer_okc1news

Herbritts_flyer_okc2news

Herbritts_flyer_okc3news