Join the legendary Fashion Editor Suzy Menkes, formerly of the International New York Times and newly appointed as International Vogue Editor, in an intimate on-stage discussion with fashion’s enfant terrible Jean Paul Gaultier.
For more information visit https://www.barbican.org.uk/artgallery
The performer, who last directed 2011’s stylish period romance W.E., is attached to direct Ade: A Love Story, an adaptation of the debut novel by Rebecca Walker.
Bruce Cohen is producing the indie adaptation via his Bruce Cohen Productions. Jessica Leventhal, the company’s director of development, and Walker also are producing.
Walker, the daughter of The Color Purple author Alice Walker and civil rights lawyer Mel Leventhal, wrote about growing up interracial and with mixed religions in her memoir Black, White, and Jewish: Autobiography of a Shifting Self.
In her debut novel, published October 2013, Walker creates a narrator similar to herself (the mother is Christian while the father is Jewish). The story centers on a 19-year-old American student traveling with a feminist companion in Africa who falls in love with a young Muslim man on an island off the coast of Kenya. Their hastily made plans to marry, however, get blown away by cultural and political forces.
Although very much a love story, many of the themes and subjects in Ade are those Madonna has touched upon in envelope-pushing ways at the height of her music career. Sex, religion, race, lesbianism all figure into the story one way or another. Already a fan of the book, Madonna also provided a blurb that appeared in promotional materials.
CAA is arranging financing. Madonna and the producers on the hunt for a screenwriter to adapt the book.
Cohen was a producer on Silver Linings Playbook and is working on adapting the graphic novel The Fifth Beatle.
From hollywoodreporter.com
'Let the Music Play....She wont get away! #whydotheyhavetogrowupsofast? #rebelhearts'
The latter cut was the lead single and title track from Madonna's 1989 album, which now celebrates its 25th anniversary. It was released by Sire/Warner Bros. Records on March 21, 1989, and shot to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 shortly thereafter. It spent six weeks atop the chart - her longest run at No. 1 for any album.
To celebrate a quarter century of 'Like a Prayer,' Billboard spoke to Leonard - the primary co-writer and co-producer of the set - to discuss the making of the album and his recollections of working with Madonna. (Would you believe 'Like a Prayer' was written in one day? And the entire album was written in less than two weeks?)
In our lengthy chat, we discuss everything from where Prince pops up on the album (it might surprise you), to Leonard's all-time favorite song they did together. Not to mention those rumors that he's working with Madonna on her next album.
To read the full interview visit www.billboard.com/patrick-leonard-talks-like-a-prayer-at-25
Recorded amid the dissolution of her marriage to actor Sean Penn, 'Like a Prayer' was Madonna’s most introspective and eclectic album to date. Unlike the three that came before, it blended classic psychedelic rock with then-current synth-pop sounds. And now, a quarter-century after its March 21, 1989 release, it doesn’t sound a bit dated. Lyrically, it’s about growing up, moving on from bad romance, and getting right with God and family. At least two of the songs center on the death of Madonna’s mother, a childhood trauma that had a strong part in making the singer who she is.
Before 'Like a Prayer' was even released, Madonna made it clear this wouldn’t be just another album. Three weeks before the release, she debuted the video for the title track, the first of five top 20 Hot 100 singles spawned from the album. Featuring depictions of murder, interracial love, and cross burnings, the clip juxtaposed notions of religious and sexual ecstasy, leaving some folks puzzled and just about everyone talking. Catholics denounced her; Pepsi dropped ads featuring her (and ended plans to sponsor her tour). Fans, of course, ate it up.
Controversy aside, 'Like a Prayer' is among Madonna’s finest moments, and over the next 10 tracks, its namesake album never lets up. It’s funky, poignant, and even a little kooky. And while Madonna is the quintessential singles artist, this chart-topping LP stands as one of her most fully realized collection of songs. Read on for our classic track-by-track review.
To read Billboard's track-by-track review visit: www.billboard.com/articles/review
'Working Armani For L'Uomo Vogue! #artforfreedom'
Madonna also posted two other pictures earlier possibly from the same photoshoot.
'Long hair....Don't Care!!!!!! #artforfreedom #rebelheart #revolutionoflove'
'Smokin..............#ididntinhale. #icantwait'
The actress, who plays Daenerys Targaryen in the hit show, said she thought she was dreaming after the pop queen got in touch with HBO with the odd request.
'I thought I was dreaming,' Emilia told Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show. I got an email [from HBO's publicity department] asking 'Madonna wants to borrow the costume is that ok?' I was like 'I must be dreaming.'
Madonna asked to borrow the star's costume, which consists of a blue and gold floaty dress and edgy black corset, for a party she attended over the Jewish Festival of Purim, and of course the TV channel obliged.
The star took to her Instagram account to show off her dressing up skills. Posting the snap alongside the caption: 'Happy Purim!!!!!! All Hail All Queens! ##certainty.'
She even wore a long blonde wig to finish off her look, which seemed to get endless praise from the cast of the hugely-popular show.
Carice van Houten, who plays the Red Priestess in the popular HBO show, joked: 'I was like, 'Why's she not wearing the red dress, man?' No, I completely get it. It's such a great honour for my youth idol to dress up like someone that I'm working with.'
From express.co.uk
The 38-year-old rapper is reportedly being sued for $15.1m in 'restitution' on top of the $1.5m they were demanding for breach of contract, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
She tweeted to Madonna Tuesday: 'ummm ..... can i borrow 16 million ?'
The NFL claims that the extra $15m covers 'the alleged value of public exposure she received by appearing for an approximately two minute segment during Madonna's performance,' adding, 'The figure is based on what advertisers would have paid for ads during this time.'
M.I.A's spokesperson said the claim, 'lacks any basis in law, fact, or logic.'
They added that the 'continued pursuit of this proceeding is transparently an exercise by the NFL intended solely to bully and make an example of Respondents for daring to challenge NFL.'
M.I.A previously uploaded a video of herself discussing the incident on the phone to an unnamed person, during which she accused the NFL of a 'massive display of corporation d*ck-shaking', adding that there were more offensive images on show during the Super Bowl than her flicking her middle finger.
From contactmusic.com
'Looking for Love in all the wrong places! Fear makes you focus......#rebelheart'
The singer and the iconic Vogue editor have joined many in remembering the stylist and fashion designer, who was found dead from apparent suicide at her home in New York Monday morning
Anna wrote on Vogue.com: 'I am deeply saddened by the loss of L'Wren Scott. L'Wren was a total perfectionist, someone who absolutely embodied everything her marvelous clothes stood for: strength of character combined with a confident and powerful style. In person, L'Wren was always unbelievably generous, gracious, kind, and so much fun. Her old world American manners and charm were from another time, but her sensibility was always fiercely modern. We will all miss her.'
Expressing her grief at the designer's passing at the age of 49, Madonna said: 'This is a horrible and tragic loss. I'm so upset. I loved L'Wren's work and she was always so generous with me.'
The tributes comes as pictures have emerged of L'Wren's partner of 13 years, Sir Mick Jagger, just moments after he had been told she had been found dead. The Rolling Stones singer looked visibly distraught as he left Coco's restaurant in Perth, Australia, where he has recently landed with the band to start a tour.
From contactmusic.com
Come and join hundreds of Madonna fans from over 15 countries from 2pm at G-A-Y Late, Goslett Yard.
This will be the 21st London Madonna Fan Party. Madonna’s team exclusively support Madonna Fan Party in the UK, and you can expect prize giveaways, as well as over 8 hours of Madonna music and videos, and of course - FREE ENTRY! If you’re lucky enough to receive one the Like A Prayer 25 Year Celebration gifts, check it carefully, as one of them will come with a golden ticket which you can exchange for a signed Like a Prayer 10x8 photograph!
Doors open and the party starts at 2pm, with the full Like A Prayer Album - Video Event starting at 3.30pm - so don’t be late! Once the venue reaches capacity we operate a 1 in / 1 out policy.
RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/194230947446462/
'Happy Purim!!!!! All Hail All Queens! #certainty'
'Ive got a friend in Jesus! #revolutionoflove'
The photographs selected for this book illustrate the story behind the album, singles as well as the legendary videos that marked music history forever!
The limited-edition and numbered 68 page book (measuring 24x34cm, double cardboard cover, sewn and hard heat-sealed finishing).
The photobook is released on Tuesday 15 April and is available to pre-order now at www.sunset-publishing.net
'The End of a long week with Viking Leader AKA DJ Virgo AKA Avicii! So many great songs! #icantwait #revolution'
'My Viking Harem! Great Music Great Vibes! We were grinding on that. Wood!#rebelheart'
The Brat Pack star, who says the new book (due out April 8) is racier than his first; it tells of meeting Madonna after a show in Los Angeles in 1984.
'She was cute and she was young and she was single, and so I sat front-row.... she was a revelation,' Lowe writes. 'Madonna would like to see you backstage,’ a security guard said as the house lights came up.'
'She had flawless skin and eyes that imparted secrets....she asked what movie I was working on and so I told her a little about ‘St. Elmo’s Fire,’ which I had just finished. ‘I play the bad boy,’ I said. Madonna just smiled. She seemed to like that.'
Months later, they made a date to meet up at the Palladium, 'a giant dance club that was filled with rabid ‘boy-toy’ doppelganger fans of both sexes. It was a madhouse.' After a harrowing trek through the 'grabbing and pawing' crowd, Lowe reached the VIP section.
'Madonna and I were discussing where we would sneak off to at the end of the evening when she suddenly jumped up and said, ‘Let’s dance!’.... ‘I’ll wait here,’ I said. 'Suit yourself,’ she replied as she waded beyond the velvet rope into the fray.' But, unlike the free-spirited singer, Lowe had no desire to rub elbows with his fans. He writes: 'You’re crazy,’ I said, half meaning it. ‘No I’m not,’ she said . . . ‘I’m just not going to let success f–k up my fun.'
Lowe is coming to Midtown to sign copies of his book on April 9 at Barnes & Noble on Fifth Avenue.
From Page Six / New York Post
'Doing some house work before heading to the studio with Avicci!#artforfreedom #clean'
And when people noticed that she had spelt Avicii's name wrong, Madonna replied:
'Doing some house work after 4 hours of sleep which is why i cant spell! On my way to the studio to work with Avicii! #clean'
Avicii, who saw his track 'Wake Me Up' reach No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 last year, had simply tweeted 'Studiomode!' several hours earlier.
There's been no word on what exactly the pair worked on last night, or whether the sessions were intended for a future Avicii release or Madonna's next album. In February, she confirmed to The Canadian Press that she was working on the follow up to 2012's 'MDNA,' saying 'Plans are in the works already. Don't ask me with who, it's a secret. Top secret.'
Madonna's affinity for Avicii is well known. She famously popped up as a surprise guest during the Swedish DJ's set at the Ultra Music Festival in 2012.
From Billboard.com
'Shining bright like a diamond on oscar night thanks to @chimentojewels @neillanejewelry @loreerodkin @jacobandco'
Academy Award winners past and present let loose and dined on dishes such as Caesar salad, penne pasta with red sauce, rice and chicken in a curry sauce and potato knishes, served buffet style. Best Actor winner Matthew McConaughey and his wife Camila were inseparable.
Julia Roberts and husband Danny Moder 'were lovey dovey together,' the partygoer adds, explaining that by the time Roberts arrived, she had ditched her Givenchy gown and 'took all her glam off.'
The show's host, Ellen DeGeneres, and wife Portia de Rossi were relaxed and 'just hanging out,' says the guest, while Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem showed off pictures of their 7-month-old daughter Luna to friends.
It was also a destination for other A-list couples like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, newly engaged Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, Leonardo DiCaprio and Toni Garrn, Jennifer Lawrence and Nicholas Hoult, and Nicole Richie and Joel Madden.
Even Madonna's ex, Sean Penn, popped into the party with girlfriend Charlize Theron. The new couple were 'hugging and very sweet together,' says the source. Also among the revelers: Bette Midler, Meryl Streep, Jamie Foxx, Miley Cyrus and Pink.
But it was Jared Leto and Lupita Nyong'o who brought the most coveted dates of the night: their 13 ½-inch-tall golden statuettes.
Madonna, whose kids also attended the party, changed her outfit at least twice and wore diamonds – lots of them: 'Diamonds, diamonds and diamonds on both wrists, and a headband,' says the source.
From People.com
The 'Material Girl' hitmaker wore Neil Lane jewels, including diamond and platinum bracelets and earrings, and she accessorised her outfit for the bash which followed the prestigious ceremony on Sunday.
She posted an image on Instagram of herself in a red gown, with her blonde hair in lose waves, with a headpiece, with bright red lipstick, as she pulled a pose for the shot
She added the caption: 'The Oscar goes to Party ## 7!!!!! #revolutionoflove'
Madonna hosted her annual private Oscars after party at manager Guy Oseary's mansion and the A-List event was tight on security with a number of staff helping guests check-in. A source told Usmagazine.com: 'There was tons of security and tons of staff checking people in.'
From contactmusic.com
Earlier Madonna had also posted this picture and caption: 'Im just sayin....#speakthetruthandshamethedevil'
In January 1989, the pop provocateur inked a $5 million endorsement deal with the soft-drink brand. On March 2, 1989, Madonna debuted 'Like a Prayer,' the title track of her fourth studio album, in a two-minute television commercial called 'Make a Wish.'
The flashback-fueled spot saw her watching a black-and-white home movie of her 8th birthday, and interspersed footage of the young girl with shots of adult Madonna dancing in the street and in a church with a gospel choir. The fairly innocuous ad aired during NBC's The Cosby Show, and it seemed unlikely to offend anyone. But when Madonna premiered the actual music video for 'Like a Prayer' on MTV the following day, viewers were singing a different tune.
The video's imagery, which included burning crosses, stigmata and the seduction of a saint, drew the ire of religious groups and customers, who assumed it was part of the Pepsi ad.
'When you've got an ad that confuses people or concerns people, it just makes sense that that ad goes away,' Tod MacKenzie, a spokesman for Pepsico Inc., told the New York Times. And go away, it did. Though the commercial was canceled, 'Like a Prayer' spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart that spring, and Madonna reportedly kept the $5 million fee.
The once-incendiary hit went on to become one of the most celebrated songs in Madonna's canon, and it was even featured in her 2012 Super Bowl halftime performance – no small feat in the post-Nipplegate era. But one thing that hasn't changed is the Material Girl's earning power: According to Forbes, Madonna was the highest paid musician of 2013.
From People.com
'Let the games begin! Shabbat Shalom! #hollywoodswingin'
'Sometimes you have to get dirty before you can feel clean. Underneath the darkness there is light! #revolutionoflove'
The group opted to go with a basic green-and-white marker, with hopes of having it installed in the coming months. It would be placed near the intersection of West Thomas Street and South Euclid Avenue, welcoming visitors traveling into town off US-10.
'The goal of this Madonna sign is simply to get people into town,' Girard told The Bay City Times. Down the road, Girard said he hopes to install another landmark - possibly a statue - that would honor Madonna in Bay City.
'When people go to Wall Street in New York, what do they do? They get their picture with the big bull,' he said. 'We need something in town that people want to come and see and take their picture in front of.'
Madonna grew up in Bay City and Rochester Hills and entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.
Girard introduced a resolution for a Madonna sign at a Bay City Commission meeting Feb. 17, and was met with unanimous support from his fellow commissioners. The resolution calls to have the sign paid for using private funds. So far, the group has raised $650. The next step is to meet with the local Michigan Department of Transportation unit in Bay City to agree on the logistics of installing such a sign, said Girard, who hopes to have that meeting in the next two weeks.
From The Detroit News: www.detroitnews.com