Madonna attends Keep A Child Alive's 11th Annual Black Ball

Madonna attended Keep A Child Alive's 11th Annual Black Ball at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on Thursday night. She posted two pictures on her Instagram page, one of her needing three people to put on her boots, and one with Kanye West and Ricardo Tisci.

'These Givenchy boots tho....#unapologeticbitch'

'Self Obsession much? #unapologeticbitches'

Givenchy designer Ricardo Tisci also posted this picture on his Instagram page of Madonna taking a selfie of them together at the event.

'#UNAPOLOGETICBITCHES @madonna #love #love #love'

Madonna reveals truth about Like A Virgin

Madonna has finally talked about the Like A Virgin performance at the 1984 Video Music Awards, when MTV viewers were treated to a full display of what Madonna was wearing under her dress.

Madonna admits it was improvised after one of her stilettos fell off.

'Well, I'll just pretend I meant to do this,' she said.

'And I dove on the floor and I rolled around and, as I reached for the shoe, the dress went up. And the underpants were showing.'

Her former manager Freddy DeMann says: 'Was it perfect? No, but it worked.'

Les Garland, former executive vice president of programming at MTV says: 'I think we all know she had a few drinks, because she had to get up the nerve to crawl around like she did. She stole the show.'

But at the time, many industry people felt her performance was a disaster.

Her longtime publicist Liz Rosenberg says, 'People came up to me and told me her career was over before it started.'

Huey Lewis recalls that his longtime agent Dan Weiner scoffed and said, 'This gal, Madonna - this is not going to happen.'

From AAP Via Yahoo! News

Madonna's Instagram: #livingforsleep #olga

Madonna shared some pictures from her home on her Instagram account recently:

'Wewaxing with my Dawg #Olga'

'Morning stretch! Hello Scorpio! #livingforsleep'

'I said no phones on set!'

Photographer Mert Alas published this picture on his Instagram account suggesting that a new photoshoot with Madonna has taken place.

Madonna gives a shout out to the singing nun

'The Voice of Italy' winner Sister Cristina Scuccia recently covered Madonna's 'Like a Virgin,' and received a shoutout from the Queen of Pop herself Thursday on social media.

Madonna posted split screen photos of herself and visuals from Sister Scuccia's 'Like a Virgin' music video on her Facebook and Twitter accounts, promoting the cover to nearly 20 million followers.

The first photo is a screenshot of Madonna's 1984 'Like a Virgin' video, in which she dances through the streets of Venice. The opposing photo features Sister Scuccia similarly posed in her 'Like a Virgin' video, which was also shot in Venice.

Madonna captioned the photo, 'Like A Virgin? #bitinghard.' 'Biting' is slang for copying or stealing someone's style, but can also reference biting one's lower lip in delight. In her follow-up post, however, Madonna clearly applauded Sister Scuccia's effort.

The 56-year-old pop singer posted a recent publicity photo of herself sitting provocatively in a chair, juxtaposed with a photo of Sister Scuccia sitting demurely and facing away from the camera. Madonna wrote 'Sisters for Life! "#touchedfortheveryfirsttime.'

Sister Scuccia's defended her decision to cover a single so closely affiliated with sex in a recent interview.

Billy Steinberg, who wrote the lyrics to Madonna's 'Like a Virgin,' confirmed that the song is about the power of love over a decade ago.

'I wasn't just trying to get that racy word 'virgin' in a lyric,' he told the Los Angeles Times.

'I was saying....that I may not really be a virgin - I've been battered romantically and emotionally like many people - but I'm starting a new relationship and it just feels so good, it's healing all the wounds and making me feel like I've never done this before, because it's so much deeper and more profound than anything I've ever felt.'

Scuccia's 'Like a Virgin' music video was posted to Vevo on Monday, and has received nearly two million hits.

From www.christiantoday.com

Deborah Feingold on Madonna's 1982 photoshoot

NME.com take a look at some of Deborah Feingold's stunning photographs. She talks about this photoshoot with Madonna in 1982:

'I shot this at my NY apartment. I pitched the assignment to a number of magazines. Finally, Star Hits agreed to do a shoot. Madonna arrived on time with her publicist. No stylist, make up artists or managers, just us. We shot for 15 minutes. And as quietly as she walked in, she walked out. Of the 48 frames that I shot, every one was perfect. (That never happened again.)'

From: www.nme.com/photos/13-stunning-portraits-by-deborah-feingold

Ode to Madonna: Singing nun to release Like a Virgin cover

Her love of one madonna is no secret, but her appreciation of another may come as a surprise.

Sister Cristina Scuccia, the singing Sicilian nun who triumphed earlier this year in The Voice of Italy talent show, is about to release her first album. It includes a cover of Madonna’s pop classic Like A Virgin.

'I chose it myself. Without any desire to provoke or scandalise,' Scuccia, 26, told the Catholic newspaper Avvenire.

'If you read the lyrics without being influenced by what has gone before, you discover that it is a song about the capacity of love to make people new again. To release them from their past. And this is how I wanted to interpret it. That’s why we’ve transformed it from the pop-dance track it was into a romantic ballad a bit in the style of [US singer-songwriter] Amos Lee.'

The result, she said, was more of 'a secular prayer than a pop song'.

Scuccia strode into the public spotlight in flat shoes and her black habit in March when she auditioned before stunned judges on the Italian show. She went on to win, reciting the Lord’s prayer at the final in June, and to sign a contract with Universal for the album due out next month.

Scuccia’s version of Like A Virgin is one of its singles. But neither the track nor the video bears much resemblance to the 1984 hit, for which Madonna gallivanted around Venice, contorting her petite frame under bridges and cavorting with a lion.

In a nod to the original, Scuccia is also pictured in Venice for her video, but wears a habit and crucifix throughout and refrains from reclining on boats.

A few of the lyrics have been modified slightly or left out entirely. For example, 'Gonna give you all my love, boy' is shortened to exclude the last word.

From www.theguardian.com

Madonna memorabilia takes centre stage in celebrity auction

Costumes, gowns and jewellery worn by Madonna in films such as 'Evita' and 'A League of Their Own' and in the 'Material Girl' music video will be the highlights of a celebrity auction next month in Beverly Hills, Julien's Auctions said on Tuesday.

They are among the more than 140 items from Madonna's life and career that could fetch a combined total of up to $500,000 in the two-day in-house and online auction beginning Nov. 7.

'This is the biggest collection of Madonna items ever to come to auction at one time,' said Martin Nolan, the executive director of the auction house.

Many of the items in the auction are from a collection amassed by Marquee Capital, a London-based niche asset management company specializing in alternative investments, and other sources and collectors.

Among the stand-out lots is the strapless, evening gown, mink cape and jewellery Madonna wore in her 'Material Girl' music video, which together could sell for at much as $70,000.

Nolan said Madonna admired Marilyn Monroe and had chosen to wear the pink gown that the actress had worn back in the 1950s when she made the film 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.' 'We have that particular outfit,' said Nolan.

The auction will also include the inauguration dress Madonna, wore when she played Eva Peron, the first lady of Argentina, in the hit 1996 musical 'Evita;' the uniform, ball and catcher's mitt from 1992's 'A League of Their Own;' and the white jumpsuit, mink coat and cowboy hat she wore in the 'Music' video.

In addition to the beaded, ivory gown from 'Evita,' Julien's is selling 38 costumes the pop diva wore from the 85 that were featured in the film.

The wedding dress, veil and shoes that Madonna wore when she married actor Sean Penn in 1985 in California are expected to fetch up to $60,000, and the annulment papers ending the union in 1987 will also be offered. The couple divorced in 1989.

Madonna was named the highest-earning celebrity in 2013 by Forbes magazine. She raked in an estimated $125 million from June 2012 to June 2013, thanks to her worldwide MNDA Tour, merchandising sales, her fragrance and her Material Girl clothing line.

'She really is a true icon, highly talented and a very smart businesswoman,' said Nolan.

The Madonna collection, which is expected to attract collectors, museums and investors, is part of Julien's 'Icons & Idols: Rock 'n' Roll,' which will include more than 700 lots, representing 40 artists such a pop singers Katy Perry, Beyonce and Lady Gaga, and country-western star Naomi Judd.

From Reuters Via Yahoo! News

Who Is The Ultimate Pop Queen Of The Last 30 Years?

VH1 are running an online vote-off to find out who is the ultimate Queen of Pop of the last 30 years. To vote for Madonna visit vh1.com/music/tuner/2014-10-20/pop-queen-faceoff/

Iconic Madonna ponytail fetches $20,000 at auction

Madonna's infamous ponytail worn during her 1990 Blond Ambition tour last night fetched $20,000 (£12,000) at auction.

The iconic platinum tassel worn by the star with the legendary Jean Paul Gaultier gold pointed bustier went under the hammer with an estimate of between $3,000 (£1,785) and $5,000 (£2,975). However it sold for four times the expected figure at the Profiles in History auction in California, America, last night (Sunday).

The queen of pop, 56, is seen wearing the ‘I dream of Jeanie’ hairpiece during the 1991 documentary In Bed With Madonna (Truth or Dare) which chronicled the five-month tour.

It is seen being applied by her make-up artist Sharon Gault who still styles some of the biggest names in entertainment. The lot consisted of four combinations of ponytail with a selection of Madonna memorabilia from Miss Gault’s collection.

See more at: www.nathanrao.com/blog/iconic-madonna-ponytail-fetches-20000-auction

Madonna wanted for The X Factor

Madonna has agreed to appear on the final of 'The X Factor' - providing certain conditions are met.

The 56-year-old singer has been urged by the show's creator Simon Cowell to appear on the last show in the current series in a bid to boost flagging ratings, but a source close to the star insists she will only do so if she has a significant degree of creative control over her own performance.

The source told the Mail on Sunday newspaper: 'Madonna will have been provisionally booked because the final can be subject to change if an artist doesn't approve of the finalists - especially if they have agreed to sing with them.'

'Someone like Madonna will want a lot of creative control over her appearance, but for Simon the ratings will be worth it.'

What's more, the source revealed that there are certain conditions the 'Like a Virgin' singer must adhere to if she is to appear the show, too.

The insider explained: 'She has been told that her label will be expected to pay for any stage props and backing dancers she brings with her.'

The proposed appearance could help boost sales of Madonna's next album, which is due to go on sale shortly after the live final.

Meanwhile, another source said: 'It had been rumoured that Irish rockers U2 were being lined up to take part. But that has not happened and the confusion may have come because they share the same manager, Guy Oseary.'

From contactmusic.com

Managers of Madonna & More Unite to Revolutionize Music

Guy Oseary has proven, if nothing else, that he can keep a secret. From everyone - the music industry, his colleagues, his clients, even his wife - and for months now.

But the secret's so important, so game-changing in its scope, that it has given him the rare occasion to be in Los Angeles long enough to accommodate a four-hour-plus block of meetings, keeping at bay a schedule filled with the global itineraries that come with managing superstar acts like Madonna, U2 and Alicia Keys - not to mention a tech fund with Ashton Kutcher and billionaire Ron Burkle, A-Grade Investments, that has more than 20 companies in its portfolio.

Today, Oseary, 42, has privately invited eight of his fellow music managers to his spacious, Spanish-style Beverly Hills mansion for a barbecue - and the public reveal, to an awaiting Billboard writer and camera crew, of their first-ever joint meeting as Maverick, Oseary and Live Nation's most aggressive attempt to shake up an industry that has been plugging holes for years. None of the managers' own employees even know why their bosses will be off the grid on this humid October Tuesday.

Joining Oseary are Laffitte Management's Ron Laffitte, I Am Other's Caron Veazey, Blueprint Group's Gee Roberson and Cortez Bryant, Reign Deer's Larry Rudolph and Adam Leber, Quest Management's Scott Rodger and Spalding Entertainment's Clarence Spalding. Collectively, they manage more than two dozen of the planet's biggest artists. And as of Oct. 17, all nine will be joining their companies and rebranding them and their respective employees as 'Maverick,' a name Oseary's client Madonna gave the label she co-founded in 1992. (Oseary led A&R at the label - at age 22 - and became chairman/CEO before it folded in 2007.)

To read the rest of the article visit: www.billboard.com/articles/news/6288924/maverick-management-group-interview

To read the Guy Oseary interview visit: www.billboard.com/articles/6289026/u2-and-madonna-manager-guy-oseary

Britney's Manager Tells Story Behind the Madonna VMAs Kiss

In the middle of performing a medley of hits at the 2003 VMA's, Madonna surprised everyone by kissing Britney Spears onstage. After a quick camera cut to Britney's ex-boyfriend, Justin Timberlake, who looked confused, Madonna then smooched her other performing partner: Christina Aguilera. But it was the Britney-Madonna kiss that made news.

Larry Rudolph, Spears' longtime manager, talks about what happened leading up the infamous buss, and how Madonna thanked him after 'that kiss happened and the world exploded.'

According to Rudolph, 'Madonna had been very, very, very rigid about the rehearsals. She was telling Britney and I every day, 'Be here tomorrow at 10 o'clock,' he tells Billboard. She would never address me by name, she would just say, 'You make sure Britney's here tomorrow at 10 o'clock.'' Not wanting to upset one of the biggest stars of all time, Rudolph did his part.

All that rigidity paid off. After the performance, Rudolph ended up in an elevator with Madonna, and it turns out she remembered his name. She 'wrapped her arms around my waist and gave me a big kiss on the lips,' he remembers. 'And she said, 'You see Larry, it was all worth it.''

From Billboard.com

Events: 20th Anniversary Pyjama Party #PYJAMAPARTY20

London, November 14th, head South of the river to the legendary Royal Vauxhall Tavern as Madonna Celebrate and Madonnalicious invite you to the biggest celebration this side of the London Eye, it’s The ‘Bedtime Stories’ Pyjama Party 20th anniversary.

Once again our DJ residents, David Oh plus others, will be on deck duty providing the hits, fan favourites and even lullabies most fitting for our little get together. Not only that, we've asked some friends to come along and read you their own ‘Bedtime Story’. Performing something very special from Madonna’s album in their own fabulous way: including the ever fabulous John Sizzle (Gay Bingo), London's tranny with a fanny 'Holestar' (Pop!) and the gorgeous burlesque sensation, Lolo Brow.

It’s been 20 years since the release of Madge’s step into RnB and we think this album is long overdue its rightful night of salute. Featuring hit singles ‘Secret’, ‘Take a Bow’ and ‘Human Nature’ the album followed 1992’s controversial ‘Erotica’ and found her experimenting with a more soulful sound revealing a much more vulnerable side the Queen of Pop.

Madonna Celebrate is hosted by Kurt Hoffman and David Robson. It is an unashamedly fabulous affirmation of Madonna and her music. Now in its eighth year this acclaimed nightclub experience has been awarded The Times Top 5 Clubs, Timeout Top Ten and DIVA Top ten nights out with features in the Guardian and the Evening standard.

Zip up your onesies, slip on that nightie, pop on your favourite pyjamas as we're having a sleepover and you are all invited! #PYJAMAPARTY20

Early bird tickets on sale Friday @ £7.50, Standard tickets @ £10 on sale Friday 17 October via http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/artist/951036

£20 - Special tickets includes souvenir event T-Shirt, poster and badge (Strictly limited only 50 available)

BUNDLE TICKETS ONSALE NOW AT: http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/artist/951036

JOIN EVENT HERE: https://www.facebook.com/events/587290778043600/

Events: Decades of Dance in NYC

They will be giving away tons of Madonna goodies and playing the best dance music from the 70's to today with alot of Madonna!

Fans can RSVP Here: https://www.facebook.com/events/375171709300462/

Madonna, Mermaids and Ariel Pink

Here's a bit of a curveball: Ariel Pink says he's been asked to work on Madonna's new album, the follow up to 2012's MDNA. In an interview with Faster Louder, Pink said he was contacted by Madge's label, Interscope, to help out.

'They need something edgy. They need songwriting,' he said. 'She can’t just have her Avicii, her producers or whatever, come up with a new techno jam for her to gyrate to and pretend that she’s 20 years old. They actually need songs. I’m partly responsible for that return-to-values thing.' (Watch out, Diplo and Blood Diamonds!)

That said, he doesn't sound like he's fallen under her spell. 'I guess it’s called ‘throwback’, but the first record was so good because of the songs,' he said. 'It's been a downward slide [since]. Ray of Light is not cool. And all the other stuff she’s done after that, it’s not like it matters. It really shows a drain of values. People need more substance in their mac-and-cheese. People need more sugar or something.'

It's worth pointing out that dozens of songwriters are asked to write for artists as big as Madonna, so it's entirely possible Pink's contributions will never come to light. (Or that after reading this interview, Madonna will wave her hand and have him thrown to the dogs.)

It's also worth noting that Pink covered 'Everybody' for 2007's Through the Wilderness, a Madonna tribute album. And which Madonna record is 'Everybody' from? Her first one! He's not just being retroactively selective with his tastes, then. Come on, Ariel, you don't even like 'Like a Prayer'?

Guy Oseary, Madonna's manager, has denied Pink's claims on his Twitter saying that Madonna and him have never heard of Ariel Pink. The label may have reached out but M has no interest in working with mermaids.'

From Pitchfork.com

Madonna gives MNEK bag of lemons

Madonna gave MNEK a bag of lemons and some throat-soothing tea bags to help him keep his voice in tip-top shape.

The 19-year-old singer/songwriter has teamed up with the music legend on a song for her upcoming new album and admits the 56-year-old star gave him plenty of advice about how to look after his vocal chords.

He exclusively told BANG Showbiz: 'She's really cool. So lovely and very motherly. She gave me a bag full of lemons and Throat Coat tea bags. They're pretty amazing.'

MNEK is set to perform at a new music initiative, MUSIC CUBE, at shopping centre Westfield London, west London, alongside Neon Jungle later this month, and the star insists it is important for new platforms to be created to promote live music for up-and-coming talent.

MNEK and Neon Jungle will take to the stage in a bespoke soundproof glass cube at MUSIC CUBE, which is exclusive to Westfield London (October 24-26) and Westfield Stratford City (October 31-November 2).

From Yahoo! News

Madonna's Instagram: 'Winter is coming!'

Madonna posted another selfie on her Instagram page with this comment: 'Play or be Played....Winter is coming!'

Madonna Celebrates Malala's Nobel Prize Honour

Madonna has congratulated Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai after she was named the youngest ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday.

The pop superstar woke up to the news and posted an Instagram.com photo of the teenage heroine, who survived gun shot wounds after she was attacked by Taliban extremists for publicly criticising Pakistan's education laws regarding women.

Madonna added the caption, 'My Hero! Malala! Noble Peace Prize Winner! Nothing can stop her! #rebelheart #livingforlove.'

From contactmusic.com

Madonna Defends Son For Posting Graphic Video

Madonna has defended her son Rocco Ritchie after he posted a graphic video on Instagram.com which appeared to show the execution of children.

The 14 year old, whose father is Madonna's ex-husband Guy Ritchie, uploaded the disturbing footage to his account on Thursday and captioned the clip, 'I think if your (you are) still being a d**k to people, I would stop. We've got a little worse of a problem on are (our) hands here guys. We don't need more negative a**holes here.'

Ritchie received a slew of criticism for sharing the explicit video, but his superstar mother has now publicly backed her son by posting a picture of the word 'Imagine' to her own Instagram page with the caption, 'I applaud my son's desire to express his outrage by posting footage of Isis (Islamic militant group) on Instagram. Humans are becoming numb to this violent imagery. He is saying our problems are nothing compared to what's going on around the world. Freedom fighting is in his blood. Let's pray for Peace!'

From contactmusic.com

Madonna's 'Bedtime Stories' Turns 20

Twenty years ago this month, Madonna released her sixth studio album, Bedtime Stories, a classic that came out at a strange crossroads in her career.

While Madonna certainly didn't lack for fame in 1994, the button-pushing Erotica album had soured many critics and fans. For the first time in a decade of superstardom, people weren't shocked by her antics anymore - even worse, they often seemed exhausted by her.

Artistically speaking, she'd spent the last four years challenging and subverting America's sexual puritanism. But after releasing an entire book called Sex featuring nude pictures of herself and other celebrities, there didn't seem to be anywhere else to go in that realm.

It didn't help that she'd detonated 14 F-bombs on a March 1994 episode of The Late Show With David Letterman, an infamous appearance that racked up FCC complaints and distanced her from Middle America. Evita was two years away and the overt sexuality of Erotica was growing stale - so when Bedtime Stories hit, Madonna's career was at a strange point.

To that end, Bedtime Stories is lyrically and musically a much warmer album. She sacrifices some bawdy entendres (compare Erotica's 'Where Life Begins' to Bedtime's 'Inside of Me') and focuses on autobiographical matter.

Instead of Erotica's chilly, pounding dance pop, Bedtime puts Madonna in softer sonic territory. There's the singer-songwriter-y 'Secret,' the avant pop of 'Bedtime Story' (co-written by Bjork), the new jack swing jam 'I'd Rather Be Your Lover' (featuring Meshell Ndegeocello rapping), the Herbie Hancock-sampling ballad 'Sanctuary' and the lush, orchestral R&B of 'Take a Bow.'

But softer sounds didn't necessarily mean muted lyrics. 'Human Nature' finds Madonna taking on her critics more directly than ever with a logical, defiant attack on slut-shaming. And while album opener 'Survival' is a cozy R&B-pop song, it was similarly unrepentant in attitude.

The inviting R&B sound of Bedtime Stories is due in part to co-producer Dallas Austin, who longtime Madonna backup singer Donna de Lory describes as 'part of her tribe at that time.' Also on board were co-producers Nellee Hooper, Dave 'Jam' Hall (hot off Mary J. Blige's debut, What's the 411?) and, of course, Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds.

To read the rest of the article visit www.billboard.com/articles

Madonna's Instagram: Birthday fun!

Madonna posted another picture from her South of France birthday party on her Instagram page: 'Unapologetic Bitches have more fun!'