Singapore thank you for having us! The show was 💯❌💯 ❤️ #rebelhearttour continues to New Zealand 🎉🎉🍌🍾🍾⌛️🔥🔥💃🏻🎉🎉🎉🍌🍌👑😂🦄 pic.twitter.com/nIAXd3e0rW
— Madonna (@Madonna) 28 February 2016
Dreaming about Down Under💘💘💘👑❤️ #rebelhearttour pic.twitter.com/eeJwv42RG9
— Madonna (@Madonna) 29 February 2016
Photos from one of her two concerts last week published in local media showed the 57-year-old American mega-star draped in the Philippine flag.
While press reports said the audience roared its approval at the music icon, who was in the country as part of her global 'Rebel Heart' tour, Filipino authorities were less amused.
'Our flag law is strict as we want to instill respect for the Philippine flag,' presidential spokesman Herminio Coloma said in a statement.
'This should he made clear to organisers and performers in concerts so that there will be no repetition of the incident.'
Coloma said in an earlier statement to AFP that the government was 'keen' on banning the Queen of Pop from performing in the Philippines because of the controversy.
However Coloma later said the government did not want to ban her, and that the initial statement that it did was based on a wrong interpretation of comments by another presidential aide.
A 1998 law prescribes a one-year jail term, as well as a token fine, for wearing the Philippine flag 'in whole or in part as a costume or uniform'.
The flag flap was the second controversy provoked by Madonna's visit to the devoutly Catholic Asian nation.
A Catholic bishop last week called on the faithful to stay away from Madonna's sexually charged concerts, which often encompass religious themes, calling them the devil's work.
'Pinoys (Filipinos) and all God-loving people should avoid sin and occasions of sin,' Archbishop Ramon Arguelles said in a statement posted on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines' official website.
Arguelles said the concerts, Madonna's first in the Philippines, were among 'subtle attacks of the evil one'.
During her Manila shows Madonna gyrated around a stripper pole shaped like a crucifix, accompanied by dancers dressed as scantily clad nuns.
The controversial star did not forget the less fortunate on her Philippine trip, however, tweeting photos showing her visiting children at a Manila orphanage run by nuns.
The star, now touring in Singapore, has yet to comment publicly on the flag furore.
Officials of Music Management International, which produced Madonna's Manila concert, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
From AFP Via Yahoo! News
'Once I had a Filipino trainer - this beautiful, beautiful girl,' she said. 'She was gorgeous and very talented as a trainer. But she f***ed my boyfriend, so I fired her.'
However, no one can stay anonymous forever when fame is involved, and sleuths quickly zeroed in on Nicole Winhoffer, a trainer who worked for Madonna for five years before they parted ways in 2014.
Winhoffer describes herself on her own website as 'born in NYC to a Filipino mother and German father'. She also took on the role of creative director for her former boss' Hard Candy Fitness chain of gyms.
Internet gossip site Page Six says that an anonymous source confirmed Winhoffer was the guilty party, adding that 'Nicole has been teaching her own method in NYC and acts as if she left Madonna on her own to be an entrepreneur'.
Madonna dated two men while she and Winhoffer worked together - Timor Steffens and Brahim Zaibat, both of whom were backing dancers. Madonna split from Steffens, 28, during a holiday to Europe in 2014.
'In this case, it was not a happy ending,' said Madonna while on stage. 'I know I sound like I'm cynical and I don't believe in romance and that I think everybody is backstabbing.'
From International Business Times
Queen for a day in Manilla 👑!!!! We had so much fun!!!🙏🏻Thank you ❤️ #rebelhearttour pic.twitter.com/yAGPZRS3A8
— Madonna (@Madonna) 24 February 2016
Pictures on her Instagram account showed her carrying a baby in one arm while holding hands with a girl guiding her on a tour of the Hospicio de San Jose orphanage on Tuesday. At the Bahay Tuluyan shelter for street kids, she sat on a tarpaulin mat with children.
'Chillin' with my Homies at the Bahay Tuluyan Foundation Inc. giving shelter to orphans street children trafficking/abuse victims in Manila!!' Madonna captioned a selfie taken with three kids as they lay on the mat.
Officials at the shelter were told Monday that Madonna's dancers were going to visit, but they did not find out that Madonna herself was also coming until an hour before her arrival, said Catherine Scerri, the deputy executive director of Bahay Tuluyan.
She said the children did a couple of dances before being joined by Madonna's dancers. Madonna asked the officials about the center's program and whether the children attended school, but she spent most of her 45-minute visit with the kids, Scerri added.
Anne dela Cruz, an official with the Hospicio de San Jose orphanage, also said Madonna's visit was a surprise, but declined to give further details.
Madonna's staff asked both facilities not to take photos of the visits, officials at the centers said.
Madonna plays Manila's Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday and Thursday, the latest stops on her 'Rebel Heart' world tour.
From AP Via Yahoo! News
Last night the pop superstar posted a photo of son Rocco, the subject of a custody battle between herself and ex-husband Guy Ritchie.
Madonna posted: 'I miss this boy so full of life so full of love.'
Rocco, 15, left his mother’s Rebel Heart world tour last year to stay with his father in London.
However while most comments on Madonna’s Instagram page were positive, a user called ColetteKlein wrote 'Maybe the kid wants a mom not a queen.'
Unexpectedly, Madonna directly answered back to the account noting 'Well coletteklein he got both. Lucky him.'
After Madonna weighing in on the debate generated more comments about her mothering skills the singer added more posts - 'none of you know what you’re talking about' and 'these are my expressions of love' and 'if you dont have anything nice to say get iff (sic) my page.'
A sheepish ColetteKlein quickly went from keyboard warrior to keyboard worrier and apologised to Madonna.
'I would not in my lifetime want to go through what you’re going through now,' she wrote.
'Especially having an 18 year old son myself. Totally guilty of listening to the media and drawing my own unfounded conclusion....I hope you and Rocco work it out. Which I believe you will because there’s no stronger love than a mother and a son..
ColetteKlein’s account is now private. She has 118 followers and her bio says she loves Roger Federer.
Madonna is on the way to Manila and Singapore with her Rebel Heart tour.
From The Advertiser
'Everyone needs a tickle!! Even at the Hospicio de San Jose in Manilla! 💘. We are so blessed🙏 ❤ #rebelhearttour'
'Celeste gives me the guided tour of Hospicio de San Jose. Run by nun's with love 💘!'
'Chillin with my Homies at the Bahay Tuluyan Foundation. Inc. giving shelter to Orphans street children trafficking/abuse victims in Manilla‼ ❤ #rebelhearttour'
'Hats off to the Bahay Tulyan Foundation in Manilla for taking so many kids off the street and providing food and shelter! ❤ #rebelhearttour'
The singer arrived in Manila at 2 a.m. on Monday on board a chartered flight from Hong Kong. Airport personnel who waited for her were ordered to stow their cell phones because no one was allowed to take photos.
Madonna reportedly did not pass through normal airport procedures because immigration officials stamped her passport inside the plane. The pop star was immediately whisked to a waiting car and escorted out of the airport by a fleet of foreign and local security.
Madonna’s Asian tour began in Taipei, Taiwan, where she closed her concert by wrapping herself with the nation’s flag.
While this should not come as a surprise, the singer is known for flashing and even incorporating flags in her outfits in her final acts, the move still angered the Chinese people.
According to Taipei Times, the move was perceived as Madonna’s stance to support Taiwan, which China perceives as a renegade province, therefore sparking an online 'word war' between the Taiwanese and the Chinese.
Nevertheless, the American pop superstar still managed to deliver stunning performances for her Taiwanese fans.
Madonna also held back-to-back concerts in Hong Kong and Macau.
In Hong Kong where she performed for the first time, her fans were given a taste of what makes Madonna the Queen of Pop–racy and rebellious with her musical genius rising above grandiose props and costumes.
In both concerts, Madonna closed the show with her symbolic encore wrapping herself with Macau’s flag, and donning a bauhinia jacket. The bauhinia flower is Hong Kong’s emblem.
To be sure, authorities will be closely watching if Madonna will don the Philippine flag as a costume or uniform. Her two-night concert will be held on Wednesday and Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Republic Act 8491, or the 'Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines,' explicitly prohibits the wearing of the flag 'in whole or in part as a costume or uniform.'
If her international producers did their research, they may even encourage the rebellious pop icon to highlight the 30th anniversary of the EDSA Revolution on February 25, the second night of her show.
Local promoters have not released any statement regarding the removal of the song 'Holy Water' from Madonna’s set list.
With lyrics bearing heavy sexual content, the song was banned in Singapore way ahead her concert, which was also rated R-18. The Philippines had had issues with religiously charged foreign performers in the past. American pop singer Lady Gaga, for example, was 'welcomed' by Christian protesters in her 2012 debut concert in Manila.
From The Manila Times Online
Towards the end of her performance, she again pulled up a member of the audience to dance with her on stage. But this time, the chosen one was not just some lucky fan, but Hong Kong pop star Eason Chan.
The pair not only showed off their dance moves together, but at one point during the routine the Cantopop singer even bent over to allow Madonna to hit and kick his buttocks playfully.
After the song had ended, she then raised his hand before asking: 'What is your name, young man?', obviously unaware that Chan is well-known in Asia as the 'King of Cantopop'.
'My name is Eason,' came his reply. He then further explained: 'Season, without the S.'
The interaction prompted loud cheers from the crowd.
Like her other performances, she also presented Chan with a banana as a 'prize', before asking him to 'lick it up'. At that point, Chan wore a slightly awkward expression, before telling Madonna that his daughter was also in attendance.
According to Sina Entertainment, Chan said that he was very happy to have had the opportunity to share the stage with the 57-year-old 'Queen of Pop'. 'Of course I feel very excited. It is Madonna!' he told reporters when asked about the episode after the event.
From news.asiaone.com
Thanks to Edmond
It’s just a little more than a week before Madonna, the Queen of Pop, takes to the stage in Singapore for the very first time.
In a way, this upcoming show is also a first in that it has been specifically tailored for Singapore. This was due in part to certain restrictions placed by the Media Development Authority here which has rated the show R18 and asked for the song Holy Water, to be dropped from the set list.
'Madonna agreed to change her show for Singapore, so in a way, this is a unique show, because it’s not the same as the rest on her current tour,' said James Lee, the CEO of King Lun, one of the investors for the concert here.
Does this matter to fans? Well, Singapore isn’t the first country to an edited verison of the Rebel Heart tour. When the pop goddess ran out of stadium time, the lively Gypsy medley - comprising Dress You Up/Into The Groove/Everybody/Lucky Star - was dropped in many cities including Amsterdam, Glasgow and even as recently as the concert in Bangkok. Nevertheless, the most successful female artiste of all-time will still have a lot in her boombox to entertain us with. For instance, she has been singing 1994’s Take A Bow on tour for the first time (only in Asia mind you).
For this writer, who has seen Madonna performing in four continents over the last 20 years or so, this is why one should catch her show here. Because, no two Madonna shows are ever the same.
Of course, my reaction the first time I saw Madonna was very different. 'This woman cannot make it' was what I said after watching her 1983 music video for Lucky Star. You know, the one with her writhing all over the floor? But a couple of years later, the Material Girl got me into her groove with one dance-pop hit after another, and the occasional emotional ballad. Her enticing music videos were big draws too (controversial ones notwithstanding).
After seeing a clip of Ms Ciccone dancing with gusto on a conveyer belt in 1987’s Who’s That Girl Tour, I cherished the hope of watching her live in concert. That wish eventually came true when I managed to catch her Girlie Show tour in 1993. (It also began my lifelong quest to catch the Queen of Pop on tour in a city I had yet to visit.)
To read the rest of the article visit: www.todayonline.com
I was the Bride married to amazement! 💐thank you Hong Kong🎉🍾🎉🍾🎉🍾🎉. ❤️ #rebelhearttour pic.twitter.com/aHacH3vhZe
— Madonna (@Madonna) February 18, 2016
Finally got to meet Bruce Lee, such an exciting moment for me!!! He was an excellent UB!! ❤️#rebelhearttour pic.twitter.com/cnz3yLhVnf
— Madonna (@Madonna) February 18, 2016
'Off to a great start with mdnaskin products with my partners Mr. Matushita and Mr. Nakajima. #wehavemanydreams #mdnaskin #mtg'
'And then we relax@after a hard days werk!! Thank goodness for mdnaskin Thank goodness for all of it!'
The seven dancers she chose from open auditions in LA and New York accompanied Madonna during her 1990 Blond Ambition world tour, celebrated in the Truth Or Dare (aka In Bed with Madonna) documentary. They were all in their early twenties. Six were gay. They became celebrities in their own right as they travelled the world with the biggest pop star of the era. The dancers were wildly flamboyant. Most were classically trained.
'They are still very intriguing characters, all of them,' says Reijer Zwaan, whose new documentary about them, Strike a Pose (co-directed with Ester Gould) screens at the Berlin festival. Five of the dancers will be in Berlin for the world premiere. 'To this day, they are great, inspiring and bold characters. These guys, when they were 20, were having the time of their lives. They were travelling the world. They were well known. They were performing in front of 50,000 people.' The dancers and the singers became a very close-knit group. Madonna talked about 'feeling like a mother' toward them.
As a kid growing up in the Netherlands in the early 1990s, Zwaan, now a respected current affairs journalist with Dutch public TV, had been obsessed by Madonna and the dancers. He first saw Truth Or Dare when he was 11 years old.
'At the time, I was just fascinated by the tour, by the concert footage but also by the backstage material - the larger-than-life reality that they were all in. I saw it (the film) many times afterwards for the simple reason that my stepmother had bought the VHS.' What, Zwaan wondered, had happened to all the dancers in the intervening years? He decided to find out.
To read the rest of the article visit: www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music
'I'm that Girl. Looking at the world through Rose colored glasses.🌹 la Vie En Rose. ❤ #rebelhearttour Thank you Tokyo💋'
Days of innocence. In Malawi. How I miss this time. 😔💘🙏🏻. ❤️ #rebelhearts pic.twitter.com/O0XINBNlzO
— Madonna (@Madonna) February 11, 2016
I have refrained until now from commenting on the matter of Madonna and her 15-year-old son, Rocco, who has recently declined to return to the United States and live with his mother, preferring the more lackadaisical lifestyle of his father, director Guy Ritchie. (Madonna married Ritchie in 2000. They divorced in 2008 and he - already a wealthy man - took the pop icon for about $75 million bucks.)
I have no inside information, other than the fact that Madonna is crushed by this turn of events. I know her quite well. I have seen her with all four of her children. I have heard her speak privately about them in the most glowing - and intelligent - terms. She is a stickler for education, self-discipline and motivation.
Despite the professional image and stage persona she often embodies, Madonna is a very good mother, and not, appearances to the contrary, a hedonist or self-destructive. No drugs, no drinking, no dissipation. The male company she has kept since her divorce from Ritchie are separate from her role as a mother. She is not given to wild or inappropriate behavior in front of her children, or anyone else, for that matter.
(I, along with others, might roll my eyes at some of the things she wears, or how she presents herself in photo shoots or on Instagram. But that’s not her daily life. She marches to her own drummer and refuses to be categorized or held back by what others think is 'suitable' for a woman of 57. She enjoys making us crazy.)
I am fairly certain that continuing with her current 'Rebel Heart' tour has been agonizing, but it would be out of character for Madonna to cave, give in, give up. And what would it gain her? Bad press, enraged fans, and her son would still be in England.
This unhappy situation will likely sort itself out, but that the situation exists doesn’t surprise me. I wondered what was going on in Guy Ritchie’s head when he put Madonna in a film short as a movie star abused by her driver, and then starred her in 'Swept Away,' as a wealthy woman abused by one of her servants.
Madonna entered her marriage to Ritchie fully committed. To such an extent that photos of the wedding were never made public. Her nuptials were not grist for the PR mill. Madonna’s two 'I do’s' - to Sean and then to Ritchie were absolutely sincere. That Catholic girl from Michigan always lurks beneath the 'outrageous' star.
I don’t think Madonna regrets her marriage to Penn. They have remained friends. I believe she regrets most of her marriage to Ritchie, except for their son, Rocco.
Good luck with all this, honey. You are a good girl.
'Pre show Game face!!! Getting ready for Bangkok!! ❤ #rebelhearttour'
'A Very special night in Bangkok! Will you Marry Me💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐❤ #rebelhearttour'
Thailand we are here! ❤️ #rebelhearttour Are you with us?👑 pic.twitter.com/9p2eVfz4Ej
— Madonna (@Madonna) February 8, 2016
Lost in a dream on. Stage in Taipei💙💙 ! All the world loves a clown. Take A Bow! ❤️ #rebelhearttour pic.twitter.com/C8mz2E8iNS
— Madonna (@Madonna) February 6, 2016
Queen Of Pop: LIVING FOR LOVE will evoke the magic and positive message of Madonna’s music in a unique larger-than-life Valentine’s Day video tribute to the Queen Of Pop, celebrating Rebel Hearts all over the world.
The video production and Live Performance event will feature a huge cast of dancing performers, fierce fans of ALL ages and lots of surprises that will leave the audience literally LIVING for LOVE!
The performance and video will be set to an exclusive mix of Madonna songs focusing on her musical journey including Material Girl, Express Yourself, Hung Up, Vogue, Like A Prayer and Living for Love.
Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras and Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority have commissioned our creative team for the third year in a row to create this unique tribute, which will include both a show-stopping live event and a video clip, which will be released on the Mardi Gras official Facebook Channel as a message of Love to our Queen Of Pop ahead of her arrival in Australia with the Rebel Heart tour later in March.
We are looking for volunteer dancers who love to Express themselves! We are shooting on Valentine’s Day between mid-day and 5pm.
Let’s make this a huge celebration and send a message of Love from the heart to the Queen of Pop so fabulous that she can’t resist to reply to!
The link for people to join is here: http://MadonnaVideo.eventbrite.com
REHEARSAL - Arq Nightclub, 16 Flinders St, Darlinghurst Saturday Feb 13, 3-00pm-5-00pm
VIDEO SHOOT DATE - Darling Harbour near the IMAX theatre, Sydney Sunday Feb 14, 12-00pm-5-00pm
Appearing on ‘The Graham Norton Show’ Elton discussed how the two ended their bad blood, after a chance meeting in a restaurant in 2012. 'I said something horrible about her that you should never say,' John revealed.
'I was in a restaurant in the south of France a couple of years ago and she walked in so I sent her a note saying, 'You'll probably never speak to me again but I am really sorry and ashamed of myself and can I buy you dinner’.'
'We are fine - it was just me and my big mouth. I can't say it won't happen again, but not with Madonna,' the 68-year-old added. The feud between the pair gained steam in 2004, when Elton accepted the Q award for classic songwriter and accused Madonna of lip-syncing.
'Madonna, best live act? F*** off,' John said. 'Since when has lip-syncing been live? Sorry about that, but I think everyone who lip-syncs on stage in public when you pay like 75 quid to see them should be shot. Thank you very much. That’s me off her Christmas card list, but do I give a toss? No.'
Then in 2012 Elton’s husband David Furnish got involved when Madonna won the Golden Globe for best original song in 2012, beating Elton. 'Madonna winning Best Original Song truly shows how these awards have nothing to do with merit. Her acceptance speech was embarrassing in its narcissism,' Furnish wrote.
In 2012 Elton took a further swipe at Madonna, in defence of his good friend Lady Gaga. '[Madonna is] such a nightmare,' Elton said. 'Sorry, her career is over. Her tour has been a disaster and it couldn’t happen to a bigger c***. ‘She looks like a f***ing fairground stripper. She’s been so horrible to Gaga.'
From contactmusic.com
After performing the song Madonna remarked, 'That was fun! First time ever. Hit a few bad notes, but it felt good to sing it.'
Taiwan's Apple Daily and Liberty Times newspapers ran photos of Madonna with the flag over her shoulders as she sang an encore Thursday on the Taipei leg of her global Rebel Heart Tour.
The move was greeted enthusiastically by many on Taiwanese Internet forums, who saw it as a boost to their quest to protect the island's sovereignty in the face of increased influence from Beijing.
'Madonna supports Taiwan with her acts. Taiwan loves Madonna too,' read one message on Apple Daily's website.
But posts on China's Twitter-like Weibo responded angrily.
'Is Taiwan a country? I am laughing to death....you are just a region,' said one.
'Madonna draped the flag and you think you are going to be recognised by the UN? So funny,' said another, referring to Taiwan's lack of international status.
Taiwan has been self-ruling since splitting from China in 1949 following a civil war, but Beijing still views it as part of its territory awaiting reunification.
As Beijing's influence has grown globally, Taiwan has haemorrhaged allies, losing its place at the UN to Beijing and is now only recognised by 22 countries.
China supporters also voiced their anger on Madonna's Instagram account, responding to a picture which showed her face superimposed on a blue sun motif similar to the white sun on Taiwan's flag, attracting 2,000 messages.
'Shut up, people of Taiwan province of China,' one message read.
'Madonna was just creating a talking point and some Taiwanese people thought she was speaking up for Taiwan independence? So funny,' said another.
Others hit back at the critical Instagram posts.
'Someone holds the flag and you are barking like a dog. So low class. If you like China so much, go back to use your weibo,' one comment read.
The Asian leg of the Rebel Heart Tour includes dates in Hong Kong and Macau, but not mainland China.
There was no immediate comment from local promoters or Madonna's representatives following Thursday's concert.
Last year, US singer-songwriter Katy Perry caused a stir in both Taiwan and China when she appeared on stage in Taipei draped in a Taiwan flag, while donning a gold dress adorned with sunflowers - a symbol of anti-China student protests in Taiwan in 2014.
Several Taiwanese entertainers have also got into trouble for waving the Taiwan flag abroad.
Last month, K-pop singer Chou Tzu-yu, 16, was forced to apologise for waving the flag in an Internet broadcast, which stoked online anger in China and accusations that she was a pro-independence advocate.
Her video apology went viral on the day of Taiwan's presidential and legislative elections in January and some analysts believed may have cost the ruling Beijing-friendly Kuomintang (KMT) party hundreds of thousands of votes.
The traditionally pro-independence main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won by a landslide, with the KMT's rapprochement with Beijing a major factor in its defeat.
Taiwan has ruled itself since a split with the Chinese mainland in 1949, but has never formally declared independence, and Beijing sees it as part of its territory awaiting reunification.
From AFP Via Yahoo! News
Take a Bow Tai-Pei 🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🐿. ❤️ #rebelhearttour pic.twitter.com/Y02kAshM2d
— Madonna (@Madonna) February 4, 2016
We are coming to get you TAI-PEI!! ❤️#💘💘💘🎉👍🏻rebelheartfans ❤️ #rebelhearttour pic.twitter.com/5yoz1nBRCy
— Madonna (@Madonna) February 2, 2016
'MADONNA CONFESSIONS 10' is a luxurious coffee-table book inserted in a deluxe boxset. It contains over 100 photos illustrating the whole 'Confessions' era: Album photoshoot / Promo tour (TV interviews, club performances, Coachella Festival) / The videos / The Confessions Tour / Information and anecdotes....
The large size of the book makes it a unique and must have collector item for any fan of the Queen of Pop! LIMITED EDITION TO 1000 COPIES
Technical specifications:
Large size: 60 x 30 cm (open) / Inserted in a box set / Individually wrapped / Hardback covers with metalized printing and glossy effects / Satin paper / Finishing: sewn and hard heat-sealed binding / Weight: +2 kilos
For more information and to buy visit: http://confessions10.com/