Facebook Forum Instagram News Tickets Tour Twitter

General News

Ben Stiller, Madonna and Chris Rock donate thousands to Christchurch appeal

Monday, 18 March 2019
Hollywood stars including Ben Stiller, Madonna and Chris Rock have joined a GoFundMe appeal to raise money for the victims of the terror attack in New Zealand.

Set up by U2 and Madonna’s manager Guy Oseary, the appeal has raised nearly all of its $100,000 target in two days.

Oseary himself pledged $18,000 (around £13,500) to the fund, while other Hollywood stars have been flocking to help those affected by the tragedy, with Madonna donating $10,000.

Other celebs getting involved include director directors Judd Apatow and Ava DuVernay, and Ashton Kutcher.

'I read the frightening details and could barely find the strength to watch a short clip of the disturbing footage. My heart breaks for the victims and for their families,' Oseary, who is also Amy Schumer’s manager, wrote in setting up the page.

'We will work with GoFundMe to ensure all funds are transferred to an organisation providing support to the families and community.'

50 people were killed after shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Friday, with 50 more people injured.

From Yahoo Movies UK

Posted at 04:00 AM in General News | | Comments (2)

| | |

Martini Shot 🍸 with Mert Alas

Friday, 15 March 2019

Posted at 04:00 AM in General News | | Comments (0)

| | |

Inside the photo-booth at 'The Party'

Monday, 25 February 2019
No social media was allowed at Madonna and Guy Oseary's annual post-Oscars party last night, instead a photos-booth was set-up by Time magazine who partnered up with artist and photographer JR. Even though there was no social media, these video clips from the photo-booth turned up online!

Posted at 06:00 PM in General News | | Comments (0)

| | |

Madonna and Lady Gaga at 'The Party'

Monday, 25 February 2019
What happens when two boundary-pushing pop queens of different generations come together in one photo? Twitter freaks out, naturally.

That's what happened on Monday morning when a photo from Guy Oseary and Madonna's annual Oscars after-party, 'The Party,' from Sunday night started to circulate on social media. The photo in question, taken by photographer JR, comes from the party's photo booth, which had a background made from crumpled white paper, and shows Madonna embracing Lady Gaga, who is holding her newly-won Academy Award.

Oscars

Because the party has a strict no social media rule, fans didn't even know that Gaga had attended Madonna's star-studded affair. The 'A Star Is Born' actress wore her second all-black look of the evening, with her hair in an Old Hollywood-style updo. Madonna opted for an off-white satin garment that she donned with a lavish gold-and-diamond headpiece and tons of other jewelry.

From AOL Via Yahoo! News

Posted at 04:00 PM in General News | | Comments (0)

| | |

Madonna hosts LA spin class ahead of annual Oscars bash

Wednesday, 20 February 2019
Madonna is gearing up for what will be a competitive night for Oscars afterparties this year.

Sources told Page Six that the Material Girl was spotted at spin mecca Cycle House in West Hollywood, Calif., this week. 'For the third year in a row, she had celebrity trainer and Cycle House partner Nichelle Hines do a special-edition class,' said a fit spy of the 'Like a Virgin' singer.

'The class was full - as she likes to work out in a full room and not get special treatment,' added the source. 'There were lots of hip-hop and dance tracks.'

We hear Madge wore a shirt that read 'Phenomenal Woman,' along with 'baggy sweats,' 'her hair in two braided pigtails' and 'a hat.'

'She had a blast, and was energized all ride.'

Madonna will throw her 12th annual A-list Oscars bash with manager Guy Oseary at his home after the awards Sunday.

But on the same night, Jay-Z and Beyoncé will host their second Gold Party, which we’re told will return to Chateau Marmont’s garage, with Eleven Madison Park’s Daniel Humm in charge of the menu. Adding to the jammed after-Oscars events calendar will be the venerable Vanity Fair party, plus fêtes by Fox, Netflix and Warner Bros.

From Page Six

Posted at 04:00 PM in General News | | Comments (0)

| | |

Madonna’s neighbors want her to cover their $140K legal tab

Tuesday, 12 February 2019
Madonna’s Manhattan neighbors are fed up with her 'endless litigation' against their apartment building - so they’re asking a judge to force her to cover their $140,000 legal tab.

'Plaintiff is a revered performing artist, and her reputation and success are no secret,' the residents of Harperley Hall on W. 64th St. say in a new Manhattan Supreme Court filing.

'But her unique ability to fund endless litigation, however meritless, prejudices the building’s innocent shareholders who are funding this litigation while also complying with the use provision that plaintiff seeks to invalidate for personal desires,' they gripe.

The Material Mom sued the co-op in 2016 over a rule that said her children and domestic help could not live in her $7.3 million pad unless she was 'in residence' at the time.

She argued she couldn’t possibly comply because she’s a 'world-renowned recording artist' who is 'constantly on world tours' and who 'owns many residences around the world.'

But a judge wasn’t impressed and tossed the suit in 2017.

Madonna has appealed the ruling.

Her neighbors now want her to compensate them for their lawyer’s fees noting that she has 'seemingly endless means to pursue litigation, however tenuous her claims may be.'

From Page Six

Posted at 04:00 AM in General News | | Comments (0)

| | |

Madonna Shares Photo of the Homemade Dress She Wore to Her High School Graduation

Thursday, 31 January 2019
Long before Madonna was named the Queen of Pop, excommunicated by the Catholic Church on three different occasions, and played sold-out world tours wearing next to nothing, she was just Madonna Louise Ciccone, a young girl growing up in a religious household in Michigan.

In those days, as seen in a throwback photo she shared on Instagram this week, Madonna wasn't allowed to wear anything remotely like the provocative outfits that quickly became a staple of her onstage presence; suffice it to say, there weren't any cone bras in her childhood bedroom's closet. In the photo, Madonna and her lookalike younger sister Paula smile at the camera on a grassy lawn on the day of Madonna's high school graduation, likely in 1976 or '77. They each wear brightly patterned, sleeveless maxidresses that, as she wrote in the caption, they'd made themselves using Butterick sewing patterns. 'I was always so embarrassed we could not afford store bought dresses. In retrospect Im [sic] glad i learned how to use a sewing machine,' she wrote, adding, 'Notice No cleavage or bare knees!! Papa Ciccone was very strict.'

They say all trends inevitably come back around - so there's definitely a chance we'll see Madge rocking knee-covering, cleavage-hiding homemade dresses on her next world tour. (Then again, probably not.)

Madonna, now 60, has previously spoken about that modest upbringing, which doesn't quite jive with the image of her writhing around onstage at the VMAs just a few years after that photo was taken. She once described her younger self to Vanity Fair as a 'lonely girl who was searching for something.' She continued, 'I wasn't rebellious in a certain way. I cared about being good at something. I didn't shave my underarms and I didn't wear makeup like normal girls do. But I studied and I got good grades...I wanted to be somebody.'

From W Magazine

Posted at 04:00 AM in General News | | Comments (0)

| | |

Madonna! Scarlett! Whoopi! Stars Flock to See Provocative Off-Broadway Show Slave Play

Wednesday, 16 January 2019
The provocative off-Broadway show, Slave Play, has earned an early celebrity following.

Madonna, Scarlett Johansson and Whoopi Goldberg were spotted attending a showing of the Jeremy O. Harris play last weekend in New York City.

The play, which focuses on sexual relationships between mixed-race couples during the era of slavery, has earned several accolades and a bevy of admirers which also include composer Stephen Sondheim and Angels in America playwright Tony Kushner.

On Monday, Harris, 29, used Twitter to shut down a report from Page Six that Madonna was lured to the show for its 'full-frontal male nudity.'

'There’s been a lot of fake news regarding slave play,' he wrote, before confirming he and the singer, who brought daughter Lourdes Leon, 'shook hands.'

The play, which aimed to spark conversations about race, history, gender and sexuality in America, was directed by Robert O’Hara and opened at New York Theatre Workshop December 9.

It was recommended for audiences aged 17 or older, due to nudity, sexual content, simulated sexual violence and racially violent language.

The show was ultimately extended an additional two weeks through January 13, 2019, and earned the Rosa Parks Playwriting Award, the Lorraine Hansberry Playwriting Award, The Lotos Foundation Prize in the Arts and Sciences and the 2018 Paula Vogel Award.

While his professional debut was dubbed 'an antebellum fever dream,' by The New York Times, Harris was particularly impressed by the celebrity turnout on Sunday.

'Scarjo, Sondheim, Madonna, and Whoopi. The freaks don’t just come out at night y’all. They come out for slave play,' the playwright, who is still finishing his third year at the Yale School of Drama, joked on Twitter after the final performance.

'I don’t want people to be able to walk away from a play about slavery and say, ‘Oh, well, that’s not about 2018,’' he told the NY Times. 'Being a black body in the world makes you feel kind of insane.'

From People.com

Posted at 04:00 AM in General News | | Comments (0)

| | |

It’s the falling down that makes you great!

Sunday, 13 January 2019
I remember this moment like it was yesterday.............💕🌸 i was just looking for my shoe and in the blink of an eye everything changed and thats how life is!! So you need to be ready. And you need to know what you want to do when you find that shoe. 👠! It’s the falling down that makes you great! #likeavirgin. 💍💍💍.

Posted at 04:00 AM in General News | | Comments (0)

| | |

Madonna breaks silence after bum implant speculation: 'Desperately seeking no ones approval'

Saturday, 05 January 2019
Madonna hit back at reports she has had bum implants with a straight-talking Instagram post about “not seeking approval” and “having agency over her body”.

Fans questioned whether the Queen of Pop has used cosmetic procedures to enhance her derriere after videos of her performing on New Year’s Eve emerged, showing off a plump posterior.

But, despite not confirming or denying the claims, Madonna clapped back at the reports with a smouldering selfie and a play on her 1985 film Desperately Seeking Susan. She posted: 'Desperately Seeking No Ones Approval.................And Entitled to Free Agency Over My Body Like Everyone Else!!'

'Thank you 2019! Its Going to Be an amazing Year!! #2019 #freedom #respect #nofear #nodiscrimination.'

Madonna, 60, sparked a frenzy when footage of her duet with 13-year-old son David Banda at a New York gay bar was posted on social media.

As the pair belted out hits including Like A Prayer and I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You, fans couldn’t help but notice Madonna was sporting a behind to rival Kim Kardashian’s.

Fans claimed her alleged butt implants were 'the saddest ending to 2018' while others accused her of looking 'ridiculous'.

In the past, Madonna has treated the world to glimpses of her behind having worn revealing dresses to the Grammy Awards in 2015 and the Met Gala in 2016.

The star even flashed fans in a cheeky Instagram video after a party at last year’s Met Gala.

From the Evening Standard

Posted at 04:00 AM in General News | | Comments (0)

| | |

Kicking off 2019 with Music and Prayer At Stonewall Inn

Thursday, 03 January 2019

Posted at 04:00 AM in General News | | Comments (0)

| | |

Madonna Delivers Rousing Speech At The Historic Stonewall Inn

Wednesday, 02 January 2019
Madonna spent her New Year’s Eve at New York’s historic Stonewall Inn, where she surprised those in attendance with a rousing speech, as well as a brief performance.

The singer was recently appointed an ambassador for Stonewall, in the lead-up to the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, a defining moment in the pride movement and fight for LGBT+ rights and equality.

Footage has since emerged from Tuesday night, showing Madonna addressing the crowd at the iconic venue, as 2018 drew to a close.

In her rousing speech, which she read from rainbow-print cue cards, she said: 'I stand here proudly at the place where pride began, the legendary Stonewall Inn, on the birth of a new year. We come together tonight to celebrate 50 years of revolution, 50 years of freedom fighting, 50 years of blood, sweat, and tears. Can I get an amen? 50 years of sacrifice, 50 years of standing up to discrimination, hatred and, worst of all, indifference. And it all started here, at Stonewall. Let us never forget the Stonewall riots and those who bravely stood up and said enough. Enough brutality. Enough violence inflicted on this community. Enough stigmatism. Enough pain and suffering.

4efecd5c1056e409cafaf263c037f009_ops=scalefit_630_noupscale

Following this, she also gave a brief performance of Elvis Presley’s ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ accompanied by her youngest son David, as well as her own hit ‘Like A Prayer’.

It’s set to be a busy year for Madonna, who is set to release her 14th studio album later in 2019. The upcoming release will be her first in four years, following 2015’s ‘Rebel Heart’.

From HuffPost UK

Posted at 04:00 PM in General News | | Comments (0)

| | |

Madonna appeals judge's decision in New York City co-op lawsuit

Saturday, 29 December 2018
Madonna is to appeal against a judge's decision to dismiss her objections to her apartment building's rules on having kids at her home.

The 'Material Girl' hitmaker sued officials at the Harperley Hall co-operative building in Manhattan back in 2016 objecting to a 2014 change in leasing rules. The new conditions of her lease prohibited her children and domestic employees from living in the luxury $7.3 million (£5.7 million) unit unless she was 'in residence'.

Madonna's suit was originally dismissed last year (17), as she had filed it too late after the rule change. She continued her legal fight by requesting documents detailing how her lease was changed.

Judge Gerald Lebovits denied her requests and in November he formally tossed her lawsuit. However, according to the New York Post the 60-year-old musician filed a notice of appeal with the Manhattan Supreme Court on Wednesday, December 26, asking for the decision to be reversed.

Madonna, who has six children, claimed the home was her primary residence and that her status as an international popstar made it impossible for her to stick to the new conditions.

'Such a requirement is ridiculous and impossible for almost any family to comply with, and certainly not someone with plaintiff's itinerant schedule,' legal documents filed as part of her original case state.

She stated that the Harperley Hall co-op knew of her superstar status before leasing her the apartment, and so had no right to change the conditions of her lease in a way that clashed with the demands of her profession.

Last August, Madonna moved to a palatial mansion Lisbon, Portugal, to allow David to join the youth academy at top European soccer team S.L. Benfica.

From Ace Showbiz

Posted at 04:00 AM in General News | | Comments (0)

| | |

Madonna Wants Peace on Earth for Christmas as She Celebrates with '4 of Her 6 Unicorns'

Thursday, 27 December 2018
Merry Christmas from the Queen of Pop and her 'unicorns'!

Madonna shared a photo of herself with four of her six children on Christmas Day during which they were all smiles as they sat on the couch together. The singer, 60, can be seen wearing a black fur hat for the occasion.

'Merry X-mas from Mambo and 4 of her 6 unicorns!' the mother of six captioned the photo. 'Sending Much Love 💜💜💜💜💜💜 and many prayers for peace on Earth!'

Posted at 04:00 PM in General News | | Comments (0)

| | |

Madonna signs with public relations vet Kelly Bush Novak

Monday, 24 December 2018
Madonna has a new public relations team. The singer has signed with Kelly Bush Novak of ID, whose clients include Serena Williams, Alfonso Cuarón, Ben Stiller, Pamela Adlon, Cynthia Erivo, Hannah Gadsby, Ellen Page, Janelle Monáe, and David Oyelowo, among many others.

Bush Novak founded ID in 1993 and the company, which has offices in New York and Los Angeles, is home to veteran Hollywood publicists Mara Buxbaum (Michelle Williams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Sean Penn), Bebe Lerner (Emily Blunt, John Krasinski) and Matt Labov (Seth Rogen, Bill Hader), among others. Its music division is headed by Allison Elbl (James Taylor, Steve Martin, Marshmello). Madonna is managed by Guy Oseary of Maverick.

Madonna had previously been represented by BB Gun Press, which was founded by veteran music publicist Brian Bumbery - he left for Apple to head up publicity for Apple Music in August, Variety reported. Prior to that, she had been represented for more than 20 years by Liz Rosenberg, who runs her own New York City-based shop with a roster that includes Cher and Michael Buble.

According to an insider, Madonna was looking at several top public relations firms in search of a company that could provide a 'team' of support. Indeed, in Bush Novak’s Instagram - her account is private - announcing the signing, she notes, 'As a life-long fan of this incredible artist, I’m proud to share I’m leading a passionate team at ID for Madonna.' She thanks Oseary, who also manages U2, 'for the opportunity.'

From Page Six

Posted at 04:00 PM in General News | | Comments (0)

| | |

You cannot stop Art by trying to Shame it

Friday, 21 December 2018
I am 19. Living in NYC 🗽. A student at Martha Graham School of Dance. ❌ I modeled For Art Schools around the city to pay the rent. Painting, Drawing and Photography classes. Many of these photos were sold to Playboy and Penthouse when I became famous. The Photographer’s. Exploited Me and then the Patriarchy tried to Shame me for Being Naked. I told the Press 'i Was Not Ashamed' and this became headline news. And this turned into A collaboration between Warhol and Haring! 🎉. I am the proud owner of 4 of these paintings. Given to me later. as a wedding gift. 🎁. You cannot stop Art by trying to Shame it. Creation always wins. 🌈 #lifeisacircle #art #dance #music #life #creation

Posted at 04:00 PM in General News | | Comments (0)

| | |

Madonna Remembers Penny Marshall: 'Your Talent Was as Big as Your Heart'

Wednesday, 19 December 2018
Madonna has paid tribute to Penny Marshall, the trailblazing filmmaker who directed the Queen of Pop in A League Of Their Own.

The pair bonded while shooting the popular 1992 baseball drama, for which Madonna wrote and performed the end credits song 'This Used to Be My Playground.' The song hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and garnered Madonna a Golden Globe nomination for best original song.

'Lucky to have known you and worked with you Penny Marshall,' Madonna writes in an Instagram post. 'Your Talent was as BIG as your Heart! And you were a Trailblazer for Women In Hollywood. GOD BLESS you and your family!'

The message is accompanied with a photo of the pair looking relaxed on set, with Madonna in full costume as her feisty character Mae Mordabito.

Aloto

Marshall, who starred with Cindy Williams in the ABC sitcom Laverne & Shirley, and went on to direct Big, A League Of Their Own and other films, died Tuesday (Dec. 18) from diabetes complications at age 75. She made history with Big, by becoming the first female to direct a movie that grossed over $100 million.

From Billboard.com

Posted at 04:00 PM in General News | | Comments (0)

| | |

Prince Charles' FURY at Madonna and Celine Dion: 'YOU'RE NOT ROYALTY'

Saturday, 15 December 2018
Some celebrities are related to kings or queens while others have distant cousins in the royal family. While Meghan Markle was preparing to become part of England’s royal family, she found out that she and Harry are cousins, as in very distant 17th cousins via King Edward III. Even talkshow host Ellen DeGeneres is related to Kate Middleton and Queen Elizabeth II.

According to the New England Genealogical Society, the funny lady and the Duchess of Cambridge are 15th cousins as they are each direct descendants of Edward III of England.

DeGeneres is also the 19th cousin, twice removed, of Queen Elizabeth II.

According to the website, Ancestry, US pop queen Madonna, Canadian singer Celine Dion and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, are all descended from the same French carpenter.

Records spanning more than 300 years from 1621 were published on the family and social history website Ancestry and revealed the unlikely link between the three women.

Camilla, the second wife of Prince Charles, Britain's heir to the throne - Madonna and Dion are all descended from French carpenter Zacharie Cloutier, according to the website.

'The fact that Camilla and Madonna are related, however distantly, highlights the truly unpredictable and entertaining nature of family history research,' said ancestry spokesperson Simon Harper.

However, Prince Charles has blasted this report in a bashful letter addressed to both Madonna and Celine Dion.

The explosive letter, published in 'The Prince Charles Letters' in 2011 informs to two pop queens that this information is 'so bally tenuous as to be barely worth mentioning'.

The Prince adds: 'Some might say I should ignore this sort of thing.'

However, Charles states in the letter that he is 'convinced that it’s all part of a ‘drip, drip, drip’ process that threatens to erode the monarchy'.

The letter, published on April 20, 2008, suggests that the website Ancestry are 'bent on mischief-making against the Royal Family'.

To end this, Charles drafted an open letter to the media detailing this this revelation is 'nonsense'.

Finally, Charles informed Madonna and Celine Dion that he would assume their approval of him 'scotching' the report should they choose not to reply to his letter.

In the letter he drafted for them to approve as words of their own, he included the line: 'We're not Royalty and we never will be.'

From express.co.uk

Posted at 04:00 PM in General News | | Comments (1)

| | |

Jade Jagger on why she designed a jewellery collection inspired by Madonna

Friday, 14 December 2018
Jewellery designer Jade Jagger has released a new collection called Madonna, dedicated entirely to the pop star. 'She is one of those girls that when you were young was an icon' Jagger told Insider. 'I love strong women and Madonna in my eyes is the epitome of strength and style.'

The Madonna collection also reflects Jagger's interest in the classical world, with shapes inspired by the Byzantine era featuring sapphires, diamonds, pearls, rubies and emeralds.

2c41221fc5b5e4fee24e747f226b3e57

Jagger was previously creative director at jewellers Garrard before launching her own-name brand, which has been worn by celebrities including Rita Ora and Cara Delevigne.

Jagger thinks the taste for handmade jewellery is stronger than it's ever been. 'Natural handmade products are always going to be at the front of my sense of luxury.'

All of Jagger's jewellery is crafted from precious metals and gemstones individually sourced from her long-standing suppliers in Jaipur, India.

Jagger was among the celebrities who recently hit Florida for Art Basel Miami Beach, where she hosted a L'Eden by Perrier-Jouët event at Faena Hotel.

From Evening Standard Via Yahoo! News

Posted at 04:00 PM in General News | | Comments (0)

| | |

Madonna commemorates World AIDS Day

Saturday, 01 December 2018

Posted at 04:00 PM in General News | | Comments (0)

| | |

Madonna feeling 'blessed' on Thanksgiving as she posts snap of all six children in Malawi

Thursday, 22 November 2018
Madonna has shared a rare snap of her six children together as they celebrate Thanksgiving in Malawi.

The Material Girl singer is mum to six children, Lourdes, 22, Rocco, 17, Mercy, 13, David, 12 and six-year-old twins Estere and Stella.

On Thursday, Madonna posted a picture of her brood as she declared how 'thankful' she was, and said nothing would ever equal 'what she treasures and values most'.

She wrote: 'What I am Most THANKFUL for! My Children have led me down roads and opened doors I never imagined I’d walk through. Fame, Fortune and Records Broken could never equal that which I treasure and value most. #blessed #grateful #family. Happy ThanksGiving from Malawi!'

Madonna adopted four of her children from Malawi, David in 2006, Mercy in 2009 and the twins most recently in 2017.

From Evening Standard

Posted at 04:00 PM in General News | | Comments (0)

| | |

Madonna gives us a new way to drink champagne and we are not worthy

Monday, 12 November 2018
Just when you think you know how to drink out of a glass, Madonna comes along and does it better than you. The Like A Virgin singer, and all round queen, took to Instagram to share her unique way of having a glass of champagne - with a spoon. Yes, seriously. The 60-year-old could be seen covered in jewellery, with her hair in braids over her shoulders, as she scooped champers out of a glass with a tablespoon.

Alongside the post, shared with her 12.4million followers, the 60-year-old wrote: ‘Soup du Jour....#midnightsnack.’ That is our type of midnight snack. And fans understandably went into meltdown over the mum-of-six’s post. ‘Madonna ain’t giving zero fucks,’ one commented. ‘Soup of the Day....A Glass of Rosé. Cheers my Queen,’ another replied. While a third said: ‘Why not? Midnight, midday snack….bring it on lol.’

From Metro.co.uk

Posted at 04:00 AM in General News | | Comments (0)

| | |

Everything We Learned from Ariana Grande’s Interview with the BBC: 'I Can Text Madonna!'

Friday, 02 November 2018
Arianators, pull up a chair. If you aren’t lucky enough to secure tickets to Ariana Grande’s recently announced Sweetener tour, then the BBC has the next best thing: a world-exclusive of Grande performing her new material.

Recorded in front of a studio audience on Sept. 7, the hour-long special sees Grande, 25, perform with her band, a choir and all-female orchestra while also talking to BBC host Davina McCall about her music, life and career.

She can text Madonna whenever she likes
'God is a Woman' is intended to empower girls and women, and Grande wanted to involve Madonna for paving the way. It proved to be the simplest of tasks. 'I texted her, which so cool. I can text Madonna!' says Grande excitedly. 'Within a couple of minutes she replied. She was like ‘Send me everything!'

To read the rest of the article visit: uk.news.yahoo.com

Posted at 04:00 AM in General News | | Comments (0)

| | |

Madonna pledges up to $100,000 for Detroit Prep charter school

Thursday, 01 November 2018
In 2014, Madonna made international headlines by turning her attention back to Detroit and the roots she once left behind as she headed off for fame.

Four years later, the Michigan-born pop superstar still seems committed to the cause: Madonna is announcing a $100,000 matching-grant challenge for the Detroit Prep charter school as it seeks to move into an abandoned public school building on the city's east side. The progressive elementary school is now housed in a church basement in Indian Village and is quickly outgrowing the space.

Madonna is asking fans and others to contribute to the campaign, and she'll match their collective donations up to $100,000 through her Ray of Light Foundation.

'Detroit has such a special place in my heart,' Madonna wrote in a statement. 'Kids in Detroit deserve access to great schools and I am happy to do my part to give them one!'

Detroit Prep, founded in 2016, is a sister school of Detroit Achievement Academy (DAA), one of the organizations Madonna visited and chose to financially support during a philanthropic tour of the city in summer 2014. At the time, Madonna funded art supplies for the charter school, while also contributing to the Empowerment Plan and Downtown Youth Boxing Gym.

She has continued to back DAA, including funding for that school's permanent site on West Outer Drive. She also gave teachers 50 front-row tickets to her Joe Louis Arena show in 2015.

Detroit Prep serves students from kindergarten to third grade, with plans to expand to eighth grade. Like DAA, the school follows the Expeditionary Learning model, which emphasizes principles such as self-discovery, collaboration and diversity.

Detroit Prep, co-founded by DAA's Kyle Smitley, purchased the abandoned Joyce Elementary School this summer. It has launched a $2 million capital campaign to rehabilitate the three-story, 44,000-square-foot facility, which has sat unused for about a decade.

'The idea of transforming an old, abandoned building in Detroit and making it the home of an excellent school is so exciting,' Madonna said. 'Detroit is a community that comes together, especially for our young people.'

During her 2014 trip to DAA, Madonna chatted with students about books and danced with kindergartners, who later described her as 'Michael Jackson's friend' after seeing a picture of the stars together.

'It was one of the most memorable tours I've ever given, and that had little to do with the fact that it was Madonna,' said Smitley. 'She was just extraordinary and kind and fun with our students in a way we don't often see.'

Smitley said she was particularly impressed by Madonna's continued interest in the school, including the donated concert tickets more than a year later.

'She could have easily given the money then forgotten we existed,' Smitley said. 'It showed how generous she is. She's excited when she sees people who work hard to improve the city.'

Raised in Rochester Hills, Madonna dropped out of the University of Michigan in 1978 and headed to New York as an aspiring professional dancer. Within seven years she was one of the globe's biggest pop stars.

Her daughter, Lourdes Leon, enrolled at U-M's theater school in 2014.

'Many people doubt that Detroit can come back and think that the challenges are too overwhelming to overcome,' Madonna said in a statement to the Free Press after her 2014 visit. 'But what I witnessed is the true story of Detroit - a city of innovation, commitment, perseverance, imagination and opportunity.'

Detroit Prep's fund-raising campaign includes financial partners IFF, Capital Impact Partners and Chase. Detroit architectural firm Gensler and Oak Park contractor PCI One Source are overseeing the building renovation.

From Brian McCollum / Detroit Free Press

Posted at 04:00 AM in General News | | Comments (2)

| | |

Next