| 2018-11-07 | Ariana Grande Is Billboard's 2018 Woman of the Year | The singer will be honored at the Billboard Women in Music dinner and awards gala in New York on Dec. 6.
After an incredibly successful year and on the heels of her Billboard 200 chart-topping fourth album Sweetener, Ariana Grande has been named Billboard’s 2018 Woman of the Year.
The superstar singer, songwriter, actress and activist will be presented with the award Dec. 6 at the 13th annual Women in Music dinner and awards gala in New York. Grande joins a history of icons who have been previously honored as Woman of the Year, including Selena Gomez, Madonna, Lady GaGa and Taylor Swift.
“Ariana Grande is a star on her own terms, never bending to any particular musical trend or path in the industry,” says Ross Scarano, Billboard’s vp of content. “Certain in her convictions, she consistently stands up for herself and her decisions in a world that often isn’t hospitable to that sort of strength in young women. She’s got guts, she’s making some of the best music of her career, and she’s absolutely deserving of Woman of the Year.”
Over the course of her career, Grande has claimed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 albums chart three times. Her latest chart-topper was August's Sweetener, home to the hits "No Tears Left to Cry" and "God Is a Woman" and scoring the largest streaming week ever for a pop album by a female artist upon its release.
Beyond music, Grande uses her platform and strength to support causes she believes in. She took part in March for Our Lives earlier this year in support of smarter gun control laws and is constantly advocating for mental health awareness, gender equality, LGBTQ rights and Black Lives Matter on her social media accounts. Following the tragic Manchester Arena bombing outside her concert last year, the songstress helped organize the One Love Manchester benefit concert, which raised more than $23 million to aid victims and their families.
The Women in Music event and red-carpet pre-show will broadcast live on Dec. 6 via Twitter from 7:00 to 10 p.m. ET. Sponsors include American Airlines, Honda Stage and Nielsen Music.
Source: BillBoard |
| 2016-11-09 | Madonna Gives Surprise Performance in New York's Washington Square Park in Support of Hillary Clinton | Madonna gave New Yorkers the surprise of a lifetime when she serenaded the crowd at Washington Square Park on Monday night (Nov. 7) with a special acoustic performance in support of Hillary Clinton.
She stood in the center of Washington Square Fountain surrounded by a group comprised mostly of NYU students who cheered as she performed covers of John Lennon’s “Imagine” and Peter, Paul and Mary’s “If I Had A Hammer,” as well as her own songs “Rebel Heart” and “Like A Prayer.”
She amped up the crowd and encouraged everyone to get to the polls Tuesday (Nov. 8) to vote, saying, “Vote with your heart, vote with your mind, vote with your spirit, vote with your soul. Save this country, please.”
Madge has been supporting Clinton throughout the campaign, from talking about the election while opening for Amy Schumer to stripping down with Katy Perry for the cause.
Watch a snippet of the surprise performance
Source: BillBoard |
| 2016-08-01 | Prince's Family Announce Date for Official Tribute Concert | Prince's family says an official tribute concert honoring the late icon will take place in October in the singer's hometown of Minneapolis.
In a statement to The Associated Press on Thursday, Prince's family said the concert will be held on Oct. 13 at the U.S. Bank Stadium. Performers will soon be announced on a rolling basis. Tickets will go on sale next month.
Prince died April 21 of a drug overdose. The Purple One's brothers and sisters said in a joint statement that they "have been moved by the tremendous love and support of Prince's friends and fans around the world."
"We are excited for the opportunity to bring everyone together for the official family celebration of Prince's life, music and legacy, and there is no better place to do it than his hometown of Minneapolis," the statement read. "We are honored by the artists who will pay tribute and grateful to those that have worked so hard to make this celebration possible."
Since Prince's death, countless performers have paid tribute to the entertainer. Beyonce and the Dixie Chicks have covered his songs during their live shows, and Madonna sang "Nothing Compares 2 U" and "Purple Rain" — with the help of Stevie Wonder — at the Billboard Music Awards in May.
BET dedicated much of its awards show last month to Prince with performances from Sheila E., The Roots, Erykah Badu, Janelle Monae, Maxwell, Bilal, Tori Kelly, Wonder and Prince's ex-wife, Mayte Garcia.
Source: BillBoard |
| 2013-05-24 | Billboard Awards: Miguel Kicks Fans With Leap | American pop artist Miguel accidentally kicked two women in the head when he tried to jump over a "catwalk" at the Billboard Awards.
He was singing his hit "Adorn" when he attempted to leap over the audience to another part of the stage.
But he misjudged the jump and landed short on top of two fans watching his act at the show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Both women appeared to be dazed by the mishap and held their heads as they walked away.
Referring to the accident on Twitter, Miguel later posted a message saying he got "caught up in the moment".
The women were reported to be OK and one was later spotted backstage with Miguel, holding an ice pack.
Justin Bieber, who performed twice and won three awards, including top male artist and social artist, was booed when he collected the fan-voted milestone award.
But he hit back, saying: "I'm 19 years old. I think I'm doing a pretty good job.
"And basically from my heart I really just want to say it should really be about the music, it should be about the craft that I'm making.
"This is not a gimmick. I'm an artist and I should be taken seriously and all this other b******* should not be spoken."
But the evening belonged to singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, who won eight awards, including top artist and top Billboard 200 album for Red.
She told the crowd: "You are the longest and best relationship I ever had."
The singer delighted the audience with a performance of her hit 22, which she started backstage before working her way to the main stage on the back of a bike accompanied by background dancers and a flurry of red balloons.
Honours also went to lass=vlin href=/vcat.phtml?action=va&singer=79>Madonna, who took three awards, including top touring artist for her MDNA tour, and Prince, who closed the show after taking the icon award in recognition of his career.
Source: Ananova |
| 2011-05-06 | Producer defends Gaga over copycat claims | A producer who worked on Lady GaGa's "Born This Way" track has slammed suggestions the track is a rip-off of Madonna's "Express Yourself", insisting most modern songs sound familiar.
"The Poker Face" sensation came under fire following the release of the lead track of her second album earlier this year after critics and fans pointed out the song's tune is almost identical to that of the "Material Girl's" classic.
However, DJ White Shadow, who helped produce the track, is convinced many songs currently in the charts sound like old tunes - and insists it is the kooky pop star who is the real victim of copycats.
He says, "I think it was bulls**t to be honest. I guess there are a hundred songs that you could put a pitch shift and a BPM (beats per minute) change on and loop and make them sound like anything. Actually there are five songs out that are exactly the same song, on the radio at the same time. Right now. Why doesn't anyone ever bring that up? That's a felony.
"How many people have been copying Gaga since she came out? Oh, I have that answer: everyone. Have you seen all the lightning bolts painted on faces, or the one hand eye cover-ups during photos?
"How about the fact that there was barely any dance music on the radio until Just Dance came out? Come on ***kers, let's keep it real here. If we are going to talk about who is chasing who, I think we all know the answer to that."
Gaga herself has vehemently denied she plagiarised Madonna's song.
Source: Ananova |
| 2010-07-20 | Madonna in trouble for London noise pollution | Pop superstar Madonna has been cited for noise pollution by London authorities after staff at her home in the capital threw a party in the singer's absence.
The Material Girl was out of the country on 27 June, when officials from Westminister City Council were called to investigate neighbours' noise complaints.
They found the music and singing coming from the property loud enough to be considered "statutory nuisance" and an official notice was posted through the letterbox, prompting Madonna's staff to put an end to the party antics.
But their raucous activities have landed their famous boss in trouble with local councillors - leaving her facing a possible court case and a fine of up to £3,330 if she is cited for similar offences in the future.
Councillor Ed Argar says, "We take the issue of noise pollution very seriously and treat every case alike and fairly, regardless of who owns the property concerned.
"If people want to hold a party, regardless of the time of day or night, they need to show some common courtesy to their neighbours, who should not have to pay the price for others' selfish behaviour."
However, a Westminister City Council spokesperson insists the case is unlikely to end up in court.
Source: Ananova |
| 2010-07-05 | Allen sings for stars at final gig | 
Lily Allen stepped out of the spotlight in style by opening for Jay-Z at Sunday's Wireless music festival in London in front of a star-studded crowd including Madonna, Beyonce and Gwyneth Paltrow.
"The Smile" hitmaker is taking a break from pop to concentrate on starting a family with her lover Sam Cooper, but was persuaded to perform at the event in the capital's Hyde Park by the 99 Problems rapper.
And Allen thanked fans for their raucous reaction to her set, saying, "I appreciate that you were jumping up and down because this is probably my last gig in London for some time."
She also dedicated her song Who'd Have Known to Cooper, before declaring her love for the businessman - prompting boos from revellers.
Allen quickly retorted, "Don't boo him you meanies... This one's for you baby!"
In the audience, Beyonce turned out to support her hip-hop superstar husband with actress Paltrow, while the Iron Man star's best pal Madonna watched the gigs with daughter Lourdes.
Allen still has one more performance left this summer at the Benicassim Festival in Spain on 18 July.
Source: Ananova |
| 2010-06-10 | Gaga defends racy new clip | 
Lady GaGa has defended her racy new "Alejandro" video following a storm of criticism over the religious imagery in the clip - insisting she will not be "broken" by "prejudice".
The promo, which Gaga has previously called "a celebration and an admiration of gay love", sees the saucy singer in her underwear writhing on a bed with semi-naked male dancers in a bondage-style scene. The video also shows Gaga dressed in a latex nuns' outfit, suggestively swallowing a set of rosary beads, and appears to include references to Madonna's famous videos for "Like A Prayer and Vogue".
The religious elements in the clip have caused consternation amongst campaign groups including bosses at America's Catholic League, who have released a statement slamming the star's efforts.
It reads, "Lady Gaga is playing Madonna copy cat, squirming around half-naked with half-naked guys, abusing Catholic symbols - they're always Catholic symbols - while bleating out Alejandro enough times to induce vomit... She has now become the new poster girl for American decadence and Catholic bashing, sans (without) the looks and talent of her role model."
But Gaga has hit back at the complaints, insisting she won't let the negative comments upset her.
In a series of posts on her Twitter.com page, she writes, "So many will try to destroy me. So many, over and over, coming in periods of greatness. But in this period, I cannot be broken... Prejudice is a disease. And when they come for you, or refuse your worth, I will be ready for their stones..."
The video's director Steven Klein has also spoken out following the negative reaction to the footage, and he's adamant Gaga did not intend to portray the Catholic church in a negative light.
He tells MTV.com, "The religious symbolism is not meant to denote anything negative, but represents the character's battle between the dark forces of this world and the spiritual salvation of the soul. Thus at the end of the film, she chooses to be a nun (and she swallows the rosary beads to represent) the desire to take in the holy."
Source: Ananova |
| 2009-10-09 | "Madge" buying flat for Jesus | Even though Madonna has admitted she's not keen on marrying for a third time she does want toyboy Jesus Luz to hang around.
The singer is planning to splash out £1.7million for an apartment for the model in New York.
Madge decided it's too early in their relationship for him to move in with her and the kids - but wants to keep him close.
Therefore his new pad is in walking distance of her £25million townhouse in the Upper East Side of the city.
A source told The Sun: "Madonna is buying Jesus an apartment in New York. She has her real estate agent searching for the perfect pad for him in the new neighbourhood where she has just moved.
"She's told them to spend no more than £1.7million and the pad has to be within walking distance of her townhouse. She is financing everything but Jesus will own it once it's found and bought.
"She really wasn't kidding when she told him he'll never have to worry about money from now on."
She's not only willing to splash her own cash on him but she's also made sure he doesn't have to struggle for work.
The Queen of Pop has sorted some nice modelling work with her friends Dolce & Gabbana and Marc Jacobs.
It's good to have friends in high places!
Source: Ananova |
| 2009-10-07 | Madonna Gets Payout Over Wedding Photos | Madonna has accepted substantial undisclosed damages from the Mail on Sunday after it published photographs of her wedding to Guy Ritchie.
The newspaper had admitted privacy and infringement of copyright after publishing 10 pictures from her wedding at Skibo castle in the Scottish Highlands in December 2000.
The singer, who was not at London's High Court for the settlement against Associated Newspapers, is to donate the damages to her charity Raising Malawi.
Madonna's solicitor, John Kelly, told Mr Justice Peter Smith that the star went to great pains to ensure that the wedding was completely private.
But, in 2003, an interior designer, who was working on the singer's home in Beverly Hills, copied at least 27 photos from the wedding album.
They were then provided to Bonnie Robinson who, in June 2008, offered to sell them to the Mail on Sunday.
Mr Kelly said the newspaper did not purchase them at that time but waited until October 2008 when Madonna had announced she was divorcing Guy Ritchie.
Just three days after she had announced her divorce - and without any warning to Madonna - the newspaper published 10 of the photos.
Associated Newspapers' solicitor, Niri Shan, said it accepted it was wrong to act in this way.
The publisher also offered its sincere apologies to Madonna and her family for invading her privacy and infringing her copyright.
Mr Kelly said that, even though she could have done, Madonna did not sell her wedding photos to the media.
"It was far more important to the claimant that the privacy of the occasion was maintained."
No pictures from the private wedding had been published anywhere in the world until the Mail in Sunday splashed the pictures over its front page and two inside pages in October 2008.
Madonna was given no warning over the publication of the pictures.
If she had Madonna's solicitor said she would have obtained an injunction preventing publication.
Mr Kelly said that as she was denied this opportunity, the photos were quickly republished throughout the world.
Madonna and Guy Ritchie were granted a "quickie" divorce earlier this year.
Source: Ananova |
| 2009-09-02 | Rammstein To Release "Pussy" Single This Month | Rammstein, the Berlin, Germany-based industrial metal sextet well known for its controversial and fiery live performances, will release a new single, "Pussy", on September 18. It will be made available a two-song digipack, also featuring the track "Rammlied" as the B-side. A video for "Pussy" was recently shot with renowned Swedish director Jonas Åkerlund, who has previously worked with Metallica, Satyricon, Madonna и The Prodigy, among others.
"Pussy" comes off Rammstein's new album, which will be released in the U.S. this fall via Vagrant Records. The band's first new CD in four years contains 11 songs which were once again mixed and mastered by Jacob Hellner in Stockholm, Sweden. Pre-production for the new release was done at Castle Beerenstedt in eastern Germany's Halle/Saale while the bulk of the recording was done in late 2008 at Northern California's Sonoma Mountain Studio.
The track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. Rammlied
02. Ich Tu Dir Weh
03. Waidmann's Heil
04. Haifisch
05. B******
06. Fruehling In Paris
07. Weiner Blut
08. Pussy
09. Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da
10. Mehr
11. Roter Sand
Source: DarkSide.ru |
| 2008-11-14 | Britney Spears previews new material | Britney Spears has provided fans with a taste of her new material.
Six songs from her forthcoming album, Circus, have been woven together to form an exclusive 'Beat The Leak' mixtape.
The mash-up, which includes the album's lead single 'Womanizer', can be heard on New York radio station KTU's website.
Thirty-second samples of all 15 album tracks have also been uploaded to Amazon, giving fans a preview of what they can expect when Circus is released on 1 December.
Britney made a return to the live stage last week, performing alongside Madonna during the Los Angeles leg of the veteran star's Sticky & Sweet tour. The pair dueted on 'Human Nature'.
Justin Timberlake also made a cameo that evening, but the former couple did not appear onstage together.
Source: Ananova |
| 2008-02-27 | Madonna names album | Madonna has named her new album "Hard Candy".
The Material Girl singer has finally named her eleventh album which is produced by Timbaland and Danja.
This will be Madonna's last album with label Warner Brothers, before she moves onto a ten year deal with event-organising firm Live Nation.
Hard Candy will be released on April 28.
Source: Ananova |
| 2008-02-26 | Madonna's album details revealed | Danja has given details on producing Madonna's new album saying it has a "different sound".
The SexyBack producer, real name Nate Hills, worked with his pal Timbaland on Madonna's 11th album which is currently untitled.
He told Rolling Stone: "She wanted up-tempo, dance, club music, and for everything to have a hip-hop underlining."
Danja and Timbaland were invited to work on the album because she was a fan of their work with Justin Timberlake.
The new album is out April 28.
Source: Ananova |
| 2007-12-11 | Madonna slams ageism | Madonna believes society is ageist and wont let it stop her career.
The singer turns 50 next year but shows no signs of slowing down, having recently signed a ten year deal with Live Nation.
According to the World Entertainment News Network, the singer refuses to let it affect her: "Not only does society suffer from racism and sexism but it also suffers from ageism."
"Once you reach a certain age you're not allowed to be adventurous, you're not allowed to be sexual. I mean, is there a rule? Are you supposed to just die?"
Source: Ananova |
| 2007-12-03 | Madonna's new music is hot | Madonna's new album will be "hot" says producer Pharrell Williams.
The Number One rapper has been working on Madonna's as-yet-untitled eleventh album, and told the Daily Star: "It was crazy. I don't want to say too much.
"I'd rather wait for you to hear it. It's awesome though. It makes the speakers bleed. It's hot!"
The album is due for release in 2008 and also features a collaboration with Justin Timberlake.
Source: Ananova |
| 2007-10-17 | Madonna signs Live Nation deal | Madonna has finally put pen to paper on a record deal with concert promoters Live Nation.
The Queen of Pop has cut her 25 year old ties with previous label Warner music to sign the contract, which the BBC reports is worth $120 million (£59m).
In a pioneering deal, Live Nation will now be in charge of all of Madge's musical moves, including organising tours, merchandise as well as all of her future record releases.
Talking about the big money move, Madonna said that it opens up "endless" possibilities.
"The paradigm in the music business has shifted and as an artist and a businesswoman, I have to move with that shift", she added.
"For the first time in my career, the way that my music can reach my fans is unlimited."
As part of her commitment to Warner, the Hung Up star will make one more album, due out at the start of 2008, and hand over the rights to her back catalogue.
Source: Ananova |
| 2007-10-11 | Madge close to Live Nation deal | Madonna is close to sealing a new deal with concert promotion company Live Nation.
An inside source has alleged the Queen of Pop is soon to leave Warner Brothers in favour of a $120, 000,000 (£58,771,672) contract. The deal would see Madge receive a combination of cash and stock in exchange for the firm distributing three studio albums, promoting concert tours and selling merchandise.
Billboard reports that a source familiar with Warner confirmed the basic details of the report whilst a Live Nation spokesperson declined to comment.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Warner Music tried to match the new deal, calling on the services of TicketMaster's parent company in order to retain Madonna.
However details of the new tie-up remain ambiguous following word from a Warner spokesperson in August who claimed Madge still owed them a new studio CD and a greatest hits package.
Source: Ananova |
| 2007-10-02 | Groove Armada in Madge cover | Groove Armada are to cover Madonna's '80s hit, Crazy For You.
The dance duo have re-worked Madge's classic track as part of BBC Radio 1's 40th anniversary celebrations where a host of artists have chosen a track from each year since the station launched in 1967.
Explaining to the BBC why he picked the track, GA's Tom Findlay said: "It was a good time for me, early teenage years and good memories of slow dancing girls at school discos and snogging birds in braces and stuff so it's all good things."
Frontman Alan Donohoe from the Rakes was pulled in to lay down the vocals on the cover which the Superstylin' hitmakers say they have changed to get a feeling of a lonely guy in a bedsit.
Of the finished result, Tom said: "I'm really proud of it. I really stand up for it and I can't wait to hear and see if anyone else's are better than ours."
Other stars to have taken part in the cover celebrations include Kasabian with the Specials' Too Much Too Young, Klaxon's with Blackstreet's No Diggity and Kylie with Love Is The Drug by Roxy Music.
Source: Ananova |
| 2007-09-27 | Madonna: Worlds most successful | Madonna has been crowded the world's most successful female musician by the Guinness Book of Records.
The record breaking 49 year old earned more than £100 million for her 60 date Confessions tour, making her over £1.5. million per show.
The news follows rumours that the singer may be leaving her record label to sign up with tour organisers Live Nation.
A deal with Live Nation would possibly earn her another £50 million.
Source: Ananova |
| 2007-09-27 | Natasha in Madge cover | Natasha Bedingfield has recorded a cover version of Madonna's Ray Of Light.
The I Wanna Have Your Babies singer made a new version of the Madonna track as part of Radio 1's 40th anniversary celebrations and says she now has a new found respect for the Queen of Pop.
Bedingfield told The Sun: "I have so much respect for Madonna after learning how hard it is to sing that song.
"She has an amazing voice - the range you need to sing that song is incredible."
Natasha also revealed that her brother Daniel is preparing himself for a chart comeback adding: "Daniel has written loads of songs and he has an album almost ready. So he will be back and it's brilliant."
Natasha's own single Say It Again is set for release on October 8.
Source: Ananova |
| 2007-09-25 | Madonna backs gigs over LP at 50 | Madonna is planning a tour to coincide with her 50th birthday next year.
Unconfirmed dates in 2008 have a working title of Madonna at 50 and come as the iconic pop veteran is rumoured to be considering leaving her record company to sign a contract based on touring alone.
A senior music industry source told Ireland Online: "This is a sign of the times."
The source added: "At this stage madonna realises she stands to make more money from touring than releasing records."
Madge's last tour, Confessions, made £102.3 million.
Source: Ananova |
| 2007-09-21 | Akon bigs up legends | Senegalese rapper Akon has revealed his plans for three massive collaborations with Madonna, Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson.
Speaking to MTV, the Locked Up star didn't give away too many details about each of the projects but still managed to get completely carried away when hyping up each collaboration.
On teaming-up with Jacko, Akon said: "We about to shake the world up, man.
"Just to be in the same room (with him), I felt everything I wanted to accomplish in life has been achieved."
From working with the King of Pop, he then raved about his upcoming studio time with the Queen of Pop, stating that the pair will "shock the world" before the year is out.
And last but not least, Akon bigged up the much-maligned Whitney Houston, who he is helping along the comeback trail by collaborating with her on a couple of tracks.
"She's the truth. She's undeniable.... This album is going be one of the biggest albums she decided to put out," he boasted.
With so much work on his plate, it doesn't look the rapper has any time to work on his own new material, estimating that it'll be 18 months before the world gets a new Akon album.
Source: Ananova |
| 2005-02-10 | Prince is a big earner | Prince has been named the biggest earning artist of 2004.
The singer beat Madonna and Elton John in a poll of the top 20 biggest pop earners of 2004 by Rolling Stone magazine.
Prince made a comeback last year and earned Ј35million from concerts and CD sales reports The Sun.
Source: Ananova |
| 2005-01-28 | Madonna turns down Ricky | Madonna has turned down an offer from Ricky Gervais to appear in his new TV comedy Extras.
Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Ben Stiller and Samuel L Jackson have all confirmed cameo appearances.
Each actor will be cast as themselves in their own episode of the new BBC comedy series, about film extras chasing their big break.
However, Madonna refuses to play herself and will only agree to appear in the show if a character is developed for her.
Source: Ananova |
| 2005-01-19 | Madonna awarded Blue Peter badge | Madonna has been given a Blue Peter badge.
She got the badge following an interview by presenter Matt Barker about her fourth children's book The Adventures of Adbi.
Madonna's book is based on the Kabbalah faith which she studies, alongside husband Guy Ritchie.
The illustrated story, part of a series of five tales, centres on Italian greyhound Lotsa de Casha, a wealthy dog who is still unhappy reports BBC online.
Source: Ananova |
| 2005-01-04 | Madonna renews vows | Madonna and Guy Ritchie have renewed their wedding vows in a secret ceremony - on their anniversary.
The couple gave each other expensive new rings in a low-key Kabbalah-based ceremony at their Ashcombe mansion in Wiltshire.
Guy, 35, bought a ring costing Ј100,000 reports The Sun.
He and Madonna, 46, chose to renew their vows after a tough year which saw the singer collapse during her world tour.
They chose the fourth anniversary of their wedding at Skibo Castle in Dornoch, Scotland, to repeat their vows.
A source close to the couple said: "Madonna and Guy are closer now than ever before. They've been together a long time and felt the time was right to renew their wedding vows.
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and his actress wife Gwyneth Paltrow were invited to see the couple exchange rings.
Source: Ananova |
| 2004-12-27 | Madonna's 'bad behaviour' at Oscars exposed | Madonna burst into a tirade of bad language during rehearsals for her 1991 Oscar appearance, a new book reveals.
This is despite the fact a group of children were standing just yards away, it claims.
The singer is alleged to have become angry when told that a technician had fallen asleep. He was supposed to be controlling a microphone which was to appear out of nowhere.
She launched into "an astonishing profane tirade despite the fact that the area below the stage was also occupied by a group of children," writes Premiere journalist Steve Pond in his upcoming book The Big Show: High Times and Dirty Dealings at the Academy Awards.
Pond adds: "Furious, she grabbed (the bearer of the bad news) around the neck and lifted him bodily off the ground, not relinquishing her grip until the trapdoor opened and she began to rise."
It is also claimed that Madonna became angry when her performance was delayed because a female camera operator was seriously injured after falling off the stage into the orchestra pit.
When told of the reason for the delay, the pop star is said to have asked: "But, she's just lying there. Can't we just do this?"
Madonna was rehearsing her song Sooner or Later, from her Dick Tracy movie.
The book also reveals how Whitney Houston began singing The Way We Were during rehearsals for the 2000 awards while pianist Burt Bacharach was playing Over the Rainbow.
Source: Ananova |
| 2004-12-02 | Madonna earns over Ј5m for ads | Madonna has earned Ј5.4 million after starring in an advertising campaign for Versace.
As well as the payout she also gets use of the Versace mansion in Milan and free clothes for the next two years, reports US Weekly.
The advertising campaign was photographed by Mario Testino, who also took the photos when Madonna starred in ads for Versace in 1995.
Source: Ananova |
| 2004-11-19 | Madonna: Kabbalah is not a fad | Madonna has blasted accusations her interest in Kabbalah is a fad, but attacks some celebrities for following the faith because it is fashionable.
The star insists she has been studying the mystical offshoot of Judaism seriously for eight years, but accepts stars including Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan may be interested in the religion to attract attention to themselves.
According to Femalefirst quoting CNN she said: "I wouldn't say studying Kabbalah for eight years goes under the category or falls under the category of being a fad or a trend.
"Now there might be people who are interested in it because they think it's trendy, but I can assure you that studying Kabbalah is actually a very challenging thing to do. It requires a lot of work, a lot of reading, a lot of time, a lot of commitment and a lot of discipline."
Meanwhile, she said George Bush should read Kabbalah to make him a better leader.
She said: "To get George Bush to study Kabbalah. Yes. It would be amazing."
Source: Ananova |
| 2004-11-12 | Madonna named one of America's 'most powerful Jews' | Madonna has been named one of the most powerful Jewish Americans despite protestations from her spokeswoman that "Madonna is not Jewish."
The 46-year-old popstar's enthusiasm for the Jewish mystic cult of Kabbalah has helped earn her 51st spot on the annual list of the most powerful and influential Jewish Americans in The Forward paper.
J.J. Goldberg, editor of the Jewish weekly, defended its decision to include Madonna on the list saying, "She's a practitioner of the Kabbalah, so she's practicing Judaism for Christ's sake! Well, not really for Christ's sake, but she's probably the world's best known practitioner of Judaism right now."
Madonna's publicist Liz Rosenberg repeatedly advised The Forward that "it wouldn't be appropriate to include her on such a list" because Madonna "is not Jewish," reports the New York Daily News.
Madonna has become a devotee of Kabbalah telling promoters on her Reinvention tour that she would not play gigs on Friday nights because it was against her religion.
She also is said to observe the Jewish sabbath, asked friends to call her Esther, her religious name and has published a series of children's books based on Kabbalah stories.
Source: Ananova |
| 2004-11-08 | Madonna's daughter writes story | Madonna's daughter has written a story for a fund-raising Christmas book.
Lourdes Leon's story will feature in Christmas Stories, a book being launched by Selfridges in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Lourdes is following in her mother's footsteps, with Madonna having sold more than 500,000 copies worldwide of her first children's book, The English Roses.
Fourteen other celebrities have also contributed stories reports the Evening Standard.
Boxer Audley Harrison writes about a little boy getting his first boxing gloves for Christmas while Tara Palmer-Tomkinson contributes a poem about a girl who lives in a cake.
X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne writes about her British bulldog, Lola, while other contributors include Sarah, the Duchess of York, as well as David Hasselhoff, Michael Owen and Eamonn Holmes.
Source: Ananova |
| 2004-11-04 | Madonna building recording studio | Madonna is building a recording studio at her British country estate.
The star loves being in the English countryside so much that she is splashing out on the studio so she can spend more time at Ashcombe House in Wiltshire.
Earlier this year, she won her battle to stop ramblers roaming on the estate reports Femalefirst.
The singer and her husband, director Guy Ritchie, had launched a bid to stop plans to open parts of their Ј9 million home to public, claiming it would have violated their privacy and breached their human rights.
The Countryside Agency had designated 17 acres of the 1,132-acre estate as open countryside which, under the government's new law, would allow people to get within 100 yards of the couple's mansion
Source: Ananova |
| 2004-09-29 | Eminem mocks Madonna in video | The rapper dresses up in drag - complete with blonde ponytail, full make-up and a conical bra - to look like the Queen of Pop during her Blonde Ambition tour.
In the video, for new single Just Lose It, Eminem struts around the stage in the raunchy pink corset reports Femalefirst.
But he accidentally gets too close to a flaming candelabra - and sets one of his pointy boobs on fire.
A source revealed: "Eminem is really getting into sex and gender issues." Madonna is the latest pop star to be mocked by the cheeky rap star - he has previously poked fun at , Moby and NSYNC in his videos.
Eminem also strips off in the latest video.
The singer, who caused controversy at this year's MTV Movie Awards when he bared his bottom, is seen running through the streets of Los Angeles naked - with nothing but a sock to protect his modesty.
Onlookers recently claimed Eminem - real name Marshall Mathers III - may have had an all-over body wax, as his body looks extremely smooth.
The single is the first to be released from his fourth album, Encore.
Source: Ananova |
| 2004-09-14 | Madonna's music is 's**t' says Liam Howlett: | The Prodigy's Liam Howlett has admitted he thinks Madonna's music is s**t.
Liam accepted Madonna's invitation to DJ for her when she played at Wembley Arena last month.
Howlett, whose band are signed to Madonna's Maverick label, says he did it for the money.
He also says that the Beastie Boys asked him to DJ before their Reading Festival performance telling him what he could and couldn't play.
He told the San Francisco Chronicle, "I think I've still got a little bit of an issue with the time the Beastie Boys called me up at home before the Reading Festival and said, `You can't play Smack My Bitch Up. You can't do this, you can't do that.'
"I hate their new record. It's weak and dated. But, I mean, I don't ring them up and tell them their album's crap, do I.?"
The band's latest album, Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned, debuted at No. 1 in the UK last month. The album is released in the US this week.
The band begin a UK tour at the Birmingham Academy on December 2.
Source: Ananova |
| 2004-08-17 | Madonna opts for natural remedies | Madonna's herbalist has put her on a strict regime of natural remedies in order to help her perform well during the UK leg of her tour.
The star, who turned 46 yesterday, worried her guru when she turned down a photo shoot aboard a London bus because it would make her feel sick.
According to the Daily Star a source said: "Madonna is a perfectionist and she gives her everything when she performs.
"She has got the body of someone in their twenties but can't forget that she's four years off 50 in reality so she has to look after her joints.
"Her fabulous routines really push her and she needs to keep healthy. Motion sickness indicates a person feels rundown and worn out but there are may remedies to combat this."
The 56-date Re-Invention tour started in the Los Angeles in May, and has so far taken the pop icon across the US and Canada.
By the time it finishes on 14 September in Portugal, an estimated 750,000 fans are expected to have seen her perform hits from her 20-year career.
Source: Ananova |
| 2004-08-10 | Madonna wants backstage "peace room" | Madonna has reportedly demanded that a special "peace room" be built backstage at her UK gigs.
She is said to want a soundproof zone where she can meditate into a trance for an hour before going on stage.
The Sun says she wants the walls draped in green sheeting, with soft cushions on the floor to squat on.
Organisers have been ordered to prepare the special room at the Manchester Evening News Arena where the singer plays two gigs this weekend.
She has six other dates on her British tour.
An insider in her camp said: "She doesn't want to hear a pin drop outside and it needs to be green - the colour most conducive to meditation. She calls it her peace room."
Source: Ananova |
| 2004-07-19 | Beyonce eyes Chelsea home | Singer Beyonce Knowles is said to be eyeing up a house in London - following in the footsteps of Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow.
The Mail on Sunday says she's already viewed a five-storey property in Chelsea and has offered Ј2.6m for it.
A source told the paper: "Beyonce has fallen in love with the property. She thinks it has been beautifully restored and has told friends she is desperate to make it her London home."
The five-bedroom house boasts a 30ft double reception room, three bathrooms, a kitchen-breakfast room, dining room and a 32ft split-level garden.
A spokeswoman for the Knight Frank estate agency said: "Client confidentiality means we are unable to discuss whether Beyonce has looked around the property."
Source: Ananova |
| 2004-06-17 | Madonna changes name to Esther | Madonna has reportedly changed her name to Esther.
The singer was inspired to take on a new name by her study of Jewish mysticism known as Kabbalah.
Madonna is rarely seen out without Kabbalah's trademark red string bracelet.
Her husband, Guy Ritchie, is also a follower of Kabbalah.
Madonna and Guy have a son together, four-year-old Rocco, and Madonna has a seven-year-old daughter, Lourdes, from her previous relationship with her former personal trainer, Carlos Leon.
She said the best thing about growing older was "getting smarter".
The key to a successful marriage is "learning to apologise", she said.
She also told of her and Ritchie's ritual after she has had a tough stage performance - she takes a bath and he comes and chats about his day. Performances of Madonna's Re-Invention tour in New York were said to be selling slowly.
Source: Ananova |
| 2004-06-16 | Madonna's kids taught good manners | Madonna says she believes in instilling traditional values and good manners in her children, Lourdes and Rocco.
She made her comments in an interview on ABC's 20/20 programme later this week.
She told Cynthia McFadden: "Even my children have to clean up their mess. Manners, thank you, please, take your dishes to the sink.
"I mean, gratitude, being grateful. If it's traditional to be a decent human being, then I'm traditional."
The singer also says her new book, Yakov and the Seven Thieves, is dedicated to "naughty children everywhere."
She adds: "Even the naughtiest person in the world, big or small, has the capacity to do something good in the world. She even refers to herself as "naughty child, No. 1!"
Source: Ananova |
| 2004-06-14 | Madonna and Britney set for kiss replay? | Madonna and Britney Spears want to recreate their infamous on-stage kiss this week - if Spears is fit enough to appear.
The Material Girl has asked Spears to sing with her on Wednesday at the first of six New York shows of her world tour.
The Sun says insiders claim the pair are on for a replay of their kiss which came last August at the MTV Video Music Awards.
They were singing a duet of Madonna's song Hollywood when they locked lips.
But Spears may not make the show in New York after undergoing surgery for an injury she sustained while shooitngshooting for her new song.
A source told The Sun: "Britney was delighted when Madonna asked her if she could join her on stage. They got loads of reaction the first time they kissed.
"She agreed to do it immediately. Their people have been faxing and e-mailing non-stop to sort things out. Everything was confirmed last week."
Source: Ananova |
| 2004-06-08 | Madonna has landed a new film role | Madonna has landed a new film role - playing a gunslinging 1920s cowgirl.
The singer will play silent movie star Texas Guinan in Martin Scorsese's big-screen musical Hello Sucker!
The tale is based on the life of legendary bareback horserider Guinan who appeared in Hollywood Westerns.
She also became a rebel nightclub host who openly flouted Prohibition laws. She kick-started her stage shows with the hellraising catchphrase Hello Sucker!
The Sun says Madonna will co-produce the film with Scorsese and will also write the music.
It will be shot next year and the soundtrack will be her next album, with the first single a cover of 1920s hit There'll Be Some Changes Made.
The movie will be directed by Jeremy Scott who masterminded Madonna's anti-war video for her hit American Life.
The film arm of her production company Maverick bought the rights to the film in 2001 and planned a stage show but later hit on the movie idea. Madonna's been laying down tracks for it since last year.
Courtney Love was cast as Guinan and even wrote some songs but she has been dropped over her recent drug troubles.
Source: Ananova |
| 2004-06-03 | Madonna imposes cursing fine on tour | Madonna has imposed a "cursing fine" on anyone in her Re-Invention tour entourage found swearing.
"Every time someone curses they have to pay a fine," an insider told the New York Post.
The 45-year-old singer's rep Liz Rosenberg said, "That is correct. And by the way, she has paid plenty (herself). I think it is 5 dollars (about Ј3) a curse word."
According to the Post, Kabbalah devotee Madonna has already paid into the swear box several times - she was caught during rehearsals screaming at her dancers: "Get it right or get the f*** out!."
Madonna's tour visits the UK on August 15 when she will perform at the Manchester Evening News Arena.
She's due to play two nights at London's Earls Court Arena on August 18 and 19 and four nights at Wembley Arena on August 22, 23, 25 and 26.
Source: Ananova |
| 2004-05-25 | Madonna launches world tour | Madonna was in incredible shape as she launched her new world tour in Los Angeles.
The star, who had promised fans her most spectacular show to date, was in sparkling form.
The packed concert in LA's Great Western Forum was the first of 50 for the Re-Invention tour which will see the singer perform in the US, Canada and Europe.
Her entourage includes more than 100 people travelling on the road, 56 security guards working backstage and 12 dancers.
A truck houses her wardrobe and make-up and she has also made provision for a children's playroom backstage.
An estimated 750,000 fans are expected to see the show, which arrives in the UK in August.
The tour represents Madonna's first live dates since 2001, when she embarked on the Drowned World tour.
Source: Ananova |
| 2004-04-28 | George Michael king of the airwaves | George Michael is the most played artist on British radio.
The singer has received more airplay than Robbie Williams, Elton John and Madonna.
Songs such as Careless Whisper and Faith have earned him millions of plays on radio stations up and down the country and now he is being honoured by the Radio Academy for his achievement.
"I can't believe it. I've only made six albums in 22 years so I don't know how this happened. I'm the luckiest writer on earth," Michael said.
His hits with Wham!, including Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, I'm Your Man and Last Christmas, helped him top the chart of most played artists of the past 20 years.
Sir Elton was second in the list, followed by Williams.
Kylie Minogue was fourth and one of only two women to make the top 10 - the other is Madonna at number six. Bryan Adams is fifth thanks to his hit (Everything I Do) I Do It For You, which topped the charts for 16 weeks in 1991.
The chart was compiled by Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL), which collects royalties from radio stations on behalf of record companies, from the 600 national and local radio stations in the UK.
Source: Ananova |
| 2003-07-29 | Robbie Williams tells of fighting off fan | Robbie Williams has told how he had to fight off a fan who tried to molest him as he played live - by pulling her by the hair.
The singer was performing at Amsterdam Arena when he dragged a beautiful woman called Sabine from the audience to the stage.
But speaking about the incident for the first time to Radio 1 he said he regretted his actions when she started writhing on top of him.
In an interview with Sara Cox being broadcast on her Breakfast Show, he said he has been regularly inviting members of the crowd on stage. He said: "I got one out one night and she'd not washed and she smelt, quite frankly."
But picking out Sabine he thought: "I'm going to have a good time here so I picked a good looking one.
"She gets up on stage and she puts her hands down my pants, her tongue down my mouth and she was trying to rip my vest off and I'm singing, trying to maintain the fact that these people think I'm a bit cool.
"At one point she was locked like a vice grip and she's writhing with me. I've tried to pull her off and sit her next to me but she straddles the top of me and starts grinding - now normally this wouldn't be a problem, but there's 60,000 other people there so I try to pull her hair to make it look sexy but I'm actually trying to pull her off of me."
Williams also said he realises he has now reached the Madonna and Michael Jacksons proportions in terms of the audiences he can attract.
"When you're in the middle of a storm you don't actually know how big it is. And every now and again I ask myself who else plays stadiums? The Jacksons, Madonna, U2 and I go, 'bloody hell, I must be that big'.
"You can't get a perspective of what it is or who you are or what your fame's like because you're not looking at it from the outside. I'm just a bit giddy with my own success at the minute. I mean that in a very humble way," added Williams who begins a three-night stint at Knebworth in Hertfordshire on Friday.
Source: Ananova |
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