NEWS - DECEMBER 2004 « November (part II) - News index - December (part II) »

14 December - Madonna heads list of year's Top Tours Madonna's blockbuster Re-Invention tour took all of the drama out of the top tour of the year race, ringing up a year's best $125 million in total box office gross by the time it wrapped in September. According to Billboard Boxscore, Madonna sold out 55 of 56 performances worldwide, with an average nightly take of $2.23 million. "My Re-Invention tour was by far the most creatively satisfying experience I have ever had," Madonna tells Billboard. "I was able to put everything I love into one entertaining event: film, music and dance." The tour was produced worldwide by Clear Channel Entertainment. Prince's Musicology tour, produced by AEG Live, drew nearly 1.5 million people, more than any other artist, and grossed $90.2 million, second only to Madonna. Shania Twain was third, reporting grosses totaling $62.5 million and playing to nearly 950,000 fans. The rest of the top 10 includes Simon & Garfunkel ($59 million), Metallica ($53.8 million), Bette Midler ($53.3 million), Sting ($52.4 million), Kenny Chesney ($49.3 million), David Bowie ($46 million) and Toby Keith ($44.3 million). This year, Celine Dion reported more than $77 million from her residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. If Dion's numbers reflected a "tour" per se, she would rank third among all acts. The Red Hot Chili Peppers, with James Brown and Chicks On Speed, headlined the top engagement at the year, three nights at London's Hyde Park that grossed $17,187,324 and drew more than 258,000 June 19, 20 and 25. For the fifth consecutive year, Madison Square Garden in New York City tops the list of arenas, reporting music-event grosses totaling just under $73 million. For the second consecutive year, Tweeter Center in Mansfield, Mass., is the top amphitheater, reporting more than $23 million from 32 concerts. (source: Billboard) 14 December - Madonna to star in 'Revolver'? Madonna is going to star in film director husband Guy Ritchie's next film, Revolver. After a very poor reception from critics to the couple's last cinematic offering, Swept Away, Madge and Ritchie are now trying their luck with gangster movie Revolver. Insiders claim that the Frozen singer is a great fan of her husband's work and begged for a part in the Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels director's new film. A source told the Daily Mirror: "Guy's very respected and is doing his best to make Revolver as controversy free as possible, But the missus really wanted a walk-on part - and who is he to say no?" The source added: "Madonna came to spend a week with her husband while he was over here and she seemed to enjoy it. "Everyone thought she was here for a holiday so it was a bit surprising to see her filming. "She was getting really into it so it's clear she's taking it seriously. But it's obviously not a major role as she wasn't on the island very long." The movie, filmed on the Isle of Man, also features Ray Liotta of Goodfellas fame. (source: Digital Spy) 13 December - Mad-Eyes webmaster interviewed about Madonna meeting Last saturday, Belgian newspaper De Gazet van Antwerpen interviewed Mad-Eyes webmaster Bartie and another Madonna fan Dirk on their meeting with Madonna at the Selfridges book signing. During the interview Bart and Dirk discuss the book 'The Adventures of Abdi' and their meeting with Madonna at the Selfridges' book signing. The Mad-Eyes website and the online fan community are also mentioned and Dirk tells about his intention to get the X-STaTIC PRO=CeSS exhibition to Antwerp. The article (in Dutch) appears in todays issue of the national newspaper. 13 December - Madonna wins estate battle Pop star Madonna has finally won her battle to keep ramblers off her country estate in Wiltshire this winter. The property's been made exempt from the new right to roam legislation due to take effect from tomorrow. The decision was made by the Countryside Agency after the singer claimed her property was intensively used for shooting between September and February - and the walkers could be at risk from getting shot. (source: ITV West) 13 December - From Flab To Fab: Madonna Style Nobody raises eyebrows and pushes the envelope quite like Madonna. For more than two decades, this one-woman media powerhouse has taken a lead role in defining the landscape of modern music, elevating herself to cultural icon status in the process. Infamous for her ability to set trends with her frequent and radical image transformations, one thing has always remained consistent in her look: her amazingly sculpted physique. Three of Madonna's biggest fans will find out that living the diva life isn't as easy as she makes it look. As a magazine editor, Mario is in a job that bombards him with images of hot men, constantly reminding him that he is out-of-shape. Don is ready to settle down with a boyfriend, but feels he can't compete in the ultra-looks conscience gay dating scene. And Rodney knows he could be a healthier person, if he could only give up the smoking and cocktails of his party boy lifestyle. For 12-weeks, these three men will tackle Madonna's daily macrobiotic diet and intense training sessions, including everything from yoga to mountain biking to fencing. Just like the provocateur they admire, they'll have an entourage of trainers, nutritionists and style experts responsible for reinventing their looks. With the Material Girl as their inspiration, can these three men push themselves beyond their limits to go FROM FLAB TO FAB? Find out with VH1's 'From Flab To Fab: Madonna style' - first episode airing today on VH1 at 11.30am EST. 13 December - Madonna befriends Melinda Messenger at Kabbalah night Queen of Pop Madonna has struck up a bizarre friendship with ex-topless model Melinda Messenger thanks to their love of wacky faith kabbalah. The superstar and her husband Guy Ritchie became best buddies with Melinda, 33, and spouse Wayne during weird prayer sessions at the mystical Jewish sect's London centre. And the eccentric couple are so taken with their new pals they recently invited them to a private dinner with a handful of honoured kabbalah devotees at the HQ. The oddball evening began with a bizarre prayer session with Madonna, 46, and Melinda - dressed like her idol in boots, long black coat and hair scraped back into pony tail - sitting on one side of the room. Guy, 36, builder Wayne, 29, and other male followers sat on the other side on plastic seats while the kabbalah bible was read backwards amid lots of chanting and clapping. Suddenly Madonna (who now wants to be known as Esther) Guy, Melinda and Wayne jumped up and faced east towards a painting of an idyllic scene of roaming hills and started to chant: "Chernobyl, Chernobyl, Chernobyl." As they chanted they were asked to send positive thoughts towards the town that was the scene of the world's worst-ever nuclear disaster in 1986. An insider said: "Guy, who was dressed in white, got so carried away that he left his seat, hugged the rabbis and then went and kissed his missus on the cheek before returning to his seat. He then continued chanting 'Chernobyl, Chernobyl'." Half an hour later the happy foursome and a select few kabbalah followers were ushered upstairs for supper. Madonna's eight-year-old daughter Lourdes - now being called Lola - joined them in the candle-lit dining room. They tucked into a four-course meal of green salad and bread, white fish and vegetable stew, kosher beef, ratatouille and chocolate cup cakes. The food was "blessed" by everyone standing up, hugging each other and swaying side-to-side for 20 minutes while clapping and singing. While Madonna drank glass after glass of Kabbalah water, other guests sipped Coca-Cola or wine. After their "feast" Melinda and Wayne joined a circle holding hands with the others around a seated Madonna, Guy and a rabbi. They chanted and jumped up and down as Guy closed his eyes then furiously banged his hands on the table as if he was playing the drums. Lola quietly watched from the corner with a rabbi as mum and dad chanted for an incredible 30 minutes. When it was time to call it a night at the centre, in North West London, Melinda hugged Madonna and said: 'Goodnight, my good friend, Esther'. Lola was dropped off by a rabbi in a black Range Rover as Guy and Madonna walked home hand-in-hand reminiscing about their night out with Melinda and Wayne. (source: The Sunday Mirror) 13 December - Madonna creates Xmas dolls Pop superstar Madonna is offering 5,000 fans an extra special Christmas treat by OK-ing a set of hand-painted Russian babushka dolls made in her image. The limited edition nesting creations, which feature five of Madonna's incarnations that can be found inside another, are available on the singer's website madonna.com. (source: ContactMusic) 13 December - Madonna shocked Santa with virginity wish Madonna once asked Santa Claus to give her her virginity back! The pop superstar sat on celebrity Santa Brady White's lap at one Hollywood party and asked for the impossible. White who charges up to $5,000 (GBP2,630) to dish out the `Ho, ho hos' at star-studded Christmas parties, admits he begged the Material Girl to come up with something more material. He recalls, "I begged her, 'Please think of something else. Poor Santa can't work miracles.'" But White was a lucky charm for pal Cher, who asked him for an OSCAR just two months before she was crowned Best Actress for her role in Moonstruck. The celebrity Santa's magic also rubbed off on Jodie Foster,who asked White for a meaty role just before landing the part of Clarice Starling in Silence Of The Lambs. (source: ContactMusic) 09 December - Madonna videos at iFilm Check out Madonna's latest videos for What It Feels Like For A Girl, Die Another Day, American Life, Hollywood and Love Profusion at iFilm. "She's had more personas than most women have shoes, and the Material Mom doesn't seem to be settling down. Whether she's protesting the superficiality of our pop culture or simply exploiting it for her own sexy purposes, she's always worth a look. Check out some recent incarnations of the mystical, magical dance goddess we like to call Madge." 09 December - Q ICONS Exhibition and Q Mag article The Proud Camden gallery in London has just opened a stunning new Rock ‘N' Roll photographic exhibition that features Madonna as a musical Icon. The exhibition engaged the help of Q Magazine readers and 02 mobile customers to vote on the 100 most influential rock stars that would ultimately be featured. John Lennon was voted the number one music Icon, followed by Kurt Cobain, Keith Richards, David Bowie, Elvis Presley and Madonna. Legendary music photographers Gered Mankovitz, Ross Halfin, and Mick Rock used their first hand experience to choose the images that would showcase the rock stars as they evolved into Icons. The exhibition is open for public viewing from December 3, 2004 and until January 28, 2005. For more information visit proud.co.uk. (source: Madonna.com) ~ Check fansite MadonnaMegaCollection for scans of the Q Magazine 'ICONS: The Greatest Music Stars of All time!' Special, which features a whole-page article on Madonna by Dan Gennoe and a great 1994 picture of Madonna by Steven Meisel. Madonna was voted 6th greatest music star. 09 December - Award for Me Against The Music Me Against The Music won an award for 'Hot Dance Sales Single of the Year' at the 2004 Billboard Music Awards. Britney Spears collected the award at the show, which was held yesterday evening at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Madonna didn't attend. 08 December - Madonna sacked manager because of Kabbalah *rumour* Madonna's devotion to the Kabbalah was behind her decision to fire her long-term manager Caresse Henry, after discovering Henry was having an affair with a bodyguard. The Like A Virgin singer was reportedly shocked that Henry, who had also converted to the mystical offshoot of Judaism, had broken one of the religion's strictest teachings - faithfulness. Henry had a partner back in America, while security man Ricky Dallanegra lived with his girlfriend in London. They have since become a couple after leaving their respective partners. Madonna sought the advice of her rabbi on the matter when she learned of the romance during this summer's (04) Re-Invention tour, before deciding to follow the Kabbalah practices and disown Henry. An insider tells British newspaper The Sun, "Madonna and Guy are deeply committed to their Kabbalah faith which preaches monogamy and faithfulness. It's ironic, because Madonna used to eat men for breakfast. Now's she's a married mother and Kabbalist, she believes cheating is a serious sin. "When she found out her manager was having an affair with her own bodyguard she was devastated. Madonna had a huge falling out with Caresse and said she couldn't possibly work with her any more." (source: ContactMusic) 07 December - Re-Invention corset on display in Paris The corset made by french designer Christian Lacroix and that Madonna wore during the American leg of her Re-Invention Tour will be one of the designer's creations to be exposed in Paris this month. Lacroix, who is also behind the lilac variation of the corset used during the European dates of her tour, is about to inaugurate the "Villa du Marais", a hotel made of 17 rooms showcasing some of his most impressive creations to date. Villa du Marais Rue de Poitou 75003 PARIS (source: Madonna.com) 04 December - More info on Versace photo shoot *rumour* Fansite MadonnaTribe has received the following information on the Versace photo shoot: "The one-day photo shooting did actually take place in two different locations. The first part happened in the early morning in a studio in Notthing Hill Gate while a second part was done the same day at 30 km outside London. All the images were shoot in indoor locations. One of the main sets of the photo session shows Madonna inside a contemporary office location, with a dominant white color and completed by technology furniture and accessories such as computers and modems. The entire session was done under a strict surveillance and nobody was allowed inside the set when the actual shooting was taking place. We've also got news about two of the dresses Madonna wears in the pictures, one of them being white and another being gold. Also a dress made of jeans was included. Madonna also wears a platinum blond wig in several images. We learned that the children were also present at the session and were also included in some of the pics, but we can't say if these pictures are going to be used for the campaign or will remain in Madonna, Donatella and Mario Testino's private collection. We also understand that certain pictures are not going to be featured in the campaign and might be used in the design of upcoming Madonna releases - just as like as it happened in the past with images from the previous Testino session which appeared in the artwork of the Something to Remember and GHV2 collections. On the sunny side, we've been told that some bath suites were proposed to Madonna but she didn't agree to take the pictures wearing them - the classy lady knows she's not a 16 years old top model and knows how to look stunning and charming with her clothes on. Donatella Versace is very happy with the result and we're sure it will be a blast." 03 December - Madonna likes a prayer Kabbalah queen Madonna halted a fashion shoot for half an hour so she could pray and meditate. The 46-year-old mum-of-two, who's an avid follower of the controversial branch of Jewish mysticism, took the time out during a photo session for Versace. According to US Weekly, she was overheard saying: "Rosh Chodesh for the moon in Sagittarius - it ushers in a period of good fortune." Nope, we have no idea what she's banging on about either, but it's hard to argue with her good fortune! What with her countless millions, film director husband and a near 20-year career, it sure beats lucky heather! According to insiders, she was paid £5.5million for the Versace campaign to advertise the glitzy label's spring collection. She's also been given free use of the Versace mansion in Milan and free clothes for two years. Despite that, the mag reports that Madonna "barked orders" throughout the session. Maybe she needs to meditate more! (source: The Mirror) 02 December - Madonna earns $10.3 million for Versace adverts Madonna has earned a staggering $10.3 million (GBP5.4 million) by starring in a series of adverts for fashion giant Versace. The Material Girl was recently photographed by Mario Testino for the campaign to promote Versace's Spring 2005 range - exactly 10 years after the pair first teamed up for a Versace campaign (95). And the clothing empire is so grateful to the singer, they have allegedly given her the use of the Versace mansion in Milan, Italy and free clothes for the next two years (06). (source: ContactMusic) 02 December - Madonna fears stalker execution Madonna has revealed she's terrified of being shot dead by a crazed stalker. The Queen of Pop has recently been targeted by a wealthy American man whose been plaguing her every move.Earlier this year, the star had to cancel three gigs in Israel after terrorists threatened to kill her. Madonna has reportedly become extrememly paranoid and is afraid she may be murdered like John Lennon. The Beatle was shot dead in Decembver 1980 in New York by obsessive fan Mark Chapman. A source told the Sun, Madge's latest stalker is becoming increasingly bold in his tactics to meet the Material Girl. He has acquired her personal e-mail address, attended every gig of her Re-Invention tour and knocked on the door of the London home she shares with hubby Guy Ritchie and children Rocco and Lourdes. "He is the worst stalker Madonna has ever encountered. It has reached a level where the police will have to be involved," the source said. (source: Sky News) 02 December - Madonna.com update Madonna.com has been updated with a beautiful picture of Madonna at the UK Hall of Fame on the front page. Among other news items, they report: "Madonna.com can confirm that Madonna is back in the studio today to record new music. Can't say what it is for just yet, but stay tuned to Madonna.com for more info." 02 December - Madonna is most popular female celebrity search Madonna is the number one Most Popular Female Celebrity searched on Google of October 2004! Check out Googles's Zeitgeist for the complete results. "For both breaking news and obscure information alike, people around the world search on Google. With a bit of analysis, this flurry of searches often exposes interesting trends, patterns, and surprises." (source: Madonna.com) 02 December - ICON #42 out now Johann from ICON announces that issue # 42 is now out. A picture of Madonna's Nobody Knows Me performance graces the cover. Here's what he says on the issue: Dear Friends, It's late but it's here! The new issue of Icon Magazine (#42) is now out. The shipment will begin this week so make sure to look for it in your favourite mailbox. This new issue is 100% devoted to the most talked about tour of the year, Madonna's Re-Invention tour! Included in this special issue are exclusive studio and live shots as well backstage ones, fan reviews, the tour's full chronology, a double sided poster, interviews with Steven Klein, choreographer Jamie King and much much more! Please note that we're already working on the next issue so don't be too surprised if you hear from us again in the next few weeks! Happy reading and talk to you very soon! xoxox Johann - Icon 01 December - Madonna urges press to understand her faith Pop superstar Madonna has urged the press to research the Kabbalah faith before attacking her passion for the mystic offshoot of Judaism. The Material Girl is furious about the barrage of criticism she's received for evangelising the controversial religion, and believes the media would be more supportive if they were less ignorant about Kabbalah, which is studied by celebrities including Britney Spears , Demi Moore and Paris Hilton. She complains, "Yes, it irritates me when the press criticise my beliefs. Because what I would really like is for people to do their research and try to understand what it is I'm trying to study and understand. "If they did that, then they'd have a completely different view. I wonder if they'd be less irritated if I was studying existentialism. Maybe they would." (source: ContactMusic) 01 December - Madonna: 'Don't call me Madge' Pop superstar Madonna has banned her director husband Guy Ritchie from using her British nickname, Madge. The Material Girl had never heard of the name until she moved to England and was horrified when the Snatch film-maker called her by it, because she "can't stand it". She complains, "Guy does not call me Madge. I can't stand that. I think fans call me Madge, and the press do. "The first time I heard that name was when I moved here. I've never met anyone called Madge. Is it cockney rhyming slang?" (source: ContactMusic) 01 December - Testino shoots Madonna in new Versace campaign The house of Versace has called in two favorite superstar pals for its latest advertising campaign. In a major break with recent seasons, Mario Testino shot Madonna last week in London for the label’s next women’s ad campaign, which will break in February 2005 issues of major magazines. The ads, shot in a London studio, represent a major change in style for the house, which for most of this century has used Steven Meisel to shoot its major publicity efforts. The move also signals a renewed burst of commitment from Donatella Versace, newly revitalized by her trip to substance rehabilitation clinic this summer. Earlier this month, Donatella was the fashion star in Hamburg at the Bambi awards, Germany’s most prestigious fashion prize. Looking super-trim, Versace shared a table at the gala dinner with former Chancellor Helmut Kohl. A spokesman for the house declined to make any comment on the new shoot. However, a source at the shoot confirmed that Madge and Donatella got on swimmingly in London. The combination is not unprecedented, as Versace used the duo of Madonna and Testino back in the mid-nineties. The decision to drop Meisel in favor of Testino is understood to have been inspired, in part, by concern that Meisel has become too much of a ubiquitous presence in fashion advertising. A perennial snapper of US Vogue covers, Meisel regularly shoots oodles of ad campaigns for the major houses. Versace declined any comment on the fees for the shoot, though word has it that Madonna is primarily interested in nabbing a new wardrobe from Donatella. (source: Fashion Wire Daily) Archive picture: Madonna is seen arriving at the Donatella Versace party held at La Cantine after the showing of the Versace Spring 2002 Couture Collection in Paris on January 20, 2002.

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