Madonna and Guy Ritchie have finally settled a court dispute over the custody of their 16-year-old son Rocco.
The singer and her ex-husband had reached an agreement, but did not reveal with which parent the teenager would live, a spokesman for the New York State court system said.
Guy Ritchie’s lawyer Peter Bronstein said Rocco would continue to live with his father in London.
The dispute arose in December when Rocco ignored a court order to fly back to live with his mother in New York.
Madonna will perform at this year’s Grammy awards on January 26
Rocco has since stayed with his father in London and enrolled in a school there.
Madonna’s lawyers have not commented on the settlement.
In December 2015, a judge ruled that Rocco should return to his mother.
However, the judge decided not to issue a warrant to enforce the order, urging Madonna and Guy Ritchie to reach an agreement.
New York State Supreme Court Justice Deborah Kaplan said: “No-one is disrupting his household other than the inability of the parents to reach a resolution.
“If they cannot resolve this matter then eventually the court will.”
In March, Ellen Sigal, Rocco’s court-appointed lawyer, said that the dispute was causing him stress.
“It’s been a very difficult time for him,” she said in court.
“We hope to put an end to this as soon as possible without exposing him to more litigation, press innuendo, any of that kind of thing.”
Madonna and Guy Ritchie married in 2000 and divorced in 2008.
Madonna’s collection of dresses and outfits has topped Julien’s celebrity auction in Beverly Hills raising $3.2 million.
The highest lot was a jacket from Desperately Seeking Susan, which fetched $252,000, while a gown from Madonna’s Material Girl video reached $73,125.
The auction also saw lots from Michael Jackson, Cher and The Beatles.
Madonna’s collection of dresses and outfits has topped Julien’s celebrity auction in Beverly Hills raising $3.2 million
A red sequined cape worn by James Brown sold for $41,600.
The wedding dress Madonna wore when she wed actor Sean Penn in 1985 sold for $81,250, while a dress she wore on her Who’s That Girl tour reached bids of $50,000.
Other lots which attracted the bidders were a pair of John Lennon’s spectacles which sold for $25,000 and a ring worn by Elvis Presley for $57,600.
Guitars from a host of rock greats formed part of the two-day sale including Prince’s Sign of the Times Love guitar and a 1940 Gibson J200 owned by Stephen Stills of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, which sold for $43,750.
Madonna has decided to introduce two members of Russian protest punk rock act Pussy Riot at a concert promoting human rights at the Barclays Center in New York City.
Madonna said she was “honored” to introduce “my fellow freedom fighters” Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova at the Amnesty event.
“I have admired their courage and have long supported their commitment and the sacrifices they have made,” the singer added.
Madonna will introduce two members of Pussy Riot at a concert promoting human rights at the Barclays Center
Maria (Masha) Alyokhina and Nadezhda (Nadya) Tolokonnikova were released in December after spending 16 months in prison.
They and Yekaterina Samutsevich were arrested in August 2012 for singing a protest song in a Moscow cathedral.
Amnesty International announced last week that “Masha” and “Nadya” would make an appearance at the concert on February 5.
It will form part of their first trip to New York since being granted amnesty by Russian President Vladimir Putin – a gesture the pair dismissed as a publicity stunt.
Lauryn Hill, Bob Geldof, Yoko Ono and Imagine Dragons are also on the bill of the Bringing Human Rights Home event at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Madonna will perform at this year’s Grammy awards on January 26, CBS network confirmed.
The network also said that Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong and Miranda Lambert – both nominated for Grammys this year – will perform a duet in tribute to Everly Brothers musician Phil Everly, who died earlier this year.
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and Juicy J have also been added to the performers’ slate, with Steve Coogan, Jeremy Renner.
Madonna will perform at this year’s Grammy awards on January 26
Julia Roberts and Charlie Wilson added to the presenters’ roster.
The newly announced performers join a slate that already included Sara Bareilles, Carole King, Daft Punk, Kendrick Lamar, Imagine Dragons, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stone Age, Robin Thicke and numerous others.
The 56th Annual Grammy Awards, hosted by LL Cool J, will take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, January 26.
Madonna has caused a stir after using a racial slur on her Instagram page.
The singer uploaded a snap of her son Rocco fighting in the boxing ring on Instagram on Friday alongside the caption: “No one messes with Dirty Soap! Mama said knock you out! #disn—–.”
After she was bombarded with complaints about use of the N-word from fans, Madonna deleted the image, only to re-upload it with another comment: “Ok let me start this again. #get off of my d— haters!”
Madonna uploaded a snap of her son Rocco fighting in the boxing ring on Instagram
Madonna later apologized in a statement, saying: “I am sorry if I offended anyone with my use of the N-word on Instagram. It was not meant as a racial slur…I am not a racist.”
The singer added: “There’s no way to defend the use of the word. It was all about intention…It was used as a term of endearment toward my son who is white. I appreciate that it’s a provocative word and I apologize if it gave people the wrong impression. Forgive me.”
Rocco is Madonna’s only child with ex-husband Guy Ritchie. She is also mum to teenage daughter Lourdes, from a previous relationship, and adopted kids Mercy and David.
Madonna tops Forbes magazine’s World’s Highest-Paid Musicians List in 2013 with $125 million, beating Lady Gaga.
Madonna, 55, made $125 million from June 2012 to June 2013, according to Forbes magazine.
The singer made her money through her MDNA world tour, merchandise sales, a clothing line and a brand of perfume.
Lady Gaga, 27, earned $80 million in the same period with Bon Jovi, Toby Keith and Coldplay in third, fourth and fifth spots.
She made most of her money though her Born This Way Ball tour before she injured her hip and cancelled the remaining dates.
Hip-hop artist Sean “Diddy” Combs is 11th on the list because of his vodka business while rapper and entrepreneur Jay-Z is in 18th spot.
DJs Calvin Harris and Tiesto are in 13th and 25th.
Madonna tops Forbes magazine’s World’s Highest-Paid Musicians List in 2013 with $125 million
Hip-hop artist Dr Dre topped Forbes‘ highest-paid musicians list last year but is down to 20th place this time.
The top 25 is put together by using data from Pollstar, the RIAA, Nielsen SoundScan, managers, lawyers and artists.
Concert ticket sales, royalties for recorded music and publishing, merchandise sales, endorsement deals and other business ventures are also taken into account.
Estimates reflect pre-tax income before fees for agents, managers and lawyers are deducted and ranges from 1 June 2012 to 1 June 2013.
Only living artists are eligible for the list.
Top 10 highest-paid musicians
Madonna – $125 million
Lady Gaga – $80 million
Bon Jovi – $79 million
Toby Keith – $65 million
Coldplay – $64 million
Justin Bieber – $58 million
Taylor Swift – $55 million
Elton John – $54 million
Beyonce – $53 million 9. Kenny Chesney – $53 million
Madonna was the world’s top-earning celebrity over the past year, trumping the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg.
Madonna, 55, made an estimated $125 million thanks to her MDNA tour, clothing and fragrance lines, according to Forbes Top-Earning Celebrities List 2013.
The magazine said it was the most money Madonna had made in a single year since it began tracking earnings in 1999.
Director Steven Spielberg was at number two with $100 million.
Madonna was the world’s top-earning celebrity over the past year, trumping the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg
Most of his earnings came from his back catalogue of film hits such as ET and Jurassic Park – which has just been released in 3D to mark its 20th anniversary – as well as last year’s Oscar winning Lincoln.
Steven Spielberg also takes a cut of all ticket sales at Universal Studios theme parks.
Third place was a three-way tie between 50 Shades of Grey author EL James, Simon Cowell and shock jock Howard Stern, with earnings of $95 million.
Thriller writer James Patterson follows with $91 million, while TV and radio host Glenn Beck earned $90 million.
Others in the top 10 included Transformers director Michael Bay ($82 million) producer Jerry Bruckheimer ($80 million) and pop star Lady Gaga ($80 million).
Forbes compiles its annual list of celebrity earnings using input from agents, managers, producers and others to calculate its estimates for each celebrity’s entertainment-related earnings.
The figures do not reflect tax deductions, agent fees or “the other expenses of being a celebrity”.
Madonna was keen to give fans and photographers a closer look at her gold grills as she paid a visit to the Hard Candy fitness studio in Rome on Wednesday.
While the unusual fashion accessory is a common feature in the mouths of younger stars like Justin Bieber and Rihanna, Madonna – who celebrated her 55th birthday last week – clearly puts no limit on what she can get away with.
Madonna was keen to give fans and photographers a closer look at her gold grills as she paid a visit to the Hard Candy fitness studio in Rome
Wearing a black mini-dress, black tights and those fingerless leather gloves she’s so fond of sporting, Madonna called in to the Colosseo gym for what amounted to a quick inspection, but all eyes were inspecting her mouth as she made her across the threshold.
The singer and actress let her hair down in France recently at the Menton music festival before celebrating son Rocco’s 13th birthday with a game of paintball that included young boyfriend Brahmin Zaibat and her teenage daughter, Lourdes.
Her own birthday fell on August 16, and Madonna celebrated by throwing a fancy dress party themed around the French Revolution.
Lady Gaga and Madonna could potentially be facing prosecution after Russian officials issued a statement saying the singers did not obtain appropriate visas to enter and perform in the country.
According to The Guardian, Madonna, who played there in August 2012, and Lady Gaga, who performed last December, arrived using cultural-exchange visas, which “do not grant their bearers the right to engage in any commercial activity”.
Lady Gaga and Madonna face prosecution after Russian as they did not obtain appropriate visas to enter and perform in the country
As a result, prosecutors are looking into possibly asking Russia’s foreign ministry or federal migration service to press charges.
The investigation has come about after Vitaly Milonov, the Russian politician who authored St. Petersburg’s law banning gay “propaganda,” brought the visa issue to the attention of authorities.
Following their 2012 shows, Vitaly Milonov tried – unsuccessfully – to take legal action against Madonna and Lady Gaga for speaking out in support of LGBT issues during their concerts.
Madonna was campaigning for female empowerment across the globe at the 2013 Sound Of Change concert, but fans seemed more fixated on her “swollen” face as she took to the stage at London’s Twickenham Stadium on Saturday night.
Within moments of Madonna appearing in front of a crowd of thousands, audience members took to Twitter to slam her somewhat puffy-faced look as she presented a segment of the charity gig.
Madonna’s look was all the more obvious thanks to her conservative ensemble, which saw her cover up from head to toe in a black high-necked sweater and matching trousers.
Wearing her honey blonde locks pulled back from her face, Madonna’s facial features were clear to see.
One fan wrote on Twitter: “Madonna, please stop messing with your face. It used to be a lovely face and now it’s looking weird.”
While one viewer stated: “Madonna looks absolutely ridiculous these days. Why on earth would anyone want to do THAT to their face?”
And although fans seemed thrilled to see Madonna, 54, support such a worthwhile cause, some admitted they were a little distracted by her puffy-faced appearance.
One wrote: “Brava Madonna at #Chime for speaking out (I’m trying not to be distracted by how much work she’s had on her face).”
While one viewer implored: “Madonna leave your face alone.”
Madonna swollen face at Sound Of Change 2013 concert
But it didn’t seem as though the star cared too much about her appearance as she received a rapturous applause from the packed-out stadium as she called on her fans to start a “revolution of love”.
Madonna said: “I keep telling people I want to start a revolution, but my revolution doesn’t involve bloodshed and violence. My revolution starts with education. My revolution is about achieving a higher level of consciousness, but this cannot start without education.
“We cannot change this world, nor begin to treat each other with human dignity, without an education. Let tonight be the beginning of this revolution because education is not a luxury, it is a basic human right.
“I invite you all to join my revolution of love. Join me tonight. The revolution of love starts here. I believe my girls out there deserve the best education. They deserve the best in health. And I believe in justice for my girls everywhere.”
Madonna has previously insisted she hasn’t undergone any cosmetic procedures, but would not rule it out in the future.
The star said: “I am what I am. And I don’t like the idea of someone putting you to sleep then taking knives to you.
“I am not going to hold a press conference if I have plastic surgery. But I’ve said many times, I think about it and I sure don’t rule it out.”
The Sound Of Change concert was part of Gucci’s new global campaign for girls’ and women’s empowerment, and is being broadcast across six continents to over 150 countries, with more than one billion people expected to see it in total.
The charity has put on the concert in conjunction with the Chime For Change initiative, which aims to raise awareness of education, health and justice for women everywhere.
Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez and Rita Ora were among the stars taking to the stage to perform for at the star-studded event, while the likes of Blake Lively, Jessica Chastain and Ryan Reynolds presented segments of the gig.
Madonna might not be allowed to visit Russia again anytime soon after officials ruled the singer violated the terms of her visa during last trip to Moscow and St Petersburg.
According to Russian daily Izvestia, the nation’s foreign ministry has ruled Madonna failed to get a work permit that would have allowed her for-profit shows in Moscow and St. Petersburg last summer.
That, in turn, might make it harder for her to get back into the country later.
Madonna’s visa reportedly limited her trip to “cultural ties,” as quoted by The Moscow News.
Madonna might not be allowed to visit Russia again anytime soon after officials ruled the singer violated the terms of her visa
The Russian Foreign Ministry is quoted as saying in a statement: “If a foreign national’s activity in Russia is aimed at making a profit, including through commercial performances, the said national must receive a work permit from the Federal Migration Service, and therefore must be issued a normal work visa, with the purpose of the visit stated as work for hire.”
Foreign Ministry officials were asked to look into Madonna’s visa situation by St. Petersburg lawmaker Vitaly Milonov, who tells Russian newspaper Izvestia: “Those who applied for a visa for Louise Ciccone [Madonna] face a fine of 500,000 rubles [$15,885.00]. It has to be determined whether [Madonna] filed the documents herself.”
“The question of the legality of Madonna’s visit to our country will also come up, and next time it will be a lot more difficult to get a visa.”
Vitaly Milonov had challenged whether Madonna’s visit was legal after she advocated gay rights and defended jailed feminist punk group Pussy Riot.
A lawsuit by anti-gay groups claiming Madonna broke Vitaly Milonov’s law was dismissed by a Russian judge last November.
Now, Vitaly Milonov reportedly wants to see Madonna fined $16.7 million. Last December he also accused Lady Gaga of breaking the law at her St. Petersburg concert.
Malawi’s President Joyce Banda was reportedly “incandescent with anger” over her office statement labeling Madonna a bully.
Joyce Banda said she was unaware of the critical statement that was issued by her office following Madonna’s recent visit to Malawi, senior officials have said.
The statement accused Madonna of exaggerating her contribution to Malawi and demanding VIP treatment.
Madonna, who was visiting her charity in Malawi, hit back at the criticisms.
The singer described them as lies and said she began her involvement in Malawi seven years ago “with honorable intentions”.
Malawi’s President Joyce Banda was reportedly incandescent with anger over her office statement labeling Madonna a bully
The statement, issued on Wednesday, accused Madonna of wanting Malawi “to be forever chained to the obligation of gratitude”.
It claimed Madonna believed the government should have “rolled out a red carpet and blast the 21-gun salute” upon her arrival in Malawi.
The statement also accused the star telling “the whole world that she is building schools in Malawi when she has actually only contributed to the construction of classrooms”.
Emily Banda, head of Malawi’s NGO board, said that although President Joyce Banda “did not approve” or indeed know about the statement, there would be no apology for the mistake.
Some of the criticism of Madonna’s charity work was justified, she said.
In response to the statement, Madonna’s charity Raising Malawi said that she “did not ever ask or demand special treatment at the airport or elsewhere” during her visit and would not “be distracted or discouraged by other people’s political agendas”.
Madonna said in the statement that she saw “with my own eyes the 10 new primary schools in Kasungu province that Raising Malawi… completed this year,” during her recent visit.
Malawi is accusing Madonna of “bullying state officials” after the singer reportedly complained about her treatment on a recent visit to the country.
Madonna – who has adopted two Malawian-born children – recently visited 10 primary schools funded by her charity.
Malawi’s government accused Madonna of exaggerating her contribution to the country and demanding VIP treatment.
Malawi is accusing Madonna of bullying state officials after she complained about her treatment on a recent visit to the country
The singer’s manager accused Malawi’s government of having a “grudge” against her charity, Raising Malawi.
Trevor Neilson also accused the government of financial mismanagement of school project funds, and of “harassing organizations that Raising Malawi has donated to”.
Madonna was said to have been angered that she and her entourage were stripped of their VIP status on their way out of the country, the Daily Telegraphreported.
They had to line up with other passengers at the airport and were frisked by security officials, the report said.
The change in status was said to be the result of a public spat about her charitable work in Malawi.
A harshly-worded statement issued by the office of President Joyce Banda on Wednesday accused Madonna of wanting Malawi “to be forever chained to the obligation of gratitude”.
“Granted, Madonna is a famed international musician. But that does not impose an injunction of obligation on any government under whose territory Madonna finds herself, including Malawi, to give her state treatment. Such treatment, even if she deserved it, is discretionary not obligatory,” said the statement.
The statement accused Madonna of being “a musician who desperately thinks she must generate recognition by bullying state officials instead of playing decent music on the stage”.
It added: “Among the many things that Madonna needs to learn as a matter of urgency is the decency of telling the truth.
“For her to tell the whole world that she is building schools in Malawi when she has actually only contributed to the construction of classrooms is not compatible with manners of someone who thinks she deserves to be revered with state grandeur.”
Trevor Neilson said buildOn, the non-profit group that partnered with Raising Malawi to construct the schools, was “mystified” by the claims about school buildings.
“They went through every step of every process required to build a school in Malawi, and the schools were built in the model of schools all across the country,” he said.
Adding: “Madonna is the largest individual philanthropist in Malawi. We will continue to fund programmes that support children in Malawi.”
Madonna has been named the highest-paid musician in 2012 by trade publication Billboard, beating Bruce Springsteen and Pink Floyd founder Roger Waters.
Madonna, 54, has topped the annual rundown of the top money-makers for the second time in five years.
The singer’s 88-date MDNA world tour, 2012’s most successful, helped her take home $34.6 million, Billboard said.
Concerts account for 68.9% of the total revenues for the 40 artists on the list, which estimates annual earnings.
According to the figures, compiled using Boxscore concert data and Nielsen SoundScan sales information, Bruce Springsteen came a close second.
Bruce Springsteen earned $33.4 million after touring to sold-out stadiums and arenas on the back of his number one album Wrecking Ball.
Strong merchandise sales helped with his earnings, with Bruce Springsteen’s live shows making up 92% of his overall revenue.
Roger Waters came third with earnings from his large scale The Wall Live tour estimated at $21 million.
Van Halen were in fourth position with $20 million after touring in support of their album A Different Kind of Truth.
Speaking about the list, Billboard editorial analyst Glenn Peoples said the most money “always comes from high-paying live performances”.
He said: “Ironically, the most popular touring artists are usually well past their peaks on the album sales charts.”
The rest of the top 10 included country music veteran Kenny Chesney in fifth, followed by the Dave Matthews Band, country’s Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean, and British band Coldplay.
Madonna has been named the highest-paid musician in 2012 by trade publication Billboard
Canadian teen star Justin Bieber completed the top 10, earning up to $16 million, of which $10 million came from his sold-out Believe tour.
“The entire top 10 averaged 84.2% of their income from concerts, and the number would have been higher, if not for Justin Bieber’s mere 60.1% share at number 10 dragging down the average,” said Glenn Peoples.
Madonna is the only woman in the top 10 after last year’s victor Taylor Swift fell to 15th place because she did not tour last year.
Taylor Swift still did well, earning $12.7 million from more than three million digital albums and 15.6 million digital songs.
Meanwhile, Adele, who had the biggest-selling album of the year in the US in 2011 and 2012, came in 11th place, earning $14 million.
Adele did not tour last year but took the year out to have a baby while her second album 21 continued to sell well in physical and digital formats.
Beyoncé’s half-time performance at this year Super Bowl failed to pull in more viewers than Madonna’s record breaking 2012 appearance.
In fact, fewer people watched Sunday night’s thrilling Super Bowl than the previous two championship games, according to figures released on Tuesday.
Although Beyoncé, who prepared for five months for the hotly anticipated gig, reunited Destiny’s Child and sung live, viewing figures showed the 31-year-old was watched by 104 million viewers, compared to Madonna’s audience of 112.5 million.
Nielsen, a company that tracks the ratings, reported the actual game drew 108.4 million viewers, which is a drop from last season’s tally of 111.3 million viewers.
Madonna’s performance in 2012, which sparked controversy after M.I.A swore at cameras, was criticized on Twitter but its lavish nature – the slot featured CeeLo Green, Nicki Minaj and LMFAO – meant the show was certainly noticed.
Nearly half of all households that own a television were tuned into Sunday’s game, the company added.
The showdown, where the Baltimore Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers, scored a 46.3 rating and 69 share in its overnight ratings.
For the Nielsen measurement, one ratings point represents 1,147,000 households, or 1 percent of the nation’s estimated 114.7 million TV homes.
The share means that 71% of TVs that were on at the time were tuned to the Super Bowl.
At CBS’ request the ratings figure from Sunday night did not include a 30-minute period when there was a partial power outage in the Superdome.
But viewership actually increased after the power outage, as the game measured a 52.9 rating during its final moments, CBS noted.
Beyoncé’s half-time performance at this year Super Bowl failed to pull in more viewers than Madonna’s record breaking 2012 appearance
Not surprisingly, Baltimore ranked first among cities watching the championship game.
The game drew a 59.6 rating and share of 83 there.
In second place was New Orleans, where the game was played. The contest drew a 57.1 rating and a 77 share.
San Francisco did not rank in the top 10 cities for viewership.
The network also drew criticism by the Parents Television Council for not moving quickly enough to edit out a profanity said by Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco shortly after the game.
Joe Flacco was caught by microphones describing his team’s victory as “f****** awesome”.
The game also illustrated the explosive growth of second screen activity.
The company Trendrr TV, which tracks activity on Twitter, Facebook and other social networks, estimated there were 47.7 million social media posts during the game.
That compares to 17 million during the 2012 Super Bowl and just 3 million the year before that.
Last year’s Super Bowl, when the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots, drew a Nielsen rating of 47.8 and had a share of 71.
The only non-Super Bowl to have reached the 100-million viewer benchmark was the series finale of MASH in 1983.
Madonna continued her quest to conquer the slopes while on a family holiday in the mountains of Gstaad, Switzerland on Saturday.
Madonna, 54, has been celebrating the new year on the slopes with her children and her Brazilian boyfriend Brahim Zaibat and has been getting quite a bit of action on her skis.
But she started off her week on a bad foot, spending the majority of time on her bum as she lost balance while skiing with her 25-year-old boyfriend.
On Saturday Madonna’s skiing skills appear to have improved as she’s been taking lessons and was joined by a male companion who could have been her instructor.
Madonna has been celebrating the new year on the slopes with her children and her Brazilian boyfriend Brahim Zaibat and has been getting quite a bit of action on her skis
Madonna kept a low profile in an all black ensemble, matching her male companion.
And aside from keeping her upright, his duties also included helping Madonna in and out of her snow equipment.
Brahim Zaibat and Madonna’s 12-year-old son Rocco took a break from the skis, opting instead to slip on snowboards with their friends.
Madonna’s daughter Lourdes, 16, was also out on the mountain on Friday cutting a much more confident figure as she rode her snowboard, but wasn’t spotted on the slopes on Saturday.
Madonna’s younger children, David and Mercy, also took a break from the cold after spending the week taking private lessons.
The young brood have been naturals, excelling at both snowboarding and skiing on their holiday jaunt.
It seems the family are fans of the resort and spent time in the town last January.
Madonna unveiled a huge Obama temporary tattoo on her back during last night concert in New York.
Madonna, 54, made the unmissable statement during her MDNA Tour at New York’s Yankee Stadium.
Clad only in a back-baring bra and trousers she turned her muscly back on the audience, all the better to show off the writing.
Despite turning 54 last month there was no rest for Madonna during her high-kicking concert.
At one point the singer was joined on the stage by her bare-chested younger boyfriend Brahim Zaibat. She and the 24-year-old have been dating for two years.
Madonna unveiled a huge Obama temporary tattoo on her back during last night concert in New York
Madonna has made her left-wing leanings increasingly clear in recent months, with her endorsement of President Barack Obama the latest in a long line of political statements.
The mother-of-four was branded a “moralizing slut” by Russia’s deputy prime minister after scrawling Pussy Riot on her back at her concert last month.
Madonna was making a statement about the jailing of the Russian punk band for an anti-Putin protest in a Moscow cathedral.
She then angered the Russians further by making a stand for gay rights at her St Petersburg concert
On that occasion she stomped on an Orthodox cross and asked fans to raise their hands to show pink armbands which had been distributed in support of gays and lesbians.
And in July the pop star was forced to make a public apology to France’s far-right nationalist leader Marine Le Pen after depicting the politician with a swastika across her forehead.
The leader of the National Front had said she would sue the pop queen for associating her with Adolf Hitler’s Nazis.
In an eccentric performance in front of 2,500 fans in Paris, Madonna said: “I know that I have made a certain Marine Le Pen very angry with me. It’s not my intention to make enemies.”
Lady Gaga’s debut fragrance Fame, which contains notes of blood and semen, has become the number one best-selling women’s fragrance at Superdrug, in UK, just a week after hitting the shelves.
Advanced fragrance technology means that the dramatic looking black liquid turns clear as soon as it is sprayed in to the air, and the bottle is pure Lady Gaga: black and gold featuring gilded monster claws.
This unique perfume concept has translated in to ringing tills for team Lady Gaga, the £23.99 ($37.5) perfume has already sold more than both Beyonce and Madonna’s fragrances did in their first week of launch.
Lady Gaga’s debut fragrance Fame has become the number one best-selling women’s fragrance at Superdrug just a week after hitting the shelves
Sara Wolverson, Superdrug beauty director said: “Lady Gaga is a true original and she has brought something completely new to the fragrance market.
“While initial reports promised slightly scary fragrance notes the actual perfume is sophisticated, floral, addictive, moreish and sexy which paired with the black liquid and dramatic styling is truly original.
“We knew Lady Gaga would be popular but have been astounded by the rush to be the first to buy the fragrance.”
In her perfume campaign, Lady Gaga is seen reclining with an arm behind her head, while holding the perfume in her other hand.
Scantily clad men – who have been shrunk to miniature size – are strategically placed over her body to save her blushes.
Renato Semerari, president of Coty Beauty, said: “She is an artist that is never satisfied with the status quo – she always has this way of challenging everybody and trying to do something more, something different.”
Madonna has appealed for the release of three members of the Russian punk band Pussy Riot during her MDNA show in Moscow.
Madonna told a crowd at the Olympic Stadium on Tuesday night that she was praying for the women’s freedom.
She briefly wore a balaclava – in a nod to Pussy Riot’s trademark outfits – and had the group’s name on her back.
Prosecutors have called for the women, who are accused of inciting religious hatred, to be jailed for three years.
The judge is expected to start delivering her verdict on 17 August. Announcing the verdict could take days, correspondents say.
Madonna has appealed for the release of three members of the Russian punk band Pussy Riot during her MDNA show in Moscow
Maria Alyokhina, 24, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 29, played a song attacking Russian leader Vladimir Putin in front of the altar of Moscow’s main cathedral on 21 February.
They said it was a reaction to the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, publicly backing Vladimir Putin in elections.
Addressing cheering fans at the stadium, Madonna said: “I know there are many sides to every story, and I mean no disrespect to the church or the government, but I think that these three girls – Masha, Katya, Nadya – I think that they have done something courageous.”
“I know that everyone in this auditorium, if you are here as my fan, feels they have the right to be free,” she said.
Other international musicians including Sting and the Red Hot Chili Peppers have also appealed for leniency.
Artist Yoko Ono has spoken out in support of the band.
In a Twitter post, John Lennon’s widow said: “Mr. Putin you are a wise man & don’t need to fight with musicians & their friends.”
In a closing statement to the court on Wednesday, Pussy Riot’s lead singer, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, said the court was carrying out a Stalin-era “political order for repression”.
She said that the authorities had refused to listen to the group, and that it was “not a trial over Pussy Riot but of the entire Russian political system”.
The three women have been sitting inside a glass cage at the courtroom.
Last week, Vladimir Putin, who was re-elected president in March, called for leniency towards the women during a visit to London for the Olympic Games.
There are fears among Russian opposition activists that the trial is part of a crackdown on dissent since Vladimir Putin’s return to the Kremlin, following the biggest anti-government protests in recent Russian history.
Pussy Riot’s performance inside Christ the Saviour Cathedral was captured on video.
The women danced and sang a song which parodies a Christian prayer, imploring the Virgin Mary to rid Russia of Vladimir Putin.
Defence lawyer Mark Feygin argued on Tuesday that the case against the women did not stand up because they had been charged with hooliganism under Article 213 of the Russian penal code yet no violence or damage had occurred or been threatened.
Madonna has said the angry reaction from a crowd at her recent 45-minute Olympia show in Paris was from “thugs who were not my fans”.
“Playing the Olympia was a magical moment for me,” Madonna said in a statement on her website.
“Unfortunately at the end of the show, after I left the stage, a few thugs who were not my fans rushed the stage… pretending to be angry fans,” the singer added.
Some fans on Twitter agreed with Madonna but others said they had booed her.
One said: “I have been a fan for 20 years and I booed Madonna at the Olympia! 45 minutes for 275 euros. Shame on you.”
Madonna has said the angry reaction from a crowd at her recent 45-minute Olympia show in Paris was from "thugs who were not my fans
Another tweeted: “Madonna has blamed <<rogues>> attending her concert at the Olympia without understanding that her fans feel cheated.”
Media website The Examiner said “many fans did feel short-changed due to lack of communication on how the show would be shorter”.
But it suggested that “the actual riots and the screaming were started by supporters of Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far right National Front in Paris. Apparently, they are still upset that Madonna compared Le Pen to a Nazi in her tour.”
The 2,000 tickets sold out in minutes, with fans paying between $125-$315 and some reportedly changing hands for up to $1,600.
Paris resident Allain Zambrana, 26, from Nicaragua, said he wanted to ask for his money back.
“I felt very frustrated because I camped out on the streets and then the show just ends like that.”
Several people cried “refund” as they realized Madonna had left the stage for good.
Dutch fan Ellis Van Zoen, 22, agreed the show was “very short”, but added: “I’m torn – I thought it was a fantastic show and it was special. I don’t want to see fans yelling at her but I can understand why.”
Other fans vented their frustration on a Facebook page owned by the star’s publicist, Liz Rosenburg.
“Some people slept in the streets for 48 hours. So what happened with the concert?” asked Rudy Vanhover.
“She was incredible but we were all shocked by the departure and the duration of the concert.”
Others were more supportive.
“It was an amazing experience to be part of this wonderful show,” commented Christopher Houthaeve.
“I purchased the category 1 ticket and have absolutely no regrets.”
Madonna said the “thugs” threw plastic bottles at the stage and that “the press reports have focused on this and not the joyous aspect of the evening”.
“But nothing can take away or ruin this very special evening for me and my fans. When I looked out in the audience, everyone I saw had a smile on their face. I look forward to having this wonderful experience again.”
At her concert in Vienna on Sunday, Madonna told the crowd: “Those people were not my fans, they were not there to support me.
“But that’s ok because wherever there is darkness, I’m going to bring you some light… we’re not going to let them spoil our fun, are we?”
Madonna’s assistant was spotted this week carrying a bulky contraption out of the Ritz Hotel in Paris, and he inadvertently revealed the superstar’s latest weapon in her anti-aging arsenal.
It’s Oxygen. Or more specifically $14,200 worth of Oxygen – an Intraceuticals Oxygen machine.
Previously, Madonna confessed to having one of these pricey machines in every one of her six homes, but now it looks like she literally won’t leave home without one.
The machine, normally found at high end facialists, promises to hydrate, lift and tighten, and improve the appearance of the skin.
It’s a Super Facial, a Facial on Acid, literally – and it promises a glow like nothing else.
So what does it do?
Developed in Australia, it’s a three-step process to get the best vitamins possible deep into the skin.
It’s known as hyaluronic layering – a non-invasive process that uses hyaluronic acid which plumps and hydrates the skin and helps make fine lines and saggy skin go away.
Using what looks like an airbrush, a therapist uses cooling, pressurized oxygen to deliver a vitamin-rich serum.
Intraceuticals Oxygen machine
Next, a hydration gel is applied that prevents moisture loss. Finally, a binding cream is applied that provides a layer of intense hydration.
The combination literally pushes the good stuff under the skin. It’s “No-tox” – a Botox effect without the botulism.
Naturally Madonna is interested.
Right or wrong, her tenacious determination to refuse to age gracefully is something to behold – she’s fighting it every step of the way.
While her dedication to workouts and macrobiotic diets is the stuff of legends, that’s just the beginning.
Madonna raised eyebrows (and perhaps a bit more) when she brought along Botoxer to the stars Dr. Frederic Brandt along on her last worldwide tour.
The superstar is rumored to be looking into a procedure to “freshen” her aging hands, and has been pictured with what looked like the remains of a very new thread lift peeking out from a noticeably tighter jawline.
In fairness, Madonna has never denied getting a bit of extra help, only admitted a reluctance to talking about it.
And where Madonna goes, others follow.
Thanks to HD cameras and the ever-present paparazzi, intraceuticals have developed a cult following in LA.
These machines were regularly used on the set of Desperate Housewives and Sex and the City.
Uma Thurman, Rachel Zoe and Renee Zelwegger are just a few names who won’t get on a red carpet without them.
Even producers for music videos featuring celebrities like Katy Perry have claimed that they saved them thousands of dollars in retouching costs because the star’s skin looked so much better.
Madonna’s facialist, LA based Michelle Peck, says that the reason it works is that the O2 Intraceutical System delivers a potent combo of oxygen and hyaluronic acid at the lowest molecular weight possible, which means that the serum is easily absorbed through the skin pores and directly into the tissue.
The more oxygen and serum absorbed, the better the facial.
We tried one out with London-based facialist and celebrity secret Linda Meredith, who has been giving Madonna these facials for years.
Tucked behind Harrods on Beauchamp place, her salon is filled with thank you notes from Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham and Stella McCartney to name just a few.
The oxygen felt cool and soothing and unlike other facials, where you often leave with red and angry looking skin, we emerged glowing immediately.
It’s just fresh streams of oxygen and serum sprayed gently onto your face.
The results are instant. There’s a reason it’s often called “the red carpet facial” because you are red carpet ready immediately.
Prices start at around $157, Lindameredith.com.
In New York, try the Red and White Spa in Soho (Redandwhitespa.com, priced at $150)
In LA, Westside Aesthetics is running a summer special for $140, Westsidemedicalspa.com.
Madonna fans vented their anger after the singer ended a special intimate show at Paris Olympia after just 45 minutes.
Madonna said she had “a special affinity with France” as she opened the last minute concert, but drew boos from many disappointed fans.
Some had camped outside the Olympia club since Wednesday in anticipation of the show.
The 2,000 tickets sold out in minutes, with fans paying between $125-$320 and some changing hands for up to $1,600.
Madonna was also criticized for talking about politics instead of singing, after revealing she had a message for France’s extreme right-wing leader Marine Le Pen.
France’s National Front is threatening to sue the star for using an image of Marine Le Pen with a swastika superimposed on her forehead at a concert earlier this month.
Madonna fans vented their anger after the singer ended a special intimate show at Paris Olympia after just 45 minutes
“I know that I have made a certain Marine Le Pen very angry with me,” Madonna told fans.
“It’s not my intention to make enemies. It’s my intention to promote tolerance,” she continued.
Afterwards 33-year-old Guillaume Delaval complained: “She spoke for 15 minutes about tolerance, it’s not the UN here.”
Paris resident Allain Zambrana, 26, from Nicaragua, said he wanted to ask for his money back.
“I felt very frustrated because I camped out on the streets and then the show just ends like that.”
Several fans cried “refund!” as they realized Madonna had left the stage for good, with some audience members taking to Twitter to complain.
“We are singing <<shame on you>>,” explained Pierre from Belgium.
“Because she says she loves her fans but then she does this.”
Dutch fan Ellis Van Zoen, 22, agreed the show was “very short”, but added: “I’m torn – I thought it was a fantastic show and it was special. I don’t want to see fans yelling at her but I can understand why.”
Madonna also offered veiled criticism of the party’s anti-immigrant stance, as she paid homage to a France which she said had once “opened its arms to minorities”.
“We are entering some very scary times in the world,” she told the crowd.
“People are afraid, and what happens when people are afraid? They say <<get out! You’re the reason. You’re the problem. You’re to blame>>.”
Madonna, 53, who performed in an array of outfits including a black leather pencil skirt and French beret, also paid tribute to several French artists.
The event was also streamed live on YouTube, where separate footage showed fans chanting and booing while throwing empty bottles and cups onto the stage after the singer had left.
Madonna is due to perform in France again on 21 August, in Nice.
Madonna has spoken about an image used during her current MDNA tour which showed a swastika imposed onto the face of French politician Marine Le Pen.
The controversial symbol was included in a video accompanying the song Nobody Knows Me, as she performed in Paris.
It showed the face of Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s National Front party, with a swastika on her forehead.
Interviewed for a Brazilian TV channel, Madonna said all images used were chosen “purposefully”.
“That film that was created is about the intolerance that we human beings have for one another and how much we judge people before knowing them,” she said.
Madonna has spoken about an image used during her current MDNA tour which showed a swastika imposed onto the face of French politician Marine Le Pen
France’s National Front party (FN) said it planned to sue the US singer following the use of the image at her concert in the Stade de France on 14 July.
The video had already appeared earlier in Madonna’s 30-nation MDNA world tour, sparking a warning from Marine Le Pen that she was considering legal action.
FN vice-president Florian Philippot said the party could not accept “such an odious comparison”.
But Madonna refused to edit the video and, speaking before her concert in Brazil, the singer said “all images in the video were chosen purposefully”.
“There seems to be a growing intolerance around the world. In Greece, France, everywhere people are trying to kick out all the immigrants, make people cover up and not show what their religious affiliation is.”
“Think about what’s going on in Russia towards the gay community,” she said.
“I’m calling attention to that intolerance and asking people to pay attention, to wake up to see how we are just creating more chaos in the world.”
Displaying the swastika image has not been the only controversy on Madonna’s MDNA tour.
During her show in Edinburgh on 21 July, Madonna defied warnings not to brandish a gun during her performance following the recent shootings at a cinema screening of Batman in Colorado.
Madonna said she believed it is an artist’s responsibility to call attention to world events “and to help bring people together”.
“Art is there to track what’s going on in the world, to make social commentary,” she said.
French far-right National Front is to sue Madonna after an image at the singer’s concert in Paris showed party leader Marine Le Pen with a swastika imposed on her face.
National Front vice-president Florian Philippot said the party could not accept “such an odious comparison”.
The image, in a video accompanying the song Nobody Knows Me, was followed by another resembling Adolf Hitler.
Madonna was performing at the Stade de France in a Paris suburb on Saturday.
National Front is to sue Madonna after showing Marine Le Pen with a swastika during her concert in Paris
Florian Philippot said the lawsuit would be filed this week.
The video had already appeared earlier in Madonna’s 30-nation MDNA world tour, sparking a warning from Marine Le Pen that she was considering legal action.
Florian Philippot said: “This is just another provocation in Madonna’s world tour so that people will talk about her.
“Marine Le Pen will defend not only her own honor but her supporters and the millions of National Front voters.”
Marine Le Pen won 18% of the vote in the first round of France’s presidential election and has tried to remove extremist elements and crack down on anti-Semitism.
However, the National Front won only two seats in the 577-member National Assembly in last month’s general election.
Madonna is due to perform in France again on 21 August, in Nice.
This website has updated its privacy policy in compliance with EU GDPR 2016/679. Please read this to review the updates about which personal data we collect on our site. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our updated policy. AcceptRejectRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
