Tonight's edition of London newspaper the Evening Standard features a venue guide for those fans going to the concert on Saturday. The newspaper's listings guide Metrolife also features Madonna on the front cover. Click to enlarge.

 

Here's a look at what the lucky winners of the London Live 8 tickets will have received and the cover of the leaflet that came with them.

 

The new issue of UK magazine heat features Madonna as part of the cover of it's TV listings guide and also gives a good round up of the UK TV schedules for the day.

 

Visit fellow fansite www.madonna-tv.com to download video footage shot during Madonna's Lotsa de Casha promotional appearences in New York City.

Fellow fansite MadonnaTribe have reported that during Madonna's performance on Saturday she will use video backdrops from the Re-Invention for Like A Prayer and Music and the Drowned World tour video backdrop for Ray Of Light.

Madonna was snapped cycling in London late last Friday night - please visit M.Nu for larger versions of these pictures.

Giving away free tickets for a charity concert makes little sense, especially when raising awareness isn't nearly as beneficial as raising funds.
Live 8 has just announced it's teaming up with music giant EMI for a worldwide deal for the Live 8 performances happening on July 2. According to the agreement, EMI will provide a large financial contribution to the Live 8 organization in exchange for the worldwide DVD rights to its concerts in the UK, Canada, US, France, Germany and Italy.
The concerts include performances by Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi, Coldplay, Sheryl Crow, Deep Purple, Dido, Green Day, Jay-Z, Elton John, Annie Lennox, Linkin Park, Madonna, Maroon 5, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, REM, Scissor Sisters, Sting, Joss Stone, U2, Keith Urban, Velvet Revolver, Robbie Williams, Brian Wilson and Stevie Wonder.
'We are very grateful to EMI for their financial contribution which helped to make the July 2nd concerts happen everywhere on the planet and thus nudge the world a little closer towards our shared aim,' said Bob Geldof. 'I hope this will be the biggest selling DVD of all time. It deserves to be.'
Geldof isn't the only one excited. EMI Music Canada President Deane Cameron is just as keen. 'On its own, the Toronto area show already boasts an astonishing line-up of artists,' he said.

The latest issue of World Of Interiors talks to photographer Tim Walker and at the end of the feature they mention his next projects which include:

Tim is off now to meet Madonna to discuss him photographing Ashcombe House - Madonna's country house in Wilshire - for American Vogue.

Madonna's official website www.madonna.com have updated the main page again to celebrate Madonna's upcoming performance at Live 8 this Saturday and to remind fans of her performance at Live Aid in 1985.

Madonna plays a game called 'disco tag' with her kids in order to tire them out before bedtime.
The pop superstar insists the night-time playtime helps her children Rocco and Lourdes get rid of any extra energy so they'll sleep soundly.
She says, 'It's a fun game. There's a whole performance involved, and you dance, and you're supposed to fake the other person out that you're not interested in tagging them by dancing.'
'We all play - I play, my husband, the nanny....My son uses all his adrenaline and then passes out. That's a good night.'

Sir Bob Geldof announced that 55,000 extra tickets would be made available for people to watch Live 8 on big screens in Hyde Park, details on how to get these tickets were published in tonight's edition of London newspaper the Evening Standard.

These tickets are only available to pick up in person and will not gain you access to the main arena.

UK newspapers are continuing their build-up coverage to this Saturday's Live 8 concerts. The Daily Mirror talks about the fact that each act will only be given a slot of 15 minutes and that the stage is on a turntable....so if they go over their time they may be spun off stage!

The Evening Standard talks about the 55,000 extra tickets that are being allocated for another enclosure in Hyde Park for fans to watch the event on a large screen.

   

The press and media build-up to next Saturday's Live 8 concerts has begun, today's edition of UK newspaper The Sunday Times mentions that Madonna had been rehearsing for a duet with Sting but that was not happening now:

Madonna had been rehearsing a duet with Sting, Geldof said, but the planned performance has since been dropped. Instead Sting is believed to be using Spitting Image-style puppets of Tony Blair, George Bush and other world leaders for a rendition of the Police song Every Breath You Take — with the words changed to 'We’ll be watching you'.

A picture of Madonna is also used to advertise the event in today's Sunday Express detailing the UK TV coverage of the event on the BBC.

The latest edition of German magazine Neue Revue has an article on why Madonna says she now regrets her sexy scandalous past. Click on the images to enlarge.

 

UK newspaper The Sun reports that Madonna will be singing on-stage with a choir of African children during her Live 8 performance.

Paris One, a non-profit making association aiming at promoting amateur remixers and deejays through netcasts of their musical performances are holding a Madonna Special on the weekend of 02 and 03 July.

On this weekend, one-hour sets consisting of official 'night-club' remixes will be played by many of the radio's resident deejays for Paris One's audience.
Yet another large part of this weekend will be dedicated to 'non-official' remixes and bootlegs devised by amateur remixers.

You can listen to Paris One 24hours/day 7days/week at www.paris-one.com

The latest issues of German magazines Neue Post and Frau Im Spiegel feature articles and pictures from Madonna's New York City book reading of Lotsa de Casha earlier this month. Click on the images to enlarge.

Madonna's long-time backing singer Donna De Lory is heading to London to begin rehearsals this coming week for Live 8 with Madonna. Donna De Lory's Official DreamTeam at www.donnadelory.net first broke this news:

Donna will head London this weekend where she be will accompanying Madonna at this years Live 8 benefit concert in London's Hyde Park! After she spends a week in rehearsals, she will hit the stage with Madonna on July 2nd to put on what is sure to be a spectacular show!
Other artists taking to the stage during this benefit are: Sting, U2, Annie Lennox, Coldplay, Dido, Sir Elton John, Keane, Mariah Carey, REM, Robbie Williams, Travis, and many more.
Stay tuned for more info, as well as an exclusive posting from Donna while she is in London!

The Madonna/Steven Klein collaboration X-STaTIC PRO=CeSS is now on show at the Gallery Hotel Art and Galleria Brancolini Grimaldi in Florence, Italy.

Fellow fansite MadonnaTribe have already reported back from the exhibition:
There are nine photographs on display: six are from the original 'X-STaTIC PRo=CeSS' series, three are from the 'Chair' session shot during the general rehearsals of Madonna’s reInvention Tour. Together with the pictures there are also five videos, including 'disposition 4 and 9', the same footage presented at the Camera Work in Berlin that was used as backdrop video for the performance of Vogue during the reInvention Tour.

Superstar Madonna is amazed by the media attention in recent years surrounding the controversial Kabbalah following, saying the press ignored it for years during her initial years of studying.
The Material Girl began studying the mystical offshoot of Judaism in 1996, when she was pregnant with her first child Lourdes, and is astonished that so many celebrities, including Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, have begun to take varying degrees of interest in it.
She says, 'I was pregnant with my daughter and I went to this dinner party where I heard someone talk about the Kabbalah, which seemed to address questions I'd started asking.'
'I've been studying for nine years. I know there's all this fuss about it now, celebrities and so on. When I started, there were no celebrities and I just sat at the back of the class.'

When it comes to autographs signed by stars from the world of music, few modern recording artist’s signed material is as desirable as that of The Material Girl – Madonna. A major force in music from the 1980s on through to today, Madonna has proven to be a highly versatile talent, a savvy businesswoman and a master at constantly reinventing herself. But, is Madonna an accomadating signer? Does she answer requests by mail? Are her signed photos worth much?
These, and many other questions about Madonna’s signing habits and the value of her signed material are answered in Icons of Rock in the July issue of Autograph Collector magazine ON SALE NOW!

The magazine is in stores now in the US, Canada, Australia and some parts of Europe - the magazine can also be bought online at www.autographcollector.com

Pop star Madonna battled with writer's block as she created her five children's books.
The Material Girl made her debut as a kid's novelist with The English Roses in September 2003 and has just released her fifth tale, Lotsa de Casha.
Madonna admits she was relived to have six month gaps between books, because it gave her the time to overcome her creativity lapse.
She says, 'It didn't come easily. I'm methodical, so I set aside time to sit at my computer - of course, in the time that the children are at school - for four hours every day, but nothing came out.'
'My husband (Guy Ritchie) said, 'Write what you know about, and it will come, and then you edit out the bits you don't like.' And he was right - that worked.'

Matchbox Twenty lead singer Rob Thomas performed a cover version of Borderline last night at his London concert. madonnalicious visitor Danny sent in this report:

Thought I would drop you a line to let you know that at last night's Rob Thomas (Matchbox Twenty) gig at London's Astoria about half way through his set he performed a stripped down version of Madonna's 'Borderline'.
He was playing just the electric keyboard so it took most people a very long time before they clocked onto what he was playing. It was fantastic!

The Live 8 concerts are coming to MTV and VH1. The July 2 global shows to raise awareness of poverty in Africa will air for eight hours on the network and on VH1, with a mix of sets from artists such as Coldplay, Jay-Z, Destiny's Child, U2, Madonna and Dave Matthews Band, interviews with artists and retrospectives on the original Live Aid.
The MTV partnership means the concerts could reach a potential worldwide audience of 1 billion people; 1985's Live Aid reached more than a billion people and raised more than $100 million for African famine relief.
The MTV/ VH1 feed, which will run from noon until 8 p.m., will also air on mtvU. Relevant highlights will additionally run on July 3 on CMT and VH1 Classic.
In addition to showing select live coverage, the programming will include interviews with fans on site at some of the eight venues hosting shows and a look at what is expected from the upcoming G8 summit, where the topic of debt relief will likely take center stage.
The Live 8 broadcast will be the longest period MTV has gone live for a televised event since the riot-scarred Woodstock '99 concert. MTV also provided comprehensive coverage of the original Live Aid.

The 29 June issue of UK magazine Now features Madonna as the cover star for a Live 8 special. The magazine also features a two-page interview with Madonna talking about Live 8. Click on the images to enlarge and read the article.

Madonna once again graces the cover of UK magazine Grazia (27 June 2005 issue) for the second time in three weeks! Click to enlarge and read the article.

Grazia magazine got Madonna's only UK magazine interview to promote Madonna's latest book Lotsa de Casha and talks frankly about her life.

 

 

 

 

Madonna is now back in London after her promotional trip to New York City. In between preparing for her Live 8 performance she still found time to visit her gym and be snapped by the press on Tuesday 14 June.

Thanks to fellow fansite M.nu for the pictures - visit their site for larger versions.

Madonna's Bedtime Story and Rain videos will be on the upcoming The Work Of Director Mark Romanek DVD which is released on 13 September.

For more information visit www.directorslabel.com

Madonna's official website www.madonna.com have updated their splash page with an illustration from The English Roses to promote the official website for the book.

Also included in this update is a link to the I'm Going To Tell You A Secret documentary teaser trailer for everybody to watch.

madonnalicious brings you an inside look at the Lotsa de Casha book launch party in aid of UNICEF that took place at Bergdorf Goodman's in New York City on 07 June.

Party Productions NYC provided all the entertainment and performers for this party and have shared these pictures with us of the decorations, the arrival of Madonna to the party, the performers dressed up, the party and the book signing table.

 

 

Thanks to Party Productions NYC for the pictures.

MTV news repeated the announcement of Madonna's new album plans, saying she is definitely releasing a record this year.

They also showed an interview with her on the UNICEF red carpet with her saying that the album is 'just dance....no ballads' and that she worked a lot with Mirwais and Stuart Price and she also worked with a Swedish duo, Bloodshy & Avant.

The MTV News anchor said that fans can look for the album to be in stores in the fall and that 'contrary to recent rumours, Madonna's camp has denied that she will be launching her own fragrance this fall.'

UK newspaper the Sunday Mirror published this bizarre story in yesterday's edition:

Madonna's official website www.madonna.com have finally confirmed the tour documentary title:

Madonna.com is proud to announce the title of the documentary is 'I'm Going To Tell You A Secret'.

Madonna has produced five children's books in the past 18 months in a deal with Callaway Editions, and the fifth, 'Lotsa de Casha,' was supposed to be her last. But now she has decided to do a sequel about the tween girls who starred in her first book, 'The English Roses.'
It's already written and illustrations are under way, she says. The expected publication date is September 2006.
She decided to revisit the young girls who were jealous of a beautiful yet insecure classmate because it was the book closest to her heart — and it's the favorite of her daughter Lola, she says.
'When I first started out (writing the books), I knew what the first book would be about, jealousy and envy, which I did in 'The English Roses'....Girls can be especially hard on other girls,' Madonna said in a telephone interview.
Publisher Nicholas Callaway said Madonna still has many stories to tell. He also pointed out that 'The English Roses' was on The New York Times' list of best sellers for 18 weeks. 'Lotsa de Casha' has also made the Times list, debuting at No. 3.
'She identifies with the English Roses. She wants to help guide girls through that crucial stage of life,' Callaway said.
All of Madonna's books, however, teach a little lesson, and they've all been inspired by her own life.
'The ideas for all the books ultimately came from my own life experiences. This one was my realization that material things don't buy you happiness....If you don't have great success, how could you come to this conclusion? I had to go through this, and there were times in my life where I was perceived to have everything, yet I didn't feel fulfilled,' she said.
What has brought her happiness, she said, is her family - Lola, son Rocco and husband Guy Ritchie. Raising children has taught her how to share and take chances for the greater good, which aren't always at the forefront in the minds of most celebrities, she said.
'You have to be a lot less selfish. For me, real sharing and the growth of sharing is when you do something....outside your comfort zone.'
The children's books embody that philosophy for her, she said, noting that she doesn't take any money for writing them, instead she makes a donation to the Spirituality for Kids Foundation, an education and outreach arm of the Kabbalah Center.

She can boast a £124 million-a-year salary, has her own TV show, production company and charity - and now Oprah Winfrey is officially the world's most powerful celebrity. The queen of chat, whose weekly show attracts 30 million viewers in the US and is aired in 112 countries, took the top spot in Forbes' Celebrity 100 list, knocking actor Mel Gibson from his perch.
Elton John is the only Briton to make the top ten - which ranks stars according to their earnings and press attention, and includes golfer Tiger Woods and actor Tom Cruise. But David Beckham and Harry Potter author JK Rowling fell down the rankings and the Rolling Stones dropped off completely.
Editor Peter Kafka said: 'The list is full of surprises. For instance Star Wars itself got more coverage than George Lucas.'
Madonna is the highest earning musician on the list, Bill Clinton received the most web hits and the success of Desperate Housewives catapulted the stars to 25. The Da Vinci Code author Dan Brown is at 12 and supermodel Kate Moss achieved 93rd place.

A Kabbalah documentary is on 20/20 tonight (Friday 17 June) at 10.00pm on ABC.

Madonna herself will be featured as one of the most famous students of Kabbalah and there may be a mention of the Re-Invention tour which featured Kabbalah imagery. Madonna herself declined to be interviewed for this program.

www.madonna.com confirm the news about the album and a new tour:

Madonna's new album is expected to be released late November this year. WE can confirm that the album will be an all dance record! Madonna also hopes to go on tour again by next summer.

Members of Madonna's official fan club can now watch the teaser trailer for the tour documentary by logging into www.icon.musictoday.com - below are screen captures from the trailer.

madonnalicious visitor Charisse was able to attend the Lotsa de Casha book launch party at Bergdorf Goodman's in aid of UNICEF where she took these pictures:

 

The new issue of heat magazine (18-24 June issue) features a two-page picture spread of Madonna reading Lotsa de Casha to a group of schoolchildren at Borders bookstore in New York City last week.

No, Madonna hasn't become a schoolteacher - she's doing a reading from her latest kids' book, Lotsa de Casha. The story - the last in her series of Kabbalah-inspired tales - aims to teach that money can't buy happiness. Fair enough, Madge, but how about you sneak us a million anyway and we'll find out for ourselves.

 

Pictures of Madonna taken on Friday 10 June as she visited The Kabbalah Centre in New York City can be viewed here, here and here.

80 pictures have been uploaded to the galleries, you can view these pictures here.

Two UK newspapers today published large articles on Madonna's comment that she regretted her sexy past....nevermind the text, just enjoy the pictures!

Friday 24 June NYC GAY PRIDE MADONNA-THON!

Get into the Gay Pride Groove at 1984 at Pyramid (New York City) with the annual Madonna-thon!

* Doors open at 9 pm
* ALL-MADONNA DANCE FLOOR until midnight! (All-80’s after midnight)
* The basement video lounge features ALL RARE MADONNA VIDEO all night!
* $8 from 9-10/$10 after
* 21 to enter with ID - come early, the club hits capacity fairly early!

1984 @ Pyramid
101 Avenue A (between 6th and 7th Streets in the East Village), NYC

For more information visit www.SpinCycleNYC.com

Saturday 25 June DAVID GURLAND'S NEUROTICA

The music and musings of Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie. David Gurland merges music, cabaret showmanship and humor into an unforgettable Madonna-fueled entertainment experience.
Neurotica is new collaboration with musical director and arranger Michael Holland (MAC and Bistro Award Winner / 2004 Outmusic Outstanding Songwriter of the Year) that covers twenty of Madonna’s hit songs from the early 80’s through the present. The May premiere of Neurotica at The Encore was called 'one of the most exciting outings of the season' by Back Stage.

Ace of Clubs
9 Great Jones Street, NYC
(directly across the street from Fez at Lafayette Street, below Acme Bar & Grill).

Doors open at 7:00pm, show begin promptly at 8:00pm
Half-price drinks from 7:00-7:30 • 15% off dinner at Acme after the show
Tickets are $12. Advance tickets at www.TheaterMania.com

Fans in Oslo can enjoy a BIG Madonna party on Thursday 23 June in Oslo, Norway at Rexx (Hotel Bristol).

This party is taking place during the annual Europride week which is hosted in Oslo so plenty of international visitors should be in town.

For more information email oslo72@hotmail.com, or visit http://way.to/madonnamania or click on the flyer.

Madonna left Kabbalah Centre rabbis Yehuda and Philip Berg cooling their heels Thursday night. Donna Karan and other friends came to Solo, the glam kosher palace on Madison, to celebrate Philip's birthday. Her Madgesty? She was tied up giving Warner Music honchos Edgar Bronfman, Tom Whalley and Lyor Cohen a listen to her new album....

Madonna's official website www.madonna.com have updated their splash page with a picture of Madonna at her Lotsa de Casha booksigning last week.

June 7 - Madonna reads her new book Lotsa de Casha to students at Borders Book Store in New York City.

madonnalicious visitor Jeffrey filmed some footage of Madonna being interviewed on the red carpet at the Lotsa de Casha book launch party in New York City.

Fellow fansite MadonnaTribe reports back on a private screening of the tour documentary that took place in New York City last week:

The event, that took place in the Greenwich Village district of Manhattan, was attended by Madonna, Guy Oseary, Ingrid Caseras, Rosie O'Donnell, Liz Rosenberg, Angela Becker, Rabbi Berg & his wife Karen, Rit dancer Seth, Nicholas Calloway, Stuart Price, Stefano Dolce and many more.
As the news of the screening was kept hush hush there weren't paparazzi around but just a handful of fans to whom celebrities smiled while entering the theatre.
Some of these fans turned themself into 'red carpet journalists' and asked celebrities what they think about the film. Rosie O'Donnell confessed that the movie is 'extremely good' and another guest said it's 'amazing' and 'very emotional', adding that the way the music was presented is awesome.
Asked about when the fans will get to see the film Madonna's manager Angela answered that it will be 'very very soon'.

Another quote from the round of Lotsa de Casha promotional interviews has been picked up by the press:

Pop superstar Madonna regrets letting her ego get the better of her during the 1980s and early 1990s - because she now wishes she hadn't been so raunchy.
The Material Girl became famous for pushing the boundaries of what was sexually acceptable behaviour in a mainstream pop star.
But the 46-year-old, who now has two children and is married to film-maker Guy Ritchie, admits she was courting publicity for all the wrong reasons.
She says, 'Sometimes I was being overtly sexual for the sake of showing off when I didn't need to be. I think I hurt myself.'
'Ultimately none of us wants to be judged, or approved of, or loved because of the way we look, or how sexy we are.'
'One minute I was saying believe in yourself and the next minute I was saying just be sexually provocative for the sake of being sexually provocative.'
'I was letting it pump my ego, thinking aren't I great, they're writing about me, my picture's on the cover of every magazine, I'm so fabulous.'

Canadian music station Much More Music hosted a poll to find out the Top Gay Icons in music....Madonna of course came first! Here are the top ten:

1. Madonna
2. Elton John
3. Cher
4. Freddie Mercury
5. Melissa Etheridge
6. The Diva All-stars
7. Village People
8. kd lang
9. Boy George
10. George Michael

Madonna was photographed yesterday as she left the Kabbalah Centre in New York City - thanks to fellow fansite M.Nu for the pictures.

 

Madonna took time out this week while in New York City promoting Lotsa de Casha to have dinner at Da Silvano's restaurant with Ingrid Casares, Guy Oseary and Stuart Price - to view the pictures click here, here and here.

madonnalicious can bring you some exclusive pictures taken at the UNICEF/Bergdorf Goodman party to celebrate the launch of Lotsa de Casha - the stunning pictures were taken by madonnalicious visitor Jeff at the event.

Fans in the US should check the stores very soon for the July issue of Ladies Home Journal which features a brand new Madonna photoshoot.

The magazine features Madonna on the cover and a 15-page article inside featuring seven new pictures. The pictures were shot by Lorenzo Agius.

Click on the image for a HQ version of the cover - with thanks to Ladies Home Journal/Meredith Corporation.

Fans can now download Madonna's interview on ABC's The View.

madonnalicious visitor Zach attending the taping of The View and managed to take some pictures of Madonna on-set. The production team allowed fans to take pictures during the commercial breaks only.

 

 

 

 

madonnalicious visitor Eric was lucky enough to attend the taping of Madonna's appearance on The View on Wednesday, here is his account of the taping:

I'm a huge fan of the site and Madonna so I thought I would quickly write in with my most recent Madonna experience. I work for ABC here in NYC and was lucky enough to go to the taping of The View this morning with the one and only queen. I was in the fourth row from the stage.
Before the show started they got the audience all psyched up by saying that Madonna was in the building and by then playing Ray Of Light for everyone to dance to. When the show started it was exciting to see all of The View ladies but my friends and I are were all obviously on the edge of our seats waiting for Maddie. After they finished the second segments of hot topics and went to commercial they changed the set by moving out the desk and bringing in the couch and we knew it was time.
Barbara made her introduction and out she came, it was amazing. She was so beautiful, I've read stories about people going to her book signings and saying that she has a glow to her and they're completely right. It was almost like a dream watching her get interviewed only a few feet from me. I've seen her in concert five times and was lucky enough to be in the pit at a Re-Invention show last year but I wasn't able to grasp how tiny she is, she's tiny but also very strong looking....if that makes any sense.
During the commercial break her people came up to her and touched up her hair and make-up as she chatted with Barbara a bit. She gave a small wave and smile to the audience right before they went back on air. After she was finished we all applauded her and they started playing Express Yourself, it was awesome, I was hoping that she might start dancing to it a bit but no such luck. She gave all of the ladies a kiss goodbye, got a group picture with them and she was gone. It was a great experience.

Pop superstar Madonna moved to London for the sake of her marriage to director Guy Ritchie - and she's stunned she's fallen in love with the British capital because she once detested it.
The Material Girl gave up her life in Los Angeles five years ago, because she knew she had to move to London if their relationship was going to be a success.
She says, 'I moved (to London) for love. I never thought in a million years I'd live in London. I quite disliked the place. Then I met my husband. I realised that if I didn't live here I wouldn't get to see him very much.'
'We had a long-distance relationship for a year. I thought, somebody has to compromise - which I did. Then I fell in love with London and Guy started taking me to the countryside and I started to feel comfortable here.'
'I'd go to America and start to really miss London. It's funny the way things turned out.'

Fans can now download Madonna's interview with Matt Lauer on NBC's The Today Show which was broadcast yesterday.

Tonight's edition of London newspaper the Evening Standard featured Madonna on the cover and an inside article on a £1.6 million house she has bought in London for The Kabbalah Centre and the controversy it is causing with the neighbours.

 

Once upon a time, there was a book party for Madonna's fifth children's book, 'Lotsa de Casha,' the story of a rich yet unhappy greyhound who learns the value of sharing when he finds himself stranded without any money.
The party was at Bergdorf Goodman. Socialites and artists mingled and sipped wine amid the Hermès scarves and Kenneth J. Lane jewelry and Isabella Fiore handbags.
Signed books were $75, with proceeds going to Unicef, and guests and their children lined up around the room to have their signed books personally dedicated by Madonna. Hopping around the display cases were people dressed in 18th-century costumes, heavily made up to look like rabbits and greyhounds and other characters from the book.
'It's like a bar mitzvah,' said David Copperfield, who spent much of the time smiling politely when clever guests said they wanted to take his picture before he 'disappeared.'
'It's like a wedding,' said Guy Oseary, watching Madonna promenade in an hour and a half late, holding a bouquet and leading a train of photographers, security guards, a publicist, an assistant and a makeup artist.
'It's scary,' said Damon Dash, when he was approached by one of the large rabbit people.
'It's an interesting juxtaposition,' the book's illustrator, Rui Paes, said of the fancy party celebrating a book about how money doesn't buy happiness. He emphasized that it was all for a noble cause. 'One must see that one is able to do good while living in luxury.'

When US TV show Entertainment Tonight asked Madonna on the red-carpet at the UNICEF party what songs she would be performing at Live 8 she replied that Like A Prayer and Ray Of Light were definitely on the set-list but she was still deciding on third song although she may chose Imagine.

UK newspapers the Daily Record and the Daily Star today featured pictures from the Lotsa de Casha book reading at Borders and the UNICEF party in New York City.

 

On the possibility of writing her autobiography:

'I've thought about it, but it's a daunting idea. I don't know, maybe I'll do it in 20, 30, 40 years. I have some tales to tell, that's for sure.'

On longing for a meaningful relationship:

'My life was a series of ups and downs. It was like one minute I was ecstatically happy and the next minute I could be very down. I think the biggest emptiness in my life was that I didn't seem to be able to have a lasting and meaningful relationship. And I wanted a family - and how could I have a family if I didn't have a lasting and meaningful relationship?'

On teaching her daughter Lourdes to pick up her clothes:

'My daughter does not like to pick up her clothes in her bedroom. She throws her clothes everywhere and I say, 'Okay, if it's on the floor when you leave for school in the morning, it's gonna be gone when you come back.'
'So we have a big trash bag, we collect her clothes, we put it all in the bag and by the end of the week she's got one outfit to wear. So I say, 'Okay, you need to earn your clothes back. It works for a while and then the clothes start falling on the floor again!'

On being the strict disciplinarian parent:

'I'm the disciplinarian, Guy's the spoiler. I'm doctor's appointments, lessons, homework. He's good cop, I'm bad cop.'

madonnalicious visitor Patience was one of the lucky ICONers to win an exclusive pass to meet Madonna at the Borders booksigning. Here is her great account of her experience:

As I sat outside the Borders Columbus Circle store, every minute that passed was met with more and more anticipation. I found the other three Icon winners and we stood in a circle, talking animatedly about our love for Madonna, eagerly awaiting our moment with her. When Denise (our Icon rep) came over to us, we all breathed a huge sigh of relief and got even more excited, as we knew the time of our dreams being realized was coming.
We were brought into the store, past the press check-in and security guards, and winded our way to the back, right up to a red velvet rope, behind which was the sacred room where her Madgesty would grace us with her presence.
Once we showed our ID's to Denise, we were let through the velvet rope, into a room enclosed in a red velvet drape. To the right were tons of press/paparazzi. It was incredible. They were on tiered bleachers, all lined up with their huge cameras and boom mics, all ready to get the perfect picture of Madonna. On the floor, in front of the little stage with a red leather chair, there were kids from P.S. 8, all looking at other books by Madonna, such as 'The Adventures of Abdi' and talking excitedly with each other.
The four Icon winners (including myself) were sat to the right of where Madonna would be sitting and directly behind us were Rui Andrade Paes, the illustrator of 'Lotsa de Casha' and Madonna's long time associate and spokesperson, Liz Rosenberg. Liz was incredibly nice and personable, and introduced herself to us all. What a sweet woman who had complete control over the press. It was amazing to see how they listened to her and did what she said with just one word.
Madonna was a little late getting to Borders, so every minute was bringing our anticipation level higher and higher. We kept hearing from Madonna's people, 'she is in the car' and 'she is 5 minutes away' so every time I heard that, I could breathe again. I was afraid I was going to hyperventilate when I saw her!
Suddenly, it was time. Nicholas Callaway, Chairman and CEO of Callaway Arts & Entertainment, got up and said a few words and as I looked straight ahead, I saw Madonna come out with Liz. She looked like a beautiful doll, in a black cocktail dress with super high heels. She is so petite and looked incredible with her blond hair flowing loosely and very subtle makeup. Once the press caught sight of her, the clicking of the cameras began, and she immediately hid behind Liz. It was quite a sight!
Then she was introduced, and walked into the room, greeted by applause. She was just beautiful, and very patient with the press who were all calling out her name. She posed and looked to all sides of the press group, and the flash bulbs went off like mad. All I could do was sit and stare in amazement. I felt like I was at the Oscars or something - I have never seen so many flashbulbs! It looked like a lightning storm!
After the press had their fill, Madonna went to sit on this red chair they had for her, but said she felt too far away, so she sat on the ledge of the little stage and all the kids moved up. And then began the reading. She was interrupted by the clicking of the cameras, and Madonna scolded the press. It was so great to watch. Then, Liz asked her to stand up with the book, let the press take some pictures and once they were finished to please let Madonna read to the children. They obeyed!
The story was really very well-written and Madonna read the characters in different voices, stopping to show the pictures to the children from time to time, and asking them questions. She was very patient with the children and truly showed her motherly side. I felt like a child listening to it, I was so enraptured.

After the story was finished and the children were led out of the room, the four Icon winners were taken aside and put in a line to be the first to meet Madonna. My anticipation level had reached an all time high and my heart started to beat quickly. At this point, I realized, this was it - the moment of truth. I was about to shake hands with a woman I have admired and respected for over 20 of my 30 years here on this Earth.
As they wheeled the table up to the center of the room, Madonna got a quick touch up on her makeup and I started shaking. Nick went first. I watched him and thought, oh my God, what am I going to say? When I saw him walk away, I knew it was my time.
As I walked up to her, I began to lose my breath, so all I could get out at first was a wimpy, 'Hi Madonna', with a huge smile on my face. She asked, 'Are you one of the fan club winners?', and I said, 'Yes', again with a huge smile. She asked, 'What's your name?' and I said, 'Patience'. As she shook my hand, she said, 'Wow, what a beautiful name!' That immediately put me at ease.
I said to her, 'I'm going to pull a Moira McFarland moment on you from 'Truth or Dare' and ask you to bless my child.' She asked, 'You're pregnant?' I answered, 'Yes, and this book will be the first I will read to my little one.' Madonna said, 'I hope you have a healthy pregnancy and beautiful delivery. You will be great.' Then I told her if it's a girl, I'm naming her Lola and she exclaimed, 'YOU ARE! Oh my God, I'll have to tell Lola that', with a huge smile.
I told her I loved her and said goodbye, and walked on with a huge smile on my face, seemingly floating on air.
To see her a few feet away, reading to children, really showed her humanity and motherly side. From watching her, it's so clear what a wonderful mother she is to Lola and Rocco. And then to actually meet her, shake her hand and get to speak to her, was just incredible, a true dream come true.
The way she put me at ease and calmed me with her sincerity and peacefulness was truly enlightening. To know that she blessed the little being inside me makes not only meeting her special but being pregnant even more special.
I can't wait to read 'Lotsa de Casha' to my little one and tell him/her, this is a gift from Madonna!

Madonna appeared on US TV show The View today. During the 20-minute interview, Madonna discussed wide-ranging topics, including marriage, her image, her children, and her diet/workout program. The appearance also touched on her children's books, including Lotsa de Casha which she is currently promoting in the US.

In the show she revealed some exciting news on upcoming projects:

Madonna's new album is expected to be released late October/early November this year. The album will be ALL DANCE as she is in the mood to dance!

Madonna also hopes to go on tour again by next summer.

'Lotsa de Casha', the fifth and final installment in a series of children's books by Madonna, has been released. It tells the story of the richest man in the world, who loses everything but gains a friend. Written for readers ages 6 and up, 'Lotsa de Casha' is described as 'a whimsical updating of the age-old truth that money can't buy happiness.' Nicholas Callaway, founder and chief executive officer of Callaway Arts & Entertainment, announced the book's publication.
On the Wednesday morning 'Today Show,' Madonna talked extensively about Kabbalah and her studies in it. Kabbalah consists of a large body of speculation on the nature of divinity, the creation, the origin and fate of the soul, and the role of human beings. It was taught to only a select few, and its sometimes mystical practices have rendered it, in most scholarly views, as an esoteric offshoot of Judaism. Many celebrities, including Britney Spears, Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, have professed their interest in its practices.
Has the study of Kabbalah made Madonna happier?
'Anything that makes you get outside yourself and see that the world doesn't revolve around you, I think, is good and make you happier and makes you grow,' Madonna said to Matt Lauer on 'Today.'
Madonna was also asked if the study of the mystic Kabbalah had hurt her career.
'No. Why would it hurt my career?' she responded. Because people don’t get it and may think it’s a little weird, she was told.
'Yeah, but think about what I was doing ten years ago, 14 years ago, whatever there was… A lot of people who didn't like what I was doing then. So you can (ask), 'Did that hurt my career?' '
'Basically,' Madonna said, 'my entire career has been a lot of people second-guessing, saying, 'Oh, that’s not good. Oh, she’s really done it this time!' Saying negative things. But I just keep going and doing my thing.'

The Material Mom read her latest children's book - 'Lotsa de Casha' - to a group of elementary school students at the Borders bookstore in the Time Warner Center yesterday. It's her fifth book in 18 months.
Wearing an off-the-shoulder black Moschino top, a fitted black skirt and black stilettos, the one-time rocker showed up 45 minutes late. She read to the students for a half-hour, made the barest minimum of small talk, and then departed without taking questions about her latest tome.
Each of the 27 students from PS 8 in Brooklyn Heights received an autographed copy of the 48-page book. More than 200 radio-contest winners were also on hand at the reading. 'My students love her books,' said Nicholas Patrello, 24, a Bronx teacher who won the contest. 'I told her that and I think she was happy to hear that I read her books in my class.'

Click on the image to enlarge.

Pop superstar Madonna will hit the West End once more in a glittering new musical - but she's keeping the details under wraps.
The 46-year-old last stormed the London stage in 2002 with hit play Up For Grabs, and she was thrilled with its success.
She says, 'My last play sold out within hours. I never missed a performance and above all, I loved it so much.'
Her next theatrical effort is going to be a more tuneful affair, and Lord Lloyd-Webber, who worked with Madonna in movie musical Evita, is tipped to be her mystery collaborator.
She teases, 'I'm planning on hooking up again with a musical mentor who I admire so much. And yes, it will be a musical role on the stage.'

The latest edition of UK magazine Grazia (13 June 2005 issue) features Madonna on the cover and looks at her changing style over the years.

All change (again) for the Queen of style. For the last 20 years she's been the mistress of style reinvention. Now Madonna's planning a hot new look for her comeback infront of three billion people at Live 8.

Click to enlarge and read the article.

UK TV show GMTV showed a small interview with Madonna as she arrived at the UNICEF party yesterday in New York City to celebrate the launch of Lotsa de Casha. The clip also showed footage of Madonna at the Border book signing.

She also denied reports that she was a bad neighbour in Wiltshire, where neighbours to Madonna and Guy's country home say she has done nothing to support the local area. Madonna's reply was 'I do too, I support all the local pubs with my husband on a regular basis!'

A preview of Madonna's interview on The Today Show was shown last night - the full version will be shown today from 7.00am (EST).
Here is a capture from the show during which she discusses the relative failure of American Life saying: American Life was a very political album. I came out against the war, and I think that hurt it.

A reminder to fans that they can catch Madonna on two shows today in the USA:

The Today Show - from 7.00am (EST)

The View - from 11.00am (EST)

madonnalicious visitor Ian also wrote in to say that a Madonna interview has been scheduled to be shown on UK TV show GMTV from 6.25am.

If anyone can capture the two US TV programs for sharing with other fans then please contact madonnalicious.

Here are the first pictures from the Borders book signing event which took place earlier this afternoon in New York City.

Yesterday Madonna did a book reading from Lotsa de Casha for a group of children at the Jane Allen Emil Library at the Northside Center for Child Development in New York City.
The reading was hosted by Ladies Home Journal magazine which features Madonna on it's July cover. Madonna and Diane Salvatore, the editor-in-chief of the magazine also handed over a cheque for a donation of $5,000 to the library.

ICON members can read the first press journal from the event by logging in here.
Twenty pictures from the event can be viewed here.

Madonna arrived in New York City during the weekend for her week long promorional blitz in the city for Lotsa de Casha, she was photographed arriving at her apartment. To view the pictures click here.

Fans who voted in the Hello! magazine online poll to find the Most Elegant Woman will be pleased to know that Madonna topped the poll.
Her appearance at the Sin City premiere netted her a sizable win over second-placed Renee Zellweger.

Here is a press release from the publishers Callaway about the release of Lotsa de Casha and the promotional work Madonna will be doing in New York City this week:

Callaway Arts & Entertainment is pleased to announce today's release of Lotsa de Casha, the fifth and final installment in an internationally best-selling series of children's books by Madonna.
Madonna returns to New York for a weeklong celebration of Lotsa's debut, which kicks off with a party hosted by venerable retailer Bergdorf Goodman. More than four hundred guests will gather at the Fifth Avenue store to toast the story of the richest man in the world, who loses everything but gains a friend.
Fans will have the opportunity to meet Madonna when she signs copies of Lotsa at the Borders Time Warner Center. The author also plans a special reading at a New York City library.
Madonna will make a select number of media appearances in support of Lotsa, including an appearance on ABC's The View and a cover story in the July 2005 issue of Ladies Home Journal, available on newsstands in mid-June.
Nicholas Callaway, Founder and CEO of Callaway Arts & Entertainment, notes that, 'In less than two years, Madonna has become one of the most successful children's authors in the world. Her unique voice and beautifully illustrated volumes have sold more than two million copies in 40 languages in more than 110 countries. This latest work, Lotsa de Casha, is a whimsical updating of the age-old truth that money can't buy happiness.'
Portuguese painter Rui Paes, best known for his frescoes at the historical Munkebakken house in Oslo, Norway, illustrated this 48-page jacketed hardcover, written for readers aged six and up.
Mr. Paes says of working with the author, 'Madonna has a visual awareness that allows her to see beyond the surface, and that is very rewarding for an artist.' Madonna made publishing history with the global release of her first children's book, The English Roses, published simultaneously in 30 languages in more than 100 countries in 2003. It became the fastest-selling book in history written by a first-time children's author, debuting at no. 1 on the New York Times Book Review children's best-seller list and remaining on the list for 18 weeks. The English Roses is now available in 40 languages worldwide.

Members of Madonna's official fanclub ICON can follow what Madonna is up to this week on her promotional tour in New York City:

Stay logged into your ICON site this week, because Madonna is going to publish her press journal just for you! As you know, Madonna has a string of events coming up this week to celebrate the launch of Lotsa De Casha. At the end of every day M will come home and share some pictures and events that occurred during the day. There will be exclusive content just for ICONers which you can only access by logging in.

To find out more about ICON visit www.icon.musictoday.com

Tickets for the LIVE 8 London concert in Hyde Park will be allocated via a text competition. The competition is only open to UK and Channel Islands' residents aged 16 or over.

For the chance to win a pair of tickets to the London event send us your answer to this simple question:

What city is the forthcoming G8 summit being held near this July?

A) Berlin B) Moscow C) Edinburgh

Text A, B or C to 84599*

You can enter as many times as you like for a better chance of winning.

Each entry costs £1.50* plus your operator's standard text charge.
The text competition will close at midnight on the 12th June. Winners will be chosen at random by computer and notified by text message after the 13th June with details of how they can collect their tickets - either online or from collection points around the UK.
Due to the tight deadlines we are working to, you will need to be able to collect your tickets within ten days of notification of winning, otherwise you will forfeit them.

Participants can also enter the competition by sending their response A, B or C on a postcard with their full name and address to:

Live 8 Ticket Competition,
PO Box 4026,
Leamington Spa,
CV31 9AZ

Note this route of entry closes at 1pm on Friday 10th June.

A special commemorative edition of Life magazine looks at the 100 Greatest Americans chosen in a public vote for the Discovery Channel.

Last night the first show aired on TV and Madonna polled at number 46 in the list.

Christopher Ciccone once called his sister Madonna Louise 'her own masterpiece'. That she is an intricately crafted figure of great rarity who may or may not be a feminist icon and may or may not be much of a singer. But one thing is for sure; she is a star of the highest order, one with savvy, style, many facets and legs.
For more than 20 years she has had a phenomenial career, staying unerringly on the heat, while singing, dancing and voguing her way from disco diva to Marilyn Monroe marque to electronica queen.
Madonna can spot the next thing coming a mile off, she makes it her own, then delivers it with full frontal force. She long ago perfected the art of creating controversy (remember her Sex book!) which has been a powerful weapon for every celebrity since Cleopatra. She has done it her way, even down to creating her own record company and maintaining approval over every artist signed.
Madonna can be pondered and questioned, castigated and criticized, but she will continue to come out on top.

You can now listen to Madonna reading an excerpt from her latest childrens book Lotsa de Casha - the 2 minute 27 second clip can be found at www.amazon.com

Tonight we find out if Madonna has made the final 25 in the short-list for the Greatest American in tonight's show on the Discovery Channel. Is she has then fans can start voting via phone, text or online to crown her the Greatest American:

Matt Lauer has done countless interviews, but he's never had to pick the greatest. Now he has to announce the greatest American of all time.
The co-anchor of NBC's weekday 'Today' program makes a rare foray into prime-time television as the host of "Greatest American," a Discovery Channel series that airs on four consecutive Sundays starting June 5. Inspired by successful versions in countries such as England, France and Germany, the show lets viewers select the most significant American ever from a list of 100 nominees.
And what a range they represent; from George Washington and Elvis Presley to Amelia Earhart and Madonna....and from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Dr. Phil McGraw. Not to mention Abraham Lincoln, Donald Trump, Tom Cruise, Oprah Winfrey, Helen Keller, Eleanor Roosevelt, Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson, Tiger Woods and both President Bushes, among many others.
At the end of the first episode, Lauer will name the 25 finalists, based on polling conducted since the initial list's announcement. Viewers can then make their choices via the Internet, toll-free phone numbers and text messaging; specifics on those procedures will be given during the show. The second episode will whittle the list of 25 down to five, and the third installment will offer debates by advocates of those remaining candidates. The victor will be declared in the June 26 finale, presented live from New York (in the East).

For more information visit http://tv.channel.aol.com/greatestamerican

The latest issue of hot stars magazine (free with OK! issue 472) features an article on stars caught in a fashion rut - Madonna and her parka coat joins Kate Moss and her skinny jeans, Posh's mini skirts and Liz Hurley's white jeans!

 

At her Hammersmith Apollo concert in London last night, Tori Amos again did a cover version of Like A Prayer. Tori previously did this cover version at her 06 April show in Washington DC and the 07 May show in Sydney, Australia.

Tori also covered Live To Tell at her 15 May show in Adelaide, Australia.

Madonna has signed a £5 million deal to launch her own range of perfume. She hopes to have the new fragrence on sale before Christmas around the time her new album hits the stores.

It will be advertised in magazines and on TV and Steven Klein is meant to have shot the press campaign.

madonnalicious visitor Clayton was one of the lucky winners of an exclusive Borders booking signing ticket - here is a scan of his winning letter and pass to the event (note the original is in colour).

 

Kelly Smith was the lucky ICONer to win the competition to be a reporter for ICON magazine at the UNICEF party next week. She wrote into madonnalicious to reveal how she feels:

Hi, I'm Kelly Smith, the winner of Icon's Reporter Contest. I'll be reporting for Icon magazine for an upcoming issue Madonna's party for UNICEF at Bergdorf Goodman's in NYC on June 7 at 7 pm.
I'm very honored and excited to have been chosen as the winner and that Madonna thought my essay was the best. I entered on a fluke, thinking I had no chance of winning, but I did win!
I was one of the last to know, I'd been out most of the day and didn't find out until I got on-line and saw everyone's reaction to the announcement on the Icon Forums.
I can't wait to have the chance to interview and/or meet Madonna in person at a PARTY of all things! I'm excited to write an article for Icon as well on UNICEF and my experiences of the party as well.
I am grateful to Madonna for selecting my essay over all the others in the pile. I gave the piece a lot of thought and rewrote it several times before submitting it to her. It came from my heart, that's for sure.
Wish me luck, that I don't get tongue-tied and mess up asking Madonna a question!

The new edition of US magazine Ladies Home Journal features Madonna on the cover and an interview by Jeanne Marie Laskas. The article features a brand new photoshoot of Madonna which was shot in London in March.

The pictures from this photoshoot have been distributed to media companies with an embargo on publishing them until 08 June. Some pictures have leaked onto the internet, but the magazine publishers have asked madonnalicious to obey this embargo for legal reasons.

Another fellow fansite www.madonna.nu provided this information about the shoot:
The photoshoot was photographed by Lorenzo Agius, styled by Simon Robins, hair by Andy Lecompte and make up by Gina Brooke. The magazine should hit stands during the 3rd or 4th week of June.

In preparation for the 07 June release of Madonna's latest childrens book Lotsa de Casha the official website www.madonna.com have updated their splash page with an illustration from the book.

Celeb siblings Haylie and Hilary Duff go from riches to rags and back to riches again in 'Material Girls,' their first big-screen joint venture. The pretty pair channel superstar Madonna - whose Maverick Films is producing the fun flick - as they re-record the songstress' famous title song for the soundtrack!
'We want to record a couple of different versions,' Hilary tells our Ryan Devlin of remaking 'Material Girl.' 'Maybe something more dancey or more rock. There are different options we're scoping out.'
Haylie finds taking on the famous song a bit intimidating. 'We grew up listening to all of her music so there's all this pressure put on us,' she says. 'I can remember being a little kid and dancing to her music.'

Members of Madonna's official fanclub ICON can enter a sweepstake for the chance to win one fo four tickets to Madonna's 07 June book signing meet and greet at Borders in New York City.

To enter the sweepstake click here.

Fans can catch coverage of the 02 July Live 8 concert free on AOL - for more information visit www.aol.com

An rumour in UK tabloid The Sun about Madonna and Sting dueting at Live 8 has now reached the world's press :

Pop superstar Madonna and Sting will reportedly provide a dazzling finale to the star-studded Live 8 charity concert - by performing an historic cover of John Lennon's poignant classic Imagine.
The Material Girl reportedly consulted her Rabbi advisor Michael Berg before agreeing to take part in the ground-breaking gig, which aims to persuade politicians to cancel Third World debt, double the aid budget and rewrite global trade laws so developing countries can protect their economies.
And she has now agreed to perform the moving duet with the former Police star, who played at the original 1985 Live Aid, to ensure the concert lives up to its billing as the biggest gig of the decade, reports British newspaper The Sun.
An insider says, 'They have had a discussion about performing a cover version. Madonna sang it on her Re-Invention tour.'
The pair will also perform solo pieces at the event in London's Hyde Park on 2 July.

The Prince of Wales' charity is to get £1.6m from the Live 8 concert in London's Hyde Park after cancelling its own pop show to make way for the event.
The Prince's Trust agreed to scrap its annual Party in the Park, which was scheduled for 2 July, when plans for a new Live Aid concert got under way.
The money will come from text messages sent in the competition to win tickets.
U2, REM, Madonna and Coldplay will play in Hyde Park to raise pressure on world leaders to fight poverty in Africa.
Text lines are expected to be inundated when the competition opens on Monday.
It will be the only way for the public to get hold of the 145,000 tickets, with each entry costing £1.50 plus the normal text rate.
A multiple choice competition question will be revealed on Monday, along with a text number to send entries to. Lines will be open until midnight on 12 June.
The event is not primarily designed to raise money, but the first £1.6m from text messages will go to The Prince's Trust, which was set up by Prince Charles in 1976 to help young people in the UK.
Money will also go to Help a London Child, the charity run by radio station 95.8 Capital FM.
Any extra money raised by the text messages will go towards the cost of staging the event.

Hello! magazine is running a poll to find the Most Elegant Woman that featured on their website last week - Madonna is in the running against such celebrities as Renee Zellweger, Brittany Murphy and Sarah Ferguson.

To vote for Madonna click here.