To celebrate the 1000th number one single BBC Radio One asked fans to vote for the Greatest UK number one single. In total 26,072 votes were recorded.

Madonna was the most voted for female artist with Like a Prayer at number 4, Vogue at number 5 and Music at number 21, as well as seven other songs receiving votes.

1. Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody
2. Iron Maiden - Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter
3. Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
4. Madonna - Like a Prayer
5. Madonna - Vogue
6. Elvis Presley - Jailhouse Rock
7. Oasis - Don't Look Back in Anger
8. Abba - Dancing Queen
9. Mariah Carey - Without You
10. John Lennon - Imagine

Stuart Price will be playing a DJ set as Jacque Lu Cont at The Empire in Belfast, Ireland on Saturday 05 February.

Tickets are available at £13 from www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Fellow fansite www.mad-eyes.net are reporting that Warner Belgium have given a release date for the Re-Invention tour DVD as 01 April 2005.
Please remember that there has been no official news yet about the release date from Madonna's team, but at the moment all the information still points to a late March/early April worldwide release.

Fans can vote for Crazy For You as the Best Love Song on the Entertainment Weekly website - to vote click here. Madonna is currently in second place in the poll behind Mariah Carey's Vision of Love.

UPDATE (31 January 2005) Crazy For You is now number one in the poll....so keep voting!

madonnalicious visitor Wendy took these great pictures at the Worcester Centrum at the 27 June show. If you want to read Wendy's report of the show click here.

   

 

The latest UK edition of the National Enquirer (31 January issue) features a picture of Madonna in London this month.

Someone tell Madonna the sun's gone down - and it's okay to take off those huge sunglasses. Or is the bundled-up star trying to go incognito while leaving a beauty salon in London?

Click on the image to enlarge.

Here is a further look inside the Julien D'Ys book looking at the concept and design of the hairstyles for the Re-Invention tour.

The book is only available from the Colette store in Paris, France for €55, although overseas fans can now purchase the book from Colette's online store at www.colette.fr

 

 

Madonna's official website Madonna.com have updated their site with a picture from the Material Girl video, which must mean a new Classic Madonna Collection competition will be on the site soon.

Madonna.com have announced that Madonna's appearance on Missy Elliott's The Road To Stardom will air on Wednesday 16 February at 8.00pm ET/PT on UPN.

The latest issue of Us magazine printed a picture of Madonna in New York City last week (on 19 January) as she visited the rehearsals for the Nike Rock Star Workout which are being choreographed by Re-Invention show director Jamie King.

Madonna's official store are currently selling Las Vegas, Anaheim and San Jose Re-Invention tour tshirts for only $5.00 (plus shipping).

To visit the store click here.

Fans of the now-closed Madonna downloads site MADONNAinter.net can still contact the webmaster Philippe via his new site www.ABBAinter.net

The press interest is beginning to start in preparation for Madonna's appearance on Missy Elliott's The Road to Stardom US TV talent show next month.
TV Guide Online talks to Missy Elliott about her friendship with Madonna and her appearance on the show:

What did Madonna think of your group when she came to tape her appearance?
I never found out what she thought of them, but she gave them really great advice. Those kids probably couldn't even believe they were sittin' in front of Madonna. Imagine some kids that came from the projects having a conversation with her! She never compromised her creativeness, and they really listened to that.
How'd you get Madonna to do the show? Was it because you did that Gap ad together?
No, me and Madonna call each other for everything. She's always there for me. Madonna hit me up and wanted me to do a piece for her tour, and I did it. I don't think there's anything I would say no to Madonna for. I'm a huge fan of hers. I might not do a kiss situation (like Britney), but anything else she need me to do, she know I'm there for her!

Reputable online DVD store Sendit.com (previously blackstar.co.uk) have just been given a release date of 04 April 2005 for the Re-Invention tour DVD in the UK.

The latest edition of UK magazine Hello! (01 February 2005 issue 852) features a half-page article on Madonna receiving her Blue Peter badge.

Fellow fansite MadonnaTribe are reporting an interesting bit of news about from one of their readers about the forthcoming release of the Re-Invention tour DVD.

Our reader Bart from the Netherlands walked into a Van Leest Music Store in his country and on an instore release sheet they had Madonna Live - Re-Invention 2004 scheduled for a March 28 2005 release.

Nothing has been officially confirmed yet about the DVD release but from all the instore release sheets that we have seen, a late March/early April 2005 worldwide release date still seems possible.

Fans can finally download Madonna's performance of Imagine from A Concert Of Hope: Tsunami Aid, all proceeds from the $0.99 download will go to the American Red Cross appeal for this disaster. To download the song, click here.

 

The father of the US chat show, Johnny Carson, died yesterday at the age of 79.
As the host of the long-running The Tonight Show, Johnny interviewed Madonna in 1987. madonnalicious visitor Steve fills us in on their infamous meeting:

Their interview is so famous they've run it on every special about Johnny Carson. This was where she uttered the infamous line, 'I'm just a Midwestern girl....in a bustier.' And also, 'Thank Goodness my father gave me all those good old-fashioned values....it gave me something to rebel against.' Carson also asked Madonna to describe her husband Sean Penn, she said, 'He's interesting' and smiled.

madonnalicious visitor Robert also adds:
The show that she appeared on was the first ever talk show interview that she had ever done. She mentions that in the interview.
Carson says to Madonna 'Why haven't you done any talk show interviews before now?' Madonna replies 'Uh, I don't know I just never thought about doing them, but I thought if I was going to present myself as a Virgin to anyone it should be you'. This comment obviously got a big repsonse from the audience and a funny look from Carson. It was a classic Madonna moment.

 

madonnalicious visitor piru83 sent in these great pictures taken by his friend Salvatore at Wembley Arena on 25 August.

 

 

 

 

madonnalicious visitor Amanda filmed some small clips at Earls Court on Thursday 19 August, the clip features Nobody Knows Me, American Life, Express Yourself and Hanky Panky.

After a working week of business meetings in New York City, Madonna has now returned to London and was photographed earlier today in London strolling arm in arm with Guy - to view the pictures click here, here and here.

You can view some video footage of Madonna visiting the UNICEF headquarters in New York City last week at www.lulop.de

Madonna's official website www.madonna.com has updated their homepage again, this time with a picture from a 1993 photoshoot by Herb Ritts.

A 48-page limited-edition book (only 3000 copies) by hairdresser Julien D'Ys has been published. The book shows the working process behind the creation of the hairstyles for both the Re-Invention tour and the Steven Klein tourbook photoshoot.
Included in the booklet are Julien's own test polaroids of the hairstyles and some behind the scenes shots of the tour and tourbook photoshoot.
This is a unique look at how Madonna was styled for the tour last summer and is sure to become a collector's item.

 

 

 

The book is only available from the Colette store in Paris, France for €55, although overseas fans can now purchase the book from Colette's online store.

Colette
213 Rue Saint-Honoré
75001 Paris
Tel: 01 40 15 97 98
Fax: 01 42 86 91 06

www.colette.fr

Madonna met up with Maverick chairman and friend Guy Oseary at her apartment in New York City yesterday for a lengthy business meeting - to view the pictures of them leaving the apartment click here, here and here.

News of the Versace campaign has been featured in the latest editions of German magazines, Bunte and Gala - click on the images to read the articles.

 

Madonna and her team made a visit the the UNICEF offices on E. 44th Street in New York City yesterday. She reportedly made a private donation to the organization similar to what Bill Clinton did last week.
It was reported that she did not want to be photographed arriving, but was happy to be photographed as she left and was smiling.
The photo agency Isifa stated that she may have made a video promotion for the organization as well during her visit.

To view more pictures of Madonna leaving the building and braving the NYC snow - click here, here and here.

The latest edition of Italian Vanity Fair features a four-page interview with Donatella Versace about the Mario Testino photoshoot for Versace that took place in London last November.

On describing the look of the Versace Spring/Summer 2005 campaign that several newspapers had labelled a posh secretary look, Donatella says: No I wouldn't call her a secretary, but Madonna herself says, a Chief Executive Officer. A high level working woman that does not renounce glamour when she's in the office. Madonna worked a lot to define that image: she's a woman who put her nose in everything that has got to do with her, and that's smart.

You can read a translation of the full article on fellow fansite MadonnaTribe.

Today's edition of the New York Post featured the latest picture of Madonna in New York City:

Who's that girl? It's Madonna, beneath a very cozy hat, as she leaves UNICEF'S Midtown HQ after reportedly making a donation to warm her heart.

Madonna visited the RCA building in a very cold New York yesterday - to view the pictures click here, here and here.

You can now download Madonna's full interview with Matt Baker on Blue Peter, also included in the clip is a feature the Blue Peter presenters did on UK number one singles.
A competition to win a signed Madonna book is running on the BBC website here.

Scottish newspaper the Daily Record published a picture today of Madonna as she arrived in New York City at the weekend.

Madonna is only in New York for a short visit and is expected to return to London within a week.

Madonna has turned down an offer from Ricky Gervais to appear in his new show, Extras.
He's landed big names like Jude Law and Kate Winslet but Madge will not play herself and would only agree to a part if he developed a character especially for her.

During Matt Baker's interview with Madonna on Blue Peter she is asked where did she find all the names for the characters in her books - Madonna replied with a laugh I just looked them up on the internet!

Madonna said that her daughter Lourdes now likes to read to her, and that Madonna will usually lie on the bed and pass out while listening!

On getting her Blue Peter badge, Madonna asked: Does this mean I can go on a voyage of discovery now? Because I've never been on one of them!

UK fans can catch Madonna's interview on Blue Peter on Wednesday 19 January at 5.00pm - the clip will also be available on this site after the broadcast.

Madonna returned to New York City on Sunday for a business trip and was photographed as she arrived at JFK Airport - click here and here.

Madonna and Mary J Blige are set to take different sides in a new court battle over pop hit 'Holiday'. Bosses of the publishing company behind the 1983 classic claim Blige's 'Barbershop 2 song 'Not Today' is a rip-off of the tune and they're suing the R&B superstar and collaborators Eve and Dr Dre to prove it.
New York musicologist Judith Finnell has been drafted in, and she insists the Maverick publishers have a strong case. She tells American legal show Celebrity Justice, 'It sounds similar enough to bear further consideration. Both the pitches and the rhythms sound closely related.'

 

UK newspaper the Daily Mirror featured a full page article on Madonna receiving her coveted Blue Peter badge when she gave an interview to Blue Peter presenter Matt Baker.

The interview - which was recorded in November last year - was meant to be shown in December but postponed will now be shown on Wednesday 19 January at 5.00pm on BBC1.

Click on the image to enlarge.

Madonna's performance of Imagine on A Concert Of Hope: Tsunami Aid which was broadcast last Saturday is available for download at www.madonna-tv.com

Madonna and Guy were photographed as they arrived back home after a visit to The Kabbalah Centre in London yesterday - to view the pictures click here, here and here.

Many European fans were left disappointed when the advertised broadcast of A Concert Of Hope: Tsunami Aid on CNBC was cancelled without notice and then rescheduled but cancelled again.

CNBC now have no plans to air the show and cite 'complicated licensing issues' for the reason the show was not broadcast in Europe.

UK news show ITN Evening News featured a small news item on last night's A Concert Of Hope: Tsunami Aid show. Featured in the clip is a segment of Madonna's performance of Imagine.

Contactmusic.com are reporting the news that Madonna has asked Britney to voice the lead character of Binah in the animated version of her best-selling book The English Roses....

Madonna has persuaded Britney Spears to appear in the animated film version of her children's book The English Roses.
The Material Girl superstar pleaded with the Toxic singer to voice the story's heroine Binah - and Spears was eager to accept.
Madonna, 46, has also managed to secure the vocal skills of David Bowie and rapper Snoop Dogg for the big-budget movie, which will be produced by her husband Guy Ritchie.
The pop veteran herself will voice the Fairy Godmother in the tale of a girl - based on her eight-year-old daughter Lourdes - excluded by a group of schoolmates who are jealous of her beauty.

Here are some more pictures from Madonna's performance of Imagine shown last night during A Concert Of Hope: Tsunami Aid.

Madonna was joined onstage her usual band of Stuart Price, Monte Pittman and Steve Sidelnyk and they performed the Re-Invention tour version of the song.

You can view larger version of all 24 pictures of the performance in the 2005 Gallery

Hollywood stars and recording artists from Brad Pitt and Bruce Willis to Madonna and Elton John put their wattage to work on Saturday, raising money for victims of the Asian tsunami disaster in a nationally broadcast telethon.
'Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope' aired on NBC in a live two-hour broadcast in the East as well as a web cast, with a taped version showing in other areas and phone lines staying open through the night for contributions.
The phones were manned by many of Hollywood's A-list, including Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicolas Cage, Johnny Depp, Meg Ryan, Tim Robbins, Ray Romano, supermodel Cindy Crawford and George Clooney, one of the telethon's main organizers.
The show began with Morgan Freeman relating tales of survival and hope from the tsunami, followed by Madonna's performance of John Lennon's 'Imagine' live from London.

You can catch a small clip of her performance at www.msnbc.com

Fans can catch Madonna's performance on tonight's A Concert Of Hope: Tsunami Aid benefit show on a webcast at www.launch.yahoo.com

You can also watch a live streaming webcast of the show at www.msnbc.com

The 9 minute Avidiva Video mix of Nobody Knows Me edited by Dustin Robertson was featured in 7th Annual Director’s Cuts short film festival that took place recently.

Despite the deluge across southern California last Friday night (07 January), crowds braved rising flood waters and low visibility warnings to see the 7th Annual Director’s Cuts short film festival. The directors, along with MVPA members and cinephiles, mingled at a reception held at The Grill at Universal Studios before being ushered out to the screening rooms to view a selection of uncut videos and experimental shorts by some of today’s hottest directors in the music video world.
The program reflected the form of its content, being just a little over 90 minutes in length, but the short succession of shorts delivered. Many attendees were heard to comment that it was the best of the series to date. The films were punctuated by fantastic motion graphic transitions supplied by Transistor Studios. Comic book frames and explosive word bubbles provided an appropriate context for the shorts.
There were several highlights in the screening, most notably the premiere of a new Michel Gondry video I Wonder for the LA-based combo The Willowz, a black and white piece where a homeless man meanders through the city, making modifications to a makeshift automobile made from discarded trash.
Also notable for grandeur or artfulness were Nobody Knows Me, a non-stop 9 minute barrage of imagery that followed the many lives of pop star Madonna, Brett Simon’s short The Sailor’s Girl, and an uncut presentation of Jay-Z_s 99 Problems directed by Mark Romanek.

News is coming into madonnalicious that Steven Klein's and Madonna work of photographic art X-STaTIC PRO=CeSS is soon to be seen by a wider audience.

Steven Klein has said that he would love the exhibition to be seen all over the world, and there are plans to bring the exhibition to South America and Asia.

The exhibition is constantly evolving, and as seen in the recent Camerawork Gallery in Berlin the Re-Invention tour rehearsal pictures are now considered to be part of and a continuation of the X-STaTIC PRO=CeSS body of work.

Steven Klein's team are also in the process of putting together a new catalogue / book containing all the images from the exhibition. This will be less costly than the original (and now sold-out) X-STaTIC PRO=CeSS book.

NBC.com report that downloads of the performances will be available to buy in aid of appeal after the show online:

Performances will be available for download on Sony Connect. In association with this event, Sony's Connect music store will offer exclusive downloads of live performances from the concert. All proceeds from download sales will be donated to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, and Sony Corporation of America will match the first $100,000 raised through domestic download sales. Downloads will be available at www.connect.com
NOTE (16 January 2005) Madonna's performance of Imagine is not available as a download for unknown reasons.

UK newspaper The Sun are also reporting that Madonna pre-recorded her performance for the show today in London at the BBC TV Centre.

Madonna was photographed yesterday as she left her North London gym - to view the pictures click here, here and here.

madonnalicious visitor Steve has written into the site reminding us all of the famous quote Madonna uttered 21 years ago today on American Bandstand....

As a kid I used to watch American Bandstand every Saturday and I remember seeing Madonna perform Holiday on it even though I didn't give it a second thought as anything special. I was 16 years old then, and it wasn't until I saw the video Borderline that I became enthralled with Madonna. Years later, though, when I saw clips of this American Bandstand performance, I finally realized just how special it was.
The famous line that Madonna said to Dick Clark that day is almost always quoted as 'I want to rule the world'....when in fact the actual quote was just 'Mmmm, to rule the world.' It's one of those things that has become so legendary that the misquote is more famous than the actual one.

Madonna's official website www.madonna.com have updated their front page, with a stunning picture of Madonna from 1998.

You can now vote for the UK's greatest ever number one single in a new poll at BBC Radio One's website. So far Madonna has had ten number one singles in the UK, from Into The Groove in 1985 to Music in 2000.

To vote for the Madonna single of your choice - click here - voting closes on 23 January, and the results are announced on 30 January.

In tonight's edition of BBC 1 program Paparazzi the BBC film crew followed some paparrazi photographers as they followed Madonna around the countryside.
The two photographers luck was in when Madonna, Guy and her personal trainer jogged past. However after following the joggers for awhile, Guy turned around and spoke to the paparazzi (who actually thought Guy was Madonna's bodyguard!) and said that they could take some shots if the photographers then left them alone.

The new edition of UK magazine OK! (18 January issue 452) features an article on how celebrity couples fell in love. Included are Madonna and Guy:

Guy admits that even he was starstruck when he came face to face with the lady in question: 'We met at lunch. She was with her boyfriend and he was sulking, and they were a few seats down in the restaurant from where I was sitting and I thought, f*cking hell, it's Madonna. So I went up to her and made crap jokes.
I think I said: 'If you play your cards right, I'll put you in a movie.' She thought I was cocky and things went from there.

The UK magazines have finally caught up with the Versace pictures (although none of the fashion magazines actually feature the adverts themselves - they should be seen in the March 2005 issues).
UK magazine Hello! (18 January issue 850) features a half page article on Madonna modelling for Versace and how the stories of her and Guy renewing their wedding vows were false.

Stuart Price has cancelled his DJ set in Barcelona this weekend to join Madonna on Tsunami Aid: A Concert For Hope which airs on Saturday night.

Tsunami Aid: A Concert For Hope has been expanded to a two hour show (originally scheduled for one hour). NBC state it will air live and commercial free from 8.00-10.00pm (ET) on CNBC.

Reuters report that the show is due be broadcast from studios in New York, Los Angeles and London, England. This suggests that Madonna may perform her part of the show from London.

Proving that a Madonna picture can make any story seem bigger, tonight's edition of London newspaper the Evening Standard published a business article on how fashion house Burberry have suffered a fall in their price of shares.

The article was illustrated with pictures of Madonna in a Burberry cap (in Israel last year) and Madonna in Versace now.

The shortlist of nominees for the 2005 Meteor Ireland Music Awards has been announced with Madonna's headlining Slane Castle show up for an award.

The Re-Invention tour stop at Slane Castle on 29 August 2004 was Madonna's first ever concert in Ireland and she became the first female to headline at the venue.

Madonna faces competition in the Best Live Performance Visiting Act category from Franz Ferdinand, Killers, Metallica, Pixies and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The awards ceremony will take place at The Point Theatre on 24 February 2005.

Here is more from NBC's website regarding the broadcast details for the hour-long Tsunami benefit show, on which Madonna was be participating:

In response to aid victims of the tsunami tragedy, NBC Universal Television Group will air a live benefit special across its broadcast and cable platforms on Saturday, January 15, 2005 at 8:00pm.
The hour-long, music and celebrity driven broadcast will air live to the East Coast, tape delayed on the West, on NBC, USA, Bravo, Trio, SCI FI, MSNBC and CNBC with phone lines remaining open throughout the evening.
Clear Channel has signed on as promotional partner and will promote the broadcast on their radio stations across the country. The special is being executive produced by Dave Broome of 25/7 Productions, Tony Eaton and Larry Kline of Tall Pony Productions.

Viewers in Europe should be able to watch the show live on CNBC-Europe who are listing the program as a Tsunami Benefit Special Live program at 01:00 GMT on Sunday morning (late Saturday night). CNBC-Europe is available on UK Digital Satellite and via most cable operators. (Thanks to Jamesy for this information).

More than a dozen musical acts have signed on to perform in NBC Universal's tsunami benefit special, which will raise money for the American Red Cross's relief efforts.
Among those scheduled to perform in the special, titled 'Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope,' are Madonna, Sheryl Crow, Lenny Kravitz, Eric Clapton, Mary J. Blige, Kenny Chesney, Brian Wilson, India.Arie, John Mayer and Gloria Estefan. A number of other stars, including George Clooney, Usher, Halle Berry and Uma Thurman, are also set to appear.
The concert, airing at 8 p.m. ET Saturday (Jan. 15), will be broadcast on NBC and all its cable networks. The PAX network, which is partly owned by NBC, and Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo will also air the benefit.
During the benefit, viewers will be directed to a phone number and website for the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which is working to provide victims of the Dec. 26 disaster with food and water and to prevent disease in the areas hit by the tsunamis.
The Red Cross is at work on long-term aid efforts that include mental health counseling and disaster preparedness initiatives.

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

The Blue Peter team contacted madonnalicious regarding the The Adventures of Abdi interview with Madonna that was postponed from airing on the program in December:

We hope to be able to show the Madonna interview on Tuesday 18 January at 6.00pm on the CBBC channel and on Wednesday 19 January at 5.00pm on BBC 1.

Movie star Sean Penn has no regrets about his brief marriage to Madonna and still thinks the pop superstar is a wonderful person.
Now happily married to actress Robin Wright Penn, the Mystic River star admits he had a volatile relationship with the Material Girl - but he blames himself for its failure.
He says, 'It was a miserable marriage, but I like her a lot. It got me steps further and clearer into knowing what I wanted. I still had a lot of demon doors to go through.'
'I describe that marriage as loud....I don't recall having a single conversation in four years of marriage. I've talked to her a couple of times since, and there's a whole person there. I just didn't know it.'

James also captured the full performance of Crazy For You at the 21 July Toronto show, and madonnalicious visitor Derek was the lucky recipient of the Italians Do It Better tshirt that Madonna throws into the crowd at the end of the clip.

madonnalicious visitor James also filmed a great video clip of Madonna, Donna and Siedah performing Express Yourself at the 19 July show in Toronto.

Russian fans can catch Madonna's Golden Globe winning performance in the 1996 film Evita tonight at 11.30pm on ORT.

madonnalicious visitor James sent some pictures in that he took at the 19 July show in Toronto at the Air Canada Centre.

   

Here are some more previously unpublished pictures from last year's Re-Invention tour. madonnalicious visitor Simon took these great pictures at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada on 21 July.

 

 

Fans in the UK can catch two Madonna-related shows on TV next week:

Paparazzi: The BBC's cameras follow the photographers as they trail Madonna into the countryside (Wednesday 12 January 10.35pm BBC 1)

Sweeney Investigates: In a new series, John Sweeney explores the truth behind current affairs, beginning with an investigation into Kabbalah (Thursday 13 January 9.50pm BBC 2)

Today's edition of UK broadsheet newspaper The Daily Telegraph takes a look at Madonna's involvement in the Versace campaign - even adding up the coats of her outfits in the pictures! Click on the image to read the full article.

Madonna has played many roles in her long and lucrative career: virgin, pop star, actress, music mogul, sex symbol, fashion icon, yoga expert, feudal landlord, model-mother and tweeds-and-wellies country wife.
But a secretary? Even in the most up-market and stylish office, you are unlikely ever to hear the instruction: 'Take a letter, Miss Ciccone.'
Secretarial chic, however, is the latest image that Madonna – worth a conservative £227 million at last count – has chosen to promote for the new Versace advertising campaign.
As might be expected, she is no ordinary secretary. The Versace clothes she wears in just three of the photographs add up to £7,000 – not counting the watch – which probably represents a few months' take-home pay for a secretary in a fairly senior position.

Today's edition of UK newspaper the Daily Mirror published in the 3am gossip column a new picture of Madonna in London (and her friend Gwyneth Paltrow in New York).

Madge wore bug-eyed sunglasses as she tried to slip out of her favourite Knightsbridge beauty salon unnoticed. With her hair slicked back and her coat buttoned over her chin, she was still immediately recognisable.

Madonna.com will be celebrating Madonna's versatile career with a ongoing retrospective of images and quotes called the Classic Madonna Collection.
Madonna.com will also be running fun trivia contests for ICON members, so stay tuned to Madonna.com News for more details on how to win cool prizes.

Here are HQ scans of the Versace adverts that featured in the February 2005 issues of W and Elle magazines which have just hit the news stands in New York.

 

Madonna was snapped by the press as she left a beauty salon in London after having a facial - to view the pictures click here, here and here.

madonnalicious has received some news about Madonna's upcoming projects for 2005 - remember these are in the early stages and may or may not be finalised:

The two tracks Madonna has completed with Stuart Price are titled Haunted and If You Were Here. It is not know whether these tracks will make it onto her pending album, which has the current working title of Project 05.

The collaboration with Missy Elliot was on a track called Cali Dreams and is about the cost of fame. The track is not a duet as such, as Madonna is only providing backing vocals. It has yet to be decided if the track will be included on Missy's new album.

Madonna has also reaching out for another producer for her next album, calling on Emilio Estefan Jr. to work out a demo for her. Madonna wants a Latin track for her next album and is a big fan of Estefan's work.

Talks for the movie Streets of Paris are warming up. However, word is that Cate Blanchett is also interested in the role that Madonna has her eyes on. Jean-Baptiste Modino is currently not in the running to be director.

Spanish Mag Shanguide has published an article about Jacques Lu Cont (aka Stuart Price) and his upcoming visit to Barcelona. The article also mentions that he will be producing some songs for Madonna´s next album.

One of Madonna's Versace campaign pictures made the front cover of Belgium newspaper Gazet Van Antwerpen yesterday.

Madonna was straight back into her fitness routine after her Christmas break in the country. She was photographed on Tuesday going to her gym in North London - you can view the pictures here.

The fifth picture from the Versace campaign was published in US fashion paper Women's Wear Daily today.

This article from Vogue.co.uk gives us a description of a picture from the Versace campaign yet to be seen:

Ask most people to describe Madonna and you're unlikely to be offered 'typical working woman'. But that's how Brana Wolf styled her, for the latest Versace ad campaign, shot by Mario Testino.
Although the stunning images of the Material Girl office-bound remind us of no working environment we've ever seen, we wouldn't have it any other way. Seen lounging on her office daybed (every office should have one) in classic Versace print shirt and jeans, perhaps deigning to lick the occasional stamp, this is office life Versace style.
The fashion giant will spend $20 million on its ad campaign this year, a sizeable chunk of which will be headed Madonna's way. But, according to Donatella Versace, she's worth it: 'She’s an icon. She's an innovator, a groundbreaker and she's the best in her field. She relates to women of all ages. She's got extraordinary personal style and has been a friend of mine and the house for many years.'

When denying the story that Madonna and Guy renewed their wedding vows, Liz Rosenberg did add details to what Madonna and Guy did get up to at Christmas:

Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie spent their 4th wedding anniversary with 16 close friends at their country home outside of London. All these folks were at the wedding (in 2000) but I was not given names. Madonna is working on her documentary film of the tour and Guy is working on his film. Just a normal working class couple. Ha ha.

The fourth Versace Spring/Summer campaign was featured yesterday in the gossip column of gay lifestyle magazine/website www.out.com

In the February issue of Out, and other select style magazines, the house of Versace launches its spring advertising campaign, starring none other than Madonna. The pictures feature Madge in a very tasteful white and Lucite office, lounging on an office chair, gabbing on a beige Princess phone, and outfitted in off-white, flared trousers and an open-to-the-chest black-and-red print blouse.

Thanks to DrownedMadonna and MadonnaTribe

Mexican online news site www.reforma.com have published an article regarding the forthcoming release of Madonna's Re-Invention tour on DVD.
The article states that the DVD release date has been pushed back several times and that Madonna fans are having to wait a long time for it's release.
The article then states that a release date of 11 April 2005 has now been scheduled for Mexico.
However no official confirmation on the date was given by Warner Music Mexico, who could only confirm in the article that the tour has been officially authorised to be released on DVD and it will be the Lisbon shows.

Tear Prod, publisher of French luxurious magazine Instant-Mag, is happy to inform you that its special issue entirely devoted to Madonna, published in France in September 2004, is now available worldwide in this online store.

Printed in an extra-large size (30 x 40 cm / 12 x 16 inches !), this special issue is a real collector and allows to discover or rediscover magnificent pictures of the pop icon !

To look at a preview of the magazine or buy a copy, visit Tear Prod's website here.

The US edition of Vanity Fair (February 2005 issue) is the first fashion magazine to feature the Versace Spring/Summer 2005 advert. The advert covers two-pages.

Madonna spent the holidays with her family in England, and now people are saying the original pop diva took time out to renew her vows - but don't you believe it. Reps say that reports Madonna received a $190,000 dollar ring during a Kabbalah-based ceremony are untrue.

Missy Elliott's talent show, The Road to Stardom gets it's season premiere tomorrow (Wednesday 05 January) on UPN at 8pm ET/PT:

Get ready to watch 13 aspiring performers head out coast-to-coast with Grammy Award-winning artist Missy Elliott on one of her concert tours, where some of these select male and female vocalists will travel, live together on the tour bus and compete against each other for $100,000 and the opportunity to become music's next big sensation.

Madonna makes a guest appearance on the show - when there are four remaining contestants - giving advice on the trials and tribulations of stardom.
Insiders at the show say that Madonna's appearance was a complete shock to the contestants and that their reaction when she walked in was priceless!

UK newspaper The Sun reported today that Madonna and her husband Guy Ritchie renewed their wedding vows in a low-key Kabbalah-based ceremony on their fourth wedding anniversary at their country estate in Wiltshire.
The couple handed each other new rings as they celebrated. Guy bought Madonna a £100,000 sparkler from French designer jewellers FRED to mark the occasion.
Madonna is said to have ordered a new ring for Guy over six months ago, and had originally planned to give it to Guy on Christmas day.
A source told the paper: Madonna and Guy are closer than ever before. They have been together a long time and felt the time was right to renew their wedding vows. Christmas is a special time for them as they originally tied the knot on December 22 four years ago. Guy bought her the most amazing ring and she has been showing it off to everyone.
Gwyneth Paltrow and her husband Chris Martin were also present at the ceremony.

The Sun also reported that Madonna has been approached to participate in a Live-Aid style gig for the Asian Tsunami appeal.

Mariam, from fellow fansite madonnamemories.com is running a competition to win the rare 1986 Vanity Fair magazine:

I just wanted to let you know I have extended the contest on my site to run till January 5th for the 1986 Vanity Fair with Madonna on the cover.
If you want to let your readers know they still have a chance, I would really appreciate it! They only need to sign up at our forums and let me know their username to enter =)

Archived interviews with music legends including Madonna, John Lennon and Eric Clapton will be dusted off to help celebrate Radio Forth’s 30th anniversary. Bosses at the city-based broadcaster are planning to raid their vaults and showcase exclusive chats with some of the biggest names in show business.
Rod Stewart, Ozzy Osbourne, Sir Mick Jagger, Joan Collins and Liza Minnelli are some of the stars to have appeared on Radio Forth since it began broadcasting in January 1975. Station chiefs today unveiled plans to open the archives for the first time since the interviews were originally broadcast.

Madonna was interviewed for Radio Forth by DJ Vicky Pitchers in May 2003 - you can read her full interview here.

Here are some more previously unpublished pictures from last year's Re-Invention tour. madonnalicious visitor Cosette took these pictures at the 01 August show at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida.

 

 

madonnalicious visitor Michelle took these pictures at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada on 18 July.

   

madonnalicious visitor Tara took some pictures on 30 May at the MGM Grand Hotel Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

   

Today's edition of Scottish newspaper the Sunday Mail features the first picture from the Versace Spring/Summer 2005 campaign.

Who's that girl lazily tapping away on her computer keyboard? The platinum blonde Barbie doll look-alike is none other than the Queen of Pop Madonna in the latest Versace ad campaign....seems like the Material Girl has never been more in vogue!

Today's edition of UK newspaper the Sunday Mirror features an article by music critic Siobhan Grogan on her top five concerts of 2004, Madonna's Re-Invention tour is included:

When it comes to sheer entertainment, nobody does it better than the former Material Girl. From bagpipes to painful-looking yoga poses and all her classic hits, the honourary Englishwoman crammed it all into her amazing show and had us all hoping we don't have to wait another three years before she tours again.

Also included in her top five gigs were: Glastonbury Festival, Rufus Wainwright, Morrissey and Justin Timberlake.

On ABC in the US last night just before midnight a videotaped message from Madonna was played. Dick Clark, the popular U.S. personality who has hosted New Year's Eve for 32 years, suffered a stroke last month.
Clark, of course, might be the first person to introduce the U.S. population to Madonna on his show American Bandstand in 1983 when Madonna announced I want to conquer the world.
Regis Philbin, who was stepping in for Clark for New Year's, said he had a VERY special message for the hospitalized Dick Clark. Madonna filmed the message in London whilst recording The Early Show interview. Cut to Madonna's message:
Dick, I hope you're feeling better. We love you, we need you, we miss you, and get well soon. I'd like to wish you, and everyone watching tonight, a Happy New Year.