FEBRUARY 1, 2007

Brilla Mare Ariake is bringing his exquisite new high rise to the Tokyo bay front and has asked Madonna to star in the advertising campaign! The commercial, which was directed by Madonna's friend & frequent photographer Steven Klein, was filmed last week in London. Keep checking Madonna.com for more information about the commercial.

JANUARY 31, 2007

JANUARY 30, 2007

Exclutive Producers: Madonna, Angela Becker, Guy Oseary, Kai-Lu Hsiung, John Payne
Director of Photography: Eric Broms
Produced by Sara Martin
A Film by Jonas Akerlund
Show directed for the stage by Jamie King

Over her 25-year career, Madonna has gone on a remarkable seven world tours, each one with its own unique qualities.

Source: Daily Trojan Online - Los Angeles, CA, USA

Madonna kicked off her "Confessions" world tour at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles on May 21, 2006, emerging from a giant mirrored ball suspended over the audience, wearing black leather and lace riding gear. The pop diva was on the road until Sept. 21, playing dates throughout North America, Europe and Japan.

Madonna's show had a little something for everyone: five video screens, a giant mirrored cross, a Bedouin blowing a ram's horn, gymnastics, rollerblading and a disco inferno segment. There are verbal and visual digs at George Bush, pleas for help for African children orphaned by AIDS, and lots of her hits, particularly from her new "Confessions on a Dance Floor" album.

Wearing jodhpurs and a top hat and carrying a jeweled riding crop, the singer emerged from a giant disco ball covered with $2 million worth of Swarovski crystals, on stage in Los Angeles on May 21, 2006. Maybe that's why the tickets to the show cost up to $350.

More than a dozen dancers, who had as many costume changes as the Material Girl herself, provided eye candy throughout the show. Male dancers were the horses, wearing leather straps on their heads and bits in their mouths. Madonna mounted one and tugged on his reins as she sang the opening song, "Future Lovers," from last year's "Confessions on a Dance Floor".

Madonna dedicates much of the show to her latest album, playing nine of its 12 tracks. Selections from her other nine records are sprinkled in.

Future Lovers feat. I Feel Love
Get Together
Like a Virgin
Jump
Live to Tell
Forbidden Love
Isaac
Sorry
Like It Or Not
Sorry (remix)
I Love New York
Ray of Light
Let It Will Be
Drowned World/Substitute for Love
Paradise [Not For Me]
Music
Erotica
La Isla Bonita
Lucky Star
Hung Up

A jungle-gym contraption lowered from the ceiling became a play place for Cirque du Soleil-style gymnasts, while multiple massive video screens flashed images of war, world leaders, nature and, of course, Madonna. She proves she can still stretch those legs during the concert.

The production was so tightly choreographed it left little room for spontaneity. Even when Madonna flipped the crowd the bird, it felt scripted, not subversive.

Madonna was an equestrian, a disco princess and a black-clad rocker. Plus, she crucified herself on a mirrored cross ... all in less than two hours. Madonna is known for her theatrical, action-packed shows.

Madonna's show features moving platforms that carry a four-piece band and three backup singers across the enormous T-shaped stage.

BAND & CREW:
Guitar / Vocals: Madonna
Musical Director, Keyboards & Guitar: Stuart Price
Show Director, Set Designer, Choreographer: Jamie King
Backing Vocals: Donna DeLory & Nicki Richards
Artist Management: Guy Oseary & Angela Becker
Publicist: Liz Rosenberg
Costume Designers: Arianne Phillips & Jean-Paul Gaultier
Tour Production Director: Chris Lamb
Tour Production Director: Chris Lamb
Choreographers: Talauega Brothers, Liz Imperio, RJ Durell, Fred Tallaksen
Worldwide Tour Promoter: The Next Adventure (Live Nation)
Tourbook and Logo-Design: Giovanni Bianco

Music DVD Review: Madonna's The Confessions Tour - Live From London (DVD/CD)

The Confessions Tour is the most successful tour ever by a female artist. Despite the high price of $350 for a majority of tickets, Madonna had no problem playing multiple dates in each city. Her ticket prices may be ridiculously overpriced, but make no mistake: Madonna works hard for the money and even if you weren't able to see the show in person, this DVD shows why she is still the most successful female entertainer in the world.

From the moment she opens the show from inside a disco ball with “Future Lovers” to her jaw dropping performance of “Hung Up” at the end, Madonna can command an audience like none of her peers have been able to. Her voice may have a limited range, but Madonna sings with emotion, confidence, and poise. It’s unfortunate that her voice has been auto tuned and reverbed past the point of reality on this DVD. At her actual concerts, Madonna's singing, although imperfect at points, is fine enough. When she sang “Live to Tell” in New York City last July, the audience was clearly moved by the emotion and effort in her voice. She still sounds effective on the DVD, but it’s hard for the listener to appreciate the post manipulation of her voice.

Speaking of “Live to Tell,” there has been a lot of controversy about Madonna supposedly mocking Jesus Christ as she performs this song. Right wing Christians would have you believe that Madonna’s performance of “Live to Tell” was a bigger travesty than the war in Iraq. However, this is not the case. While Madonna performs this song, posing as Jesus Christ on the cross, we see flashing numbers rise to 12,000,000. When Madonna gets down from the cross, we realize that this is the number of African children orphaned because of the Aids crisis. We then see quotes from the Bible, such as “For I was hungry and you gave me food.” It really is an effective performance as Madonna pleads for us to stop ignoring this travesty. Then again, Madonna has pushed our buttons so much that’s it’s easy to see why some people take her message as a “publicity stunt” rather than a truly philanthropic statement.

Thankfully, The Confessions Tour-Live From London is filled with more fun than political messages. She plays a horse master during “Future Lovers,” “Get Together,” and “Like A Virgin.” She plays an acrobatic, crazy chick during “Sorry,” “Like It or Not,” and “Let It Will Be.” She’s surprisingly successful as “rock chick” when she effectively plays the guitar during “I Love New York” and “Ray of Light.” She’s most effective, however, as the dancing queen during “Music,” (where she effectively shows off her Saturday Night Fever moves), “Erotica,” “La Isla Bonita,” “Lucky Star,” and the finale, “Hung Up.”

The only time the concert slows down is during the performances of “Drowned World” and “Paradise.” She sings “Drowned World” beautifully, but the audience doesn’t want her to sit down. She plays acoustic guitar during “Paradise,” but the audience, once again, doesn’t appreciate Madonna as the reinvented coffee house singer.

Madonna also invites a singer named “Isaac” with her on this tour. He actually sings on Madonna’s recent record, so she probably thought having him sing on tour would have been a great thing – Wrong! Isaac appears as a sore thumb in an almost perfect concert. This is especially evident while Madonna sings a newly discofied “La Isla Bonita.” The audience is definitely with Madonna on the ride until, suddenly, Isaac’s off-key voice appears at the end. While he may have been a great addition to Madonna’s Confessions on a Dance Floor album, he’s surely a disability (although a minor one) to her concert tour.

The Confessions Tour-Live From London definitely captures the excitement of seeing Madonna live, but at times, tries to over-capture the experience. During the most exciting performances, we see constant scene shifts from different camera angles, overexposure of the lighting, and a constant exaggeration of stage effects. At times, this all makes the viewer feel he/she is watching a cartoon.

Ultimately, Madonna becomes exhausting to watch – but not in a bad way. One may wonder why, at this point in her career, Madonna feels that she still needs to sweep her audience up like a hurricane and make them say “Wow!” over and over. Is Madonna celebrating her recent success, or trying to battle her critics?

In the past year, Madonna’s Confessions on a Dance Floor broke chart records by becoming the first album to ever top 41 music charts throughout the world. Her single, “Hung Up” became her most successful international single ever, topping the charts in a record breaking 41 countries as well. Despite the political boycott from Clear Channel Radio in America, “Hung Up” still managed to become her 36th top 10 single in the United States, tying her with Elvis Presley. Perhaps this incredible exertion is Madonna’s way of saying “Thank you!” to her audience.
More likely, Madonna is battling her critics, who say she’s “too old,” “over with,” “needs to retire,” etc. The louder Madonna’s critics become (and they have become pretty loud over the past few years), the more Madonna puts out. One hopes, however, that she doesn’t develop extreme arthritis after this tour just for the purpose of proving her critics wrong. You would think that Madonna has proven herself enough after twenty five years.

The Confessions Tour-Live From London comes with a bonus CD of live performances from the concert. However, this CD is probably more useful as a Frisbee for your pet. After all, hearing the live (and over-enhanced) performances without the visuals does the music injustice. Instead, go somewhere with a large screen, pop The Confessions Tour-Live From London in your DVD player and feel yourself being taken in by an amazing performance.

Source: Blogcritics.org - Aurora, OH, USA / Written by Daryl D

JANUARY 29, 2007

Get your digital Confessions Tour from iTune

Just to let you know that Warner UK have asked us at G-A-Y to host the London launch party for the Confessions Tour DVD on Monday, 29 January

Followed by A MADONNA Party At the G-A-Y Club With A Huge MADONNA Giveaway + G-A-Y BIG BROTHER + The G-A-Y JANUARY SALE - ALL DRINKS £1:50

Warner Music Canada, in conjuction with Empire Theatres, will be providing exclusive screening of The Confessions Tour in theatres across Canada on January 29 at 7pm

The theatre locations:
Empire 7 Cinemas, Ottawa
Empire Studio 16 Country Hills, Calgary
Empire Studio 10 Square One , Mississauga
Empire Granville 7 Cinemas, Vancouver
Empire 8 Parklane, Halifax

JANUARY 26, 2007

Madonna and Guy Richie were the picture of togetherness as they stepped out for the premiere of Arthur And The Invisibles, the singer's fantasy adventure for kids, on Thursday night.

The couple, who were joined by children Lourdes and Rocco, cuddled up in London's Leicester Square.

There was no doubting the affection between the pop queen and her film-maker love as she gave him a tender hug and they held hands at the West End screening.

And although the family night out didn't include 15-month-old adopted son David Banda, when asked about him Madonna positively glowed with pride. "He's great, wonderful," she said. "He's at home sleeping."

Meanwhile Lourdes and Rocco were no doubt keen to hear their mum playing Princess Selenia in her latest screen project, which also involves the talents of David Bowie and Robert De Niro.

The singer, who was looking ultra glamorous in a Dolce & Gabbana coat and Stella McCartney shoes, admitted it had been nice to be able to adopt a much more relaxed mode of dress while making the movie. "It was great fun," she says. "I got to voice the character while sitting there in my tracksuit."

JANUARY 25, 2007

"Arthur And The Minimoys" - London Premiere

Green Carpet Arrival at The Vue Cinema West End, Leicester Square London, Great Britain

The Queen of Pop was flanked by director husband Guy Ritchie and their two excited children, Lourdes, 10, and Rocco, six, at the event.

Guy, 38, was happy to take a back seat and support the superstar as she walked down the green carpet to the clamour of her adoring fans.

Madonna, 48, whose most recent efforts in front of the camera have been panned by critics, voices the character of Princess Selenia in the new film.

She said: "It was great fun. I got to voice the character while sitting there in my tracksuit."

Asked what attracted her most to the character, pop's most powerful woman answered: "I like how tough she is and that she knows how to use a sword."

She said of the film: "I like the fact that the good guys win in the end."

Asked how 15-month-old David was, she replied: "He's wonderful thank you. He's sleeping."

Madonna, wrapped up from the cold in a Dolce & Gabbana black coat with bronze buttons and heels designed by her friend Stella McCartney, spent 20 minutes outside the Leicester Square cinema where fans waited to see her.

M by Madonna fashion line for H&M - H&M Ad Pic Released - Photo by Steven Klein

Visit madonna.connexion.free.fr for high res images

JANUARY 24, 2007

PARIS: The brief couture season moved from showmen to poets on Wednesday. And nowhere was this change of bleeding red heart more evident than at Jean Paul Gaultier.

The self-styled bad-boy designer moved from dressing Madonna to dresses inspired by the Madonna, including one with blood-red chiffon trickling over a black dress.

"Celestial and a certain serenity," Gaultier said backstage, explaining how, after the ready-to-wear razzmatazz celebrating his 30th anniversary, he wanted to find peace.

Until that 1980s Madonna classic "Like a Virgin" came up on the finale soundtrack, the show was not even a pastiche of the maidenly sweetness it presented. Instead the models came out in softly draped dresses, radiating calm — not least from the halos that framed their faces and were miracles of invention: translucent circles, gilded spikes, red roses and votive pictures.

Gaultier may have tapped the burlesque performer Dita Von Teese to inject her Gothic glamour, but for a designer who once traded in sex, androgyny and provocation, this show was womanly grace incarnate.

Of course, being Gaultier, there were still some risqué moments — not least as the models walked down a celestial stairway on high heels or when one of the silk jersey dresses with a nun's wimple was turned to reveal a corset- laced back. And there was a naughty touch to a black dress with one side of a falling bodice attached to nude tulle.

You can read all sorts of things into Gaultier's volte-face: the stirrings of religious conflict or the waning of sexual titillation. But maybe the designer just wanted to show his increasing skills as a fine couturier, with no tricks. His tailoring was precise; his draping, masterly; and everything from celestial blue satin to a cherub print to lace embroidered with a chalice seemed in perfect harmony. If glass bead tears were kitsch, they turned even well-known models into instant icons.

Riccardo Tisci has positioned himself at Givenchy as a couture poet and, as a rendition of a mysterious narrative from his creative soul, the spring/summer collection was way ahead of his earlier efforts.

"It has more of myself — and I come from a city of mermaids," said Tisci, referring to his native Taranto in Italy, which inspired the lovelorn sirens trailing trains across a wet floor as if risen like nereids from the deep. The colors, glutinous brown and algae yellow, also seemed dredged from the seabed along with a complex oceanic print. For a dry-land wardrobe, there was some fine, if complex tailoring forming lean lines under vast sailors' caps.

If the mermaids' tails were clipped, there were beautiful evening dresses — although who needs a big gala gown? The same applies to today's Ladies Who Lunch in casual clothes rather than pinstriped coats folded over the hips.

Tisci is a young designer unfamiliar with the life of the clients he is serving. Yet he is slowly reinflating Givenchy, where the vendeuses are used to turning fantasy into reality. A sleek, long- sleeved black dress with bared elbows will make a chic cocktail dress. And much can be made of the appealing naval details, like lines of silver buttons at the wrists.

What is still missing at Givenchy is the notion that "elegance is refusal." But there are signs that Tisci is listening to whispers of reality above the mermaids' siren call.

Martin Margiela had the last word on couture as art, when the king of luxurious recycling sent out a dress made of painted canvases found in the flea market to join a jacket made of travel bags and a top snipped from sneakers.

Lesage and Elbaz honored

A five-minute standing ovation of applause and bravos greeted the master embroiderer François Lesage on Wednesday as he was made an "officier" of the Legion d'Honneur of France.

Surrounded by friends and sustained by Chanel, which supports his embroidery house, an emotional Lesage accepted the honor from Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, who also will honor the Lanvin designer Alber Elbaz on Thursday.

Françoise Montenay, president of Chanel, praised Lesage's ability to get under the skin of each couturier. "He interprets things differently for each designer," she said.
"He really has embroidery in his soul."

JANUARY 19, 2007

Madonna had one of the best-selling, sold-out concert tours of 2006 and for the first time exclusively in Asia, Channel [V] presents Madonna Confessions Tour Live in London tomorrow at 2pm, with a repeat on Sunday at 7pm.

This two-hour concert was filmed at Wembley Arena as part of a 25-city world tour, and sees Madonna performing songs from her hit album Confessions on a Dance Floor, as well as her greatest hits from an illustrious and colourful career.

Madonna's last album Confessions on a Dance Floor made it to No.1 on the charts in 29 countries and sold over eight million copies worldwide.
Over the span of her career, she has had international record sales of over 200 million albums.

JANUARY 18, 2007

"Loved it! A large part of the public will forever hold Madonna in contempt and no matter what she does they will always find fault with her," says Britton T. "In fact, it was very well presented and almost self explanatory," says S. Freire.

"The performance inspired me to want to be a better human being, and even as a Catholic, I found that it was not the least bit offensive," related Ryan D.

Eleven percent of you thought the segment had good intentions but was a little off the mark. "After watching the show on HBO, I must confess I was moved by this number ('Live to Tell') and thought the message was a positive one, and it was very clear. Having said that, I personally would not choose this way to get the message across, simply because I feel that impersonating Jesus in pop concert is going a little too far," said LC.

Folks like Matt B. fell in the 14% of the camp: No one can tell you what to think if you didn't even see it. "People need to stop worrying about what other people do... I hate Madonna, but I don't give a rats a** what the hell she does as long as it doesn't affect me and I don't have to be a witness."

Madonna pulls acts like these to stay in the headlines? That's what 13% of you thought.

Nearly 10% of you were offended by her bit, some for religious reasons. "It would be nice to think that Madonna has finally become a sincere 'peace maker' with the use of the greatest symbol of the Christian religion ... but based on her [history] and portrayal of Christianity, I have serious doubts," says JNC. "To quote [Madonna]: 'I believe in my heart that if Jesus were alive today' He is alive, my dear, and he's coming back. You can ask Him face to face what He thinks of the foolish mockery," steamed Sandy T.

But of our favorite response came from Brian H. of Grand Rapids, Mich.: "At this point, it really shouldn't matter what this lady does. If I'm paying $300+ on tickets for the show, she better be on a damn cross! Either that, or singing to me on my lap." Touché.

The new trend in shoes appears to be the designs of Alejandro Ingelmo who has created an exclusive range for UK posh department store Harvey Nichols.

Madonna is a fan and donned them for her latest adverts for her collection at H&M where she chose the peep-toe patent high heels and then sent Mr Ingelmo a personal note of thanks to show her appreciation. Miami-born Mr Ingelmo comes from a long line of show-makers and was inspired by four generations of cobbling and the designs of his Spanish grandfather.

His designs for spring/summer 1007 are dazzling in their vivid array of colours reminiscent of vibrant Miami coastlines.

He studied at New York's Parsons School of Design and says his desire is "to marry classical motifs with modern day street style".
A Los Angeles graffiti and tattoo artist called Mister Cartoon helped him design his logo and his shoes are currently sold across the US and online.

Since beginning her career in the early 1980s, Madonna has sold some 200 million albums worldwide and starred in films. She owns an impressive portfolio of properties and briefly ran her own record label, Maverick, a part of Warner Music Group. Our estimate of her net worth--$325 million--is definitely on the conservative side.

1. Oprah Winfrey
2. J.K. Rowling
3. Martha Stewart
4. Madonna
5. Celine Dion

JANUARY 17, 2007

The star, who once famously said Manolo Blahnik shoes were "better than sex", loved Ingelmo's shoes so much, she even wrote him a personal thank you note. A third-generation cobbler originally from Miami, Ingelmo was inspired by his grandfather's designs and consequently moved to New York when his label took off. The bright tones used in his spring/summer 2007 collection are inspired by the dazzling coastal colours and vibrant atmosphere of his native Miami. Definitely worth a look.

Golden Globe winner Dama Helen Mirren finds Madonna's controversial 1992 SEX book inspirational - and admits she holds the star's outspoken sexual views in high regard. Sixty-one-year-old Mirren, whose reputation for stripping off in films often obscured her acting ability, insists she hated having to play a certain type of "sexy female" in the past - but admires Madonna's "fantastic" and unique grasp of her sexual self.

She says, "The thing that was imposed on me from the outside was crude and vulgar and distressful to me, and disturbing - that big t**s, blonde hair, DIANA DORS, blowsy kind of thing.

"I think Madonna got it right. Madonna claimed it for herself, and I've always admired her for that. I loved that Sex book she did. I thought it was fantastic, because it was a big two fingers up. This is my sexuality, it's not what you put on me, it's mine."

JANUARY 15, 2007

The singer’s producer Stuart Price has revealed the pair are currently working on a new record and has promised fans it will herald a “new sound” for Madonna.

Price - who masterminded her last LP ‘Confessions On A Dance Floor’ which was both a critical and commercial success – has also revealed that the duo have enlisted the services of some of the biggest names in music.

He said: “We have been working with some of the top producers that are in fashion right now.”Although Price is refusing to divulge the names, rumours are rife that both Timbaland and Pharrell Williams could be among the collaborators.

Before the new album comes out Madonna, 48, is releasing a live album, ‘The Confessions Tour Live From London', on January 29.
A DVD of the recorded concert will also be available.

JANUARY 14, 2007

Madonna's new 3D movie Arthur + The Invisibles has been disqualified from competing for an Oscar - because it isn't animated enough.

Oscars officials claim the film, which also features the voices of Freddie Highmore, Mia Farrow and Jimmy Fallon, includes a disproportionate percentage of live action, and have ruled it ineligible for a Best Animated Film Academy Award.

JANUARY 11, 2007

Source: New York Post

Madonna on The Late Show with David Letterman

Arriving (5pm) at CBS Studios in Manhattan, NYC

Dave: Hey, it’s Madonna. How was your holiday?
Madonna and the family went to a far off island by themselves.

Madonna: Very exotic.

Madonna: Does Dave go anyplace exotic?
Dave: I have a timeshare in the Poconos.

Madonna is the biggest of the pop stars, so Dave asks, “Let me ask you a question. You and I pretty much started out at the same time. Some of your current pop stars have been going around without their underpants. What do you make of that?

Madonna: I don’t get it, either. It’s too cold to go without underpants. Personally, I have no problem with it.

There is a new family member in the Madonna family; David, 15 months old. Dave sizes up the family, “You have 2 other daughters, is that correct?”

Madonna is a bit upset that Dave doesn’t know she has 2 sons and one daughter. Doh! At least he was close. Madonna changes the subject for a moment, mentioning she was with Regis that morning.

Madonna: I saw Regis this morning. He’s a bit threatened by you.
Dave: Sure, now that he needs a walker.
Madonna: Regis is my morning man and you are my night man.

Dave likes that.

About Madonna’s new child. She adopted young David from Malawi. Dave tells what he knows about Malawi while Madonna fills in some of the blanks. There’s been a bit of controversy surrounding the adoption; some wondering if Madonna went through the proper channels. Madonna contends she did everything according to the law and followed every legal procedure. Dave defends Madonna and lauds her for what she’s done. Dave: You’re able to adopt a lovely young boy. Good for you. And then everyone starts shooting their mouth off.” He continues, “When you adopt, what you have done is basically saved a life. So what these people who are criticizing you should do is just shut up.

Madonna has been with young the 15-month-old David for two months now and is already making his demands known. Dave understands how that can be.

Dave: They really can’t do anything for themselves; they can’t feed themselves, they can’t dress themselves, yet they get the run of the whole house.” And that’s the way it is with kids.

Madonna’s new film, Arthur and the Invisibles, opens Friday. Her DVD/CD Her DVD/CD of her Confessions Tour will be available in stores on January 30th.

Source: CBS

NEW YORK (AP) -- When Madonna initiated the adoption of a Malawian boy, she was "saving a life," the singer told David Letterman on Thursday, as she called for increased adoption from the African nation.

"There's over a million orphans in Malawi, and in my opinion the laws need to change because these children need to be rescued," the Material Mom said on CBS's "Late Show."

Madonna, 48, said she had been warned that pursuing an adoption from the country could be difficult.

"My social worker ... said, 'Good luck. You're going to be making it up as you go along,'" the pop star recalled. "She didn't say don't do it, but she just said expect challenges, and, boy, did we get them."

Madonna and her husband, movie director Guy Ritchie, 38, have been allowed to take 1-year-old David Banda to their home in London. She has two other children, Lourdes, 9, and Rocco, 6.

Yohane Banda surrendered his son to an orphanage after his wife died last year. The couple's two other sons died in infancy from malaria. Banda has said he wants David to stay with Madonna and Ritchie.

Human rights groups in Malawi have said they are concerned the government cut legal corners to fast-track the adoption and they want adoption laws there clarified. A November court ruling allowed a coalition of rights groups to monitor the process.

On the show Thursday, Letterman voiced support for the adoption.
"I found it a little upsetting that there was such a tumult and furor over this when in fact the net result was here we have a human being that now has a life," he said.

Earlier Thursday, Madonna stood up for her friend Rosie O'Donnell in the comedienne's ongoing feud with Donald Trump.

"People are giving Rosie a hard time," Madonna, who starred with O'Donnell in 1992's "A League of Their Own," said Thursday on NBC's "Today" show. "I wish they'd stop. I don't think it's fair."

"I don't know exactly the content of what she said," Madonna continued, "but I have a feeling that if every stand-up comic was penalized for saying politically incorrect things or provocative things, I think they'd all be hung in the public square."

Leaving the CBS Studios in Manhattan, NYC - some fans got very lucky that day cause The Queen of Pop have signed some photos

Arriving at the Tribeca Cinemas in Manhattan, NYC

Press Conference at the Tribeca Cinemas

Photo: The Associated Press

Madonna on Live with Regis & Kelly at 9 AM

Source: ABC Live with Regis & Kelly

In her first-ever live TODAY interview, the pop princess discusses new motherhood, her new movie, and sticks up for her friend Rosie

NO DAY LIKE TODAY - Madonna gets chummy with Today show hosts Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira outside the morning show's New York City studio Thursday, where the pop star promoted the animated feature Arthur and the Invisibles. The singer, who at one point playfully donned Lauer's hat, also commented on her growing family and pal Rosie O'Donnell's feud with Donald Trump.

On this morning's TODAY, Madonna became the latest celebrity to weigh in on the Donald Trump-Rosie O'Donnell feud.

"People are giving Rosie a hard time. I wish they'd stop, I don't think it's fair" the singer told TODAY's Meredith Vieira in her first-ever live interview on the morning show. The pop star said she first heard about the flap while on vacation in the Indian Ocean and immediately sent O'Donnell an email. The two have been good friends since they starred in 1992's "A League of Their Own."

"I don't know exactly the context of what she said," Madonna told Vieira Thursday morning. "I have to hear it from the horse's mouth. She's a standup comic. All standup comics talk about provocative things in their monologues before shows."

The pop icon's remarks came during a wide-ranging interview that was delayed because the international superstar was late (she blamed it on her hair). Showing up without a coat because she was told about last week's unseasonably warm weather in New York, Madonna spoke about the latest developments in her own life — including the child she adopted and a new movie.

Madonna was in New York promoting her latest project, providing the voice of the beautiful Princess Selenia in the new animated feature "Arthur and the Invisibles." Later in the day she was scheduled to host special screenings of the movie at two city charter schools.

The 48-year-old singer didn't discuss the headline-grabbing controversy surrounding her planned adoption of David Banda, a one-year-old boy from the impoverished African nation of Malawi. She also steered clear of any reference to Angelina Jolie's remarks about the adoption in a French gossip magazine. A furious Jolie has since told People magazine that her remarks were twisted.

Early last year, Madonna founded "Raising Malawi," an orphan care initiative to help Malawi's estimated one million orphans.

In an interview with Vieira that aired on TODAY in November, Madonna said all the attention on David’s adoption was actually a blessing. “Now people know about Malawi. Now people know about the orphans there. And now David’s home."

In today's interview, the singer said that family life with three kids is "amazing" and that her daughter Lourdes, 10, babysits for David. (She also has a son Rocco, 6, with husband Guy Ritchie.)

Madonna said she enjoyed her role of "Arthur and the Invisibles," in which she co-stars along with the voices of Robert De Niro, Jimmy Fallon, David Bowie, Mia Farrow, because it was a departure from fans' image of her.

"They perceive me as a queen, not a princess," Madonna joked. "And I don’t normally fall in love with 10-year-olds."

The first animated feature by filmmaker Luc Besson ("La Femme Nikita," "The Fifth Element") is about a boy who sets out to save his family home from real estate developers after his grandfather disappears. Arthur discovers that he must follow his grandfather's clues to a vast treasure, and unlock the gateway to a new world filled with mysterious little people whose help he must enlist.

Madonna's character is one of the tiny people who help Arthur. Madonna herself has penned critically acclaimed children's books, including "The Adventures of Abdi," "The English Roses," and "Lotsa de Casha."

Of her role she said: "I play a princess, which is new for me. I just loved the idea of playing a character where I can create a fantasy world that has nothing to do with who I am, or what people associate with me."

At the start of the interview at 8:39 a.m. ET, Madonna waved at the crowd outside the TODAY studio and asked “Why are they up so early?” She said she had so far avoided a live interview on TODAY because “I don’t like getting up and talking to people this early.” She said she agreed to come on the show at the behest of the film’s producer.

"I saw my career flashing before my eyes when they said you weren't here," Vieira told Madonna, when the star hadn't arrived at the studio quite in time for the planned 8:35 a.m. spot.

“I’m always seeing my career flash before my eyes,” Madonna said of her chronic lateness.

When asked about her friendship with Britney Spears, with whom she shared an infamous kiss at the 2003 Grammys, Madonna said the two have drifted apart. “We shared a kiss and I never saw her again. That’s how it goes in my life,” the singer joked.

After the interview Madonna headed outside to the plaza to greet fans.
Madonna, who lives mainly in England, told Vieira that she misses New York City. “I keep telling my husband I want to come back here and I want to live here,” she said.

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