(Albert Crudo's "McDonna: Over a Billion Serviced")
Here's a treat for Madonna fans - and we KNOW you're out there! The WOW Storefront Gallery at 6650 Hollywood Blvd is having a spectacular opening on Friday, May 23, called "Dial M for Madonna" and it's all about Madonna inspired art. Over forty artists are showing images of her decades long career in the form of paintings, sculptures, photography and videos. Be sure to check out the conical bra made of chocolate. Oh, and help yourself to all the Kabbalah water you can drink.
Photo Credit: Splash News
Madonna turned up at the Tribeca Film Festival for the opening of her documentary "I Am Because We Are" about the plight of Malawi children. Madonna, who wrote and narrated the film, was NOT accompanied by her husband Guy Ritchie (maybe he's actually working) but she was sporting yet another red string. We're assuming the Kabbalists have nothing to do with this project simply because it's not likely to make a profit.
Photo Credit: Splash News
Madonna remembers what SHE was like as a teenager and she's bracing herself for the worst with her 13 year old daughter Lourdes. Imagine her consternation when Lourdes told her she wanted to move in with her biological father, Carlos Leon! Lourdes is still very close with her mother, but she's growing up fast and she yearns to live in Manhattan and spend more time with her father. She loves her stepfather Guy Ritchie, but he's not her real dad. Madonna isn't thrilled with the idea, but she has agreed to allow Lourdes to spend her summer vacation with Carlos in New York.
Photo Credit: Splash News
Madonna is putting Gwyneth Paltrow through her paces in the UK - she's teaching Gwyneth how she disciplines herself every day in the gym. They've been friends for years and Madonna credits herself with helping Gwyneth give up smoking. Gwyneth smoked two packs a day until Madonna started pushing her to break the nasty habit.
We couldn't help but laugh at this poster that the UK's Daily Mail created making fun of Madonna in Casablanca. They say she's been shopping around a project that is a remake of the Oscar winning classic movie with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Madonna's updated version takes place in war-torn Iraq. Best of all, Madonna wants to STAR in the role made famous by Ingrid Bergman. So far studios are passing, her remake of another classic, "Swept Away," is perhaps too fresh in their minds.
Remember that excited guy in Las Vegas who announced that he had stumbled upon what he thought was a very rare nude photograph of Marilyn Monroe? His name is Lawrence Nicastro, he's 73, and he invited reporters to take a look at the poster size picture. He figured it was taken when Monroe filmed The Misfits in Las Vegas in 1960 and he found it in a box stored in someone's garage. He was SO embarrassed when a newsman pointed out that it was actually Madonna! It was the nude hitchhiking picture that Steven Meisel snapped for her Sex book in 1992. Madonna must be flattered, but she might not be thrilled to see this photo plastered all over the internet again because of her kids. Which is worse, mother hitchhiking nude or smoking a cigarette?
Photo Credit: Splash News
Madonna is back in Los Angeles and she and her little David were seen dashing here and there. David is really growing up fast and he looks like a LOAD to carry, but Madonna's strong - she schlepped him all around and returned to the car without a groan.
Photo Credit: Wire Image
Madonna wore a deceivingly sexy dress to the Berlin Film Festival and she looked fabulous, but her movie didn't fare too well. Madonna's first directorial effort "Filth and Wisdom" was supposed to be a short film but she insisted they stretch it into feature length. It's about a group of young flat-mates in London trying to make it. The leading character is a Ukrainian immigrant with a gypsy punk band. Sounds interesting, doesn't it? Critics there didn't like it, but we still want to see it.
Madonna and her daughter Lourdes,11, DO look great at her "Raising Malawi" Kabbalah charity event in New York. It's noteworthy how cultmembers seem to support other cults, even when the tickets cost around $2000. Scientologists Tom and Katie Cruise were there along with Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony and Tom's friend Brooke Shields. Kabbalists Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher and Gwyneth Paltrow mingled with everyone. Were there red string bracelets in the goody bags?
Photo Credit: Splash News
Rihanna's new haircut looks great on her (although it would drive us nuts to have hair over our eyes) and her black leather-like outfit is perfect for New York. She's in Manhattan for fashion week and so far she's involved in two charity events - one for H&M, and she's performing at Madonna's gala to raise money for her Malawi charity. The charity was founded by Madonna and the leader of her Kabbalah cult, so it does make one wonder where THAT money goes. And will there be a red string bracelet waiting in Rihanna's dressing room?
The good news is that Nike offered Guy Ritchie a job directing a series of short movies starring their wide variety of workout gear. It's a great opportunity to show off his creativity and they're paying him a whole lot of money. Everything was fine until the Nike people started dropping hints that they'd love to have his workout fanatic wife Madonna involved in the project. Somewhat embarrassing for the accomplished director, but Guy's giving it a try and it will be interesting to see if Madonna cooperates.
So what if Madonna fell off a horse in 2005 and broke her collarbone, ribs and hand in the accident! A minor setback for a girl who loves horses. While vacationing in India for New Years' she got right back on this gorgeous Marwari thoroughbred and had a two hour ride in the desert. Guy and the kids didn't join her.
