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Madonna Album Goes to Number One

Vanessa Baker — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:17:51 +0000

Madonna’s greatest hits album, Celebration, has reached number one on the charts in the United Kingdom, reports Perez Hilton. This is the eleventh time the songstress has reached the top spot across the pond, tying her with Elvis and putting her right behind The Beatles for most number one albums.

The most successful female solo artist of all time has also entered the British record books for spending more weeks than any other female solo artist- 29 – at the top of the Official UK Album Chart and having the most number one singles for a female solo artist – 13. She has had the number one album and single simultaneously four times, a record for a female solo artist.

Madonna’s recent Sticky & Sweet tour was the highest grossing tour in history for a female artist.

Michael Jackson Tribute Album in the Works

Vanessa Baker — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 19:28:47 +0000

Madonna, Mariah Carey, Beyonce and Robbie Williams are just a few of the superstars planning to record numbers for an upcoming Michael Jackson tribute album, reports the Daily Star. Whitney Houston, Usher and 12-year-old Shaheen Jafargholi of Britain’s Got Talent will also reportedly be featured alongside legends like Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and Lionel Richie.

“The idea came from the memorial concert,” said a source. “Many fans asked if cover versions would be released and it seemed a wonderful idea. Some of the biggest stars in the world have indicated they’d like to take part to pay their own respects and tribute to the King of Pop. This cover album is sure to be a massive worldwide hit with fans and could raise a fortune for Michael’s favourite charities.”

Jafargholi, who performed “Who’s Loving You” at the memorial held for Jackson in Los Angeles, will record that track, as well as the song “Ben.” Carey will be singing “I’ll Be There,” while Williams will perform “Man in the Mirror.”

Williams said his new studio album will also pay tribute to the late pop star. “It’s all so very sad,” he said. “I couldn’t get a lyric to fit on one of the new songs, so when Michael passed away I rewrote it with him in mind.”

Williams and Houston have been asked to perform some of the dates planned for Jackson’s 50 day run at London’s O2 Arena. A live concert involving the Jackson family and other guests is being planned at the venue for August 29, which would have been the singer’s 51st birthday.

Madonna’s Ex Chris Paciello Being Sued

Vanessa Baker — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:40:17 +0000

Chris Paciello, who dated Madonna, is being accused of convincing a police friend to arrest his former business partner on fake charges for driving under the influence, reports Perez Hilton. Sandy Sachs, who owned the restaurant Murano in West Hollywood with Paciello, says he organized her arrest out of revenge after she sued him for failing to deliver on a $600,000 investment.

Sachs’ lawyer, Gerson Horn, says dispatch tapes from April 16 of this year reveal Paciello telling Sheriff Ralph Garay to arrest Sachs. Garay was off-duty at the time, but still made a call for the arrest.

The police initially reported there was “no evidence Sandy was drunk.” However, they subsequently went to her home to arrest her.

Horn alleges police “threw her to the ground, handcuffed and pummelled her. Her body was covered with bruises.”

No charges were laid against Sachs, who tested within the legal alcohol limit. She is seeking to charge the Los Angeles Police Department with battery, wrongful arrest and civil rights violations.

Paciello spent time in jail after pleading guilty to robbery and being an accomplice to murder after a 1993 incident in which a woman was killed after he planned an invasion of her home.

Madonna Visits Injured

Vanessa Baker — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 04:26:16 +0000

Madonna arrived in Marseille, France, Sunday morning to visit some of the patients hospitalized after a stadium collapsed in the city during set-up for her concert, originally scheduled for Sunday, reports E! Online. The accident occurred Thursday, killing two and injuring more than 30.

Workers from the accident are being treated at three hospitals in the city. It is unknown how many Madonna will visit.

“I am devastated to have just received this tragic news,” said the pop star. “My prayers go out to those who were injured and their families, along with my deepest sympathy to all those affected by this heartbreaking news.”

The emotional singer performed Thursday night in Udine, Italy. “We’re here to give life and to inspire life,” she told the crowd. I feel so, so devastated to be in any way associated with anyone’s suffering. Let’s all just take a moment to appreciate life in general. We are all so blessed and so lucky to be alive.”

French authorities have begun a manslaughter investigation.

Madonna will continue her world tour with a sold-out show in Barcelona on Tuesday.

Stage For Madonna Concert Collapses, Killing One

Ilan Mester — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:05:50 +0000

A person was killed Thursday (July 16) when the stage for Madonna’s Marseille, France, concert collapsed, according to the Associated Press who reported that an additional six workers were injured due to the accident.

The stage for the queen of pop’s Sticky and Sweet show fell apart at the Stade Vélodrome while under construction at approximately 5:15 p.m. local time, according to reports. The identities of the individuals affected by the incident were not released immediately.

TMZ is reporting that Madonna issued the following statement regarding the incident: “I am devastated to have just received this tragic news. My prayers go out to those who were injured and their families along with my deepest sympathy to all those affected by this heartbreaking news.”

According to BBC News, Maurice Di Nocera, Marseille city councilor, said the frame of the stage “started shaking and collapsing” prior to the accident.

Fans from Marseille won’t be seeing Madonna perform in concert as it has been cancelled in the wake of the collapse.

Britney Spears Considers Judaism

Vanessa Baker — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:40:22 +0000

Perez Hilton reports Britney Spears is considering converting to Judaism for her latest love interest, her agent Jason Trawick. She has been seen wearing a Star of David necklace and has enlisted the help of a rabbi to guide her along her spiritual path.

“Britney wants to try the religion Jason was brought up with,” said a source close to her.

In 2005, the 27-year-old Christian dabbled in Kabbalah on the advice of Madonna.

Angelina Jolie Considered The Most Powerful Celebrity

Ilan Mester — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:10:21 +0000

Angelina Jolie managed to take the post previously held by Oprah Winfrey on Ford’s list of The World’s Most Powerful Celebrities.

Their reason: She’s a gossip column favourite and never fails to get Oscar nods. But most importantly, Jolie’s latest blockbuster “Wanted” raked in an impressive $340 million at the box office.

Oprah doesn’t have too much to worry about. The self-made billionaire came in second and shows no signs of slowing down. Winfrey continues to host “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and a monthly magazine. The talk-show host has also sealed herself a three-year $55 million contract with XM Satellite radio and has developed a partnership with Discovery Communications to create an Oprah Winfrey Network.

Madonna rounded up the Top 3. Her “Hard Candy” album was named the top-grossing 2008 international tour, bringing in a hefty $280 million for the queen of pop. She managed to keep herself in the papers with her alleged affair with baseball player Alex Rodriquez and the end of her marriage with director Guy Ritchie became a tabloid hit.

Paparazzi to Blame For Madonna Spill

Joelle Tomlinson — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 03:00:42 +0000

Horseback riding may not be the best hobby for the Material Mom, Madonna.

According to E! online, Madonna ended up in a Long Island hospital after falling off her horse during a weekend ride in the Hamptons—an incident her publicist blames on paparazzi.

The site goes on to state that spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg said “The accident occurred when the horse Madonna was riding was startled by paparazzi who jumped out of the bushes to photograph the singer.” Us Weekly first reported the spill.

The 50-year-old pop icon was released after being treated for “minor injuries and bruises” at a Southampton hospital, says Rosenberg.

Injuries are no new thing for Madonna. Back in August 2005, she suffered serious injuries after a fall from a horse at her British estate. The music mogul broke her collarbone, cracked three ribs and fractured a hand. To add insult to injury, the mishap took place on her 47th birthday.

Material Mom Speaks Out About Failed Adoption

Joelle Tomlinson — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:15:03 +0000

Madonna is speaking out for the first time about her failed adoption bid of 3-year-old Mercy James, reports E! online.

“I want to provide Mercy with a home, a loving family environment and the best education and healthcare possible,” the 50-year-old popstar told Malawi’s Nation on Sundaynewspaper, according to Reuters. ”And it’s my hope that she, like David, will one day return to Malawi and help the people of their country.”

In March, a Malawi judge rejected the Material Mom’s request because of a law restricting non-residents from adopting children. Madonna has appealed the decision.

“Though I have been advised that I cannot publicly discuss the pending appeal regarding my desire to adopt Mercy, I do want to say how much I appreciate the level of support that I have received from the people of Malawi and my friends around the world,” she said.

Despite the law, Madonna successfully adopted son David Banda, now 3, from Malawi in 2006. Complications have arisen from the biological father of David, but their communication has been kept under wraps since his outburst earlier in the year.

Madonna Adoption Petition Denied

Joelle Tomlinson — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 22:09:23 +0000

Madonna’s petition to adopt a second child from Malawi was rejected by a judge on Friday, April 3rd.

According to chartattack.com, Madonna flew to the southeast African country to try and adopt three-year-old Chifundo James, whose first name translates as “Mercy” in English. But Judge Esme Chombo, a judge in Malawi’s capital of Lilongwe, said prospective parents must live in Malawi for 18 to 24 months before they can adopt a Malawian child.

“The decision came down to residency requirement and the fact that the judge believes she was being well taken care of in the orphanage,” Zione Ntaba, a spokeswoman for the Malawi Justice Department, told CNN.

“For the Malawians, the fact that the child is at an orphanage, is being taken care of and is going through the school education system, that does qualify as the best interests of a child.”

Madonna had filed a petition that said James’ mother died soon after she was born and her grandmother was unable to take care of her.

“I am able and willing to securely provide for Chifundo James and make her a permanent and established member of my family,” the singer wrote in the petition. “To deny Chifundo James the opportunity to be adopted by me could expose her to hardship and emotional trauma which is otherwise avoidable.”

Ex-husband Guy Ritchie has spoken out regarding the rejection, insisting that Madonna is a good mother and that he was saddened upon hearing about the application denial for the Material Mother.