Madonna launches 'MDNA' with a spree of personal appearances

Madonna is one busy modern woman: The heavily guarded pop queen gave herself up to the masses this weekend in support of the Monday release of her new record, "MDNA."

Kicking off on Saturday afternoon, Madge cruised through the offices of Facebook for a live chat moderated by a gushing Jimmy Fallon. Taking fan questions and teasing the late night host, Madonna didn't disappoint.

"People need to be more disciplined when they ask questions," she vamped with arched eyebrows as fans asked gems like what would she do if she were elected president in November.

"First of all, I'd take all the money from defense and put it in education ... gay marriage would be legal everywhere," she waxed, adding: "There would be no restrictions on any of my videos ever."

Indeed, a clip for her single "Girl Gone Wild" was deemed too hot for underage YouTube users, but in the days leading up to an album release, does that kind of attention detract from her latest roster of dance tracks?

Certainly not for the wild crowds at Miami's Ultra Music Festival, where Madonna decamped to after her Facebook stop. Introducing DJ Avicii, the Material Mom played to the audience with hype quotes on stage like, "I can honestly say a DJ saved my life." 

She also posed the question, "Has anyone in this crowd seen Molly?," referring to slang for the popular club drug MDMA, a.k.a. ecstasy. Some folks aren't happy with the reference, but again -- does this hurt her chart chances?

Not with a massive groundswell from fans, including celebs such as Ashton Kutcher.

"I think MDNA taking over Fab.com for the day is pretty badass," Kutcher tweeted of the chic group-sale site in which he's an investor, which offered the album at a reduced price of $7.99 for its members. 

Don't expect to see less of Madonna in the coming days, either. "MDMA" will get a worldwide tour in the coming months, and expect her new fragrance Truth or Dare at the top of April.  

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-- Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Jimmy Fallon and Madonna hang out at the New York offices of Facebook on March 24. Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images

Madonna is a 'Girl Gone Wild' in sultry new video

 
Madonna's new music video for the track "Girl Gone Wild" hit on Wednesday and is a fitting return to the singer's roots. 

All the better that the forthcoming album is titled "MDNA," as the clip is heavily rooted in her "Erotica" days: We're talking bondage, muscle, weapons and smoke. 

Not only is the sizzle factor trademark Madonna, but note the spoken intro (video above), a sort of prayer of penance for just being bad. She'll take you there. 

"She pushes things along at a rather forceful pace," said William Orbit, producer and longtime Madge collaborator, of this new project, "...but when she's on the mike, or listening, it's total, total concentration." 

Concentrate on the video, directed by fashion photography team Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, then tell us your thoughts in comments.   

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-- Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Madonna poses with her Golden Globe statuette for original song for "Masterpiece" at the 69th Golden Globe Awards in January. Credit: Paul Buck / EPA

Madonna stalker Robert Hoskins returned to SoCal mental hospital

Robert Dewey Hoskins, who served a 10-year sentence for stalking Madonna, has been found and returned to the mental hospital he escaped from last week, authorities said Friday.

Hoskins was arrested not far from the Norwalk hospital he walked out of on Feb. 3, L.A. Now reported.

The 54-year-old "is a very psychotic man when not taking his medication and has very violent tendencies," police had said in a statement.

CONVICTED: Details from Hoskins' stalking of Madonna

Hoskins in 1995 made repeated forays onto Madonna's property and threatened to kill the pop star, her bodyguard and an assistant; he was convicted in 1996.

Homeless at the time of the multiple incidents, Hoskins was finally shot twice in the arm by one of Madonna's bodyguards after he'd scaled a wall to get onto her property, taken a dip in her pool and lunged for the bodyguard's gun. Previously, he had threatened to kill Madonna if she did not marry him, saying, "I'm going to slice her throat from ear to ear."

In addition to stalking Madonna, Hoskins was convicted of threatening to kill the bodyguard and Madonna's personal assistant, and of assaulting the bodyguard.

Madonna, who took the stand during the 1996 trial, testified that she felt "sick to my stomach.... I feel incredibly disturbed that the man who repeatedly threatened my life is sitting across the room from me. I feel we are making his fantasies come true."

Following his release, Hoskins was arrested last summer on vandalism charges and was placed in Metropolitan State Hospital, E! News reported.

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Photos: Robert Dewey Hoskins in court in 1996 (Credit: Nick Ut / Associated Press); Madonna at the 2012 Super Bowl (Christopher Polk / Getty Images).

Halle Berry stalker suspect arrested after third alleged trespass in three days

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Madonna will welcome LMFAO to Super Bowl halftime stage

Madonna's Super Bowl halftime debut is coming together nicely, thanks to a Black Eyed Pea and some animal-print pants.

The queen of pop will grace the nation's biggest football showdown Feb. 5 in Indianapolis -- and who better to help her put the act together than one of last year's headliners, Will.i.am, who played with his fellow Black Eyed Peas, Fergie, apl.d.ap and Taboo.

"I'm going to the Super Bowl this year to see my group LMFAO perform with Madonna," Will told radio station Capital FM, revealing that his "Party Rock" crew will hit the stage with Madge.

"Check that out, Will.i.am Music Group is pretty freaking two for two! One year the Super Bowl, the next year another group part of the Super Bowl in collaboration with Madonna. That's still happening."

Madonna's no stranger to inventive collaborations. Naturally her 2003 VMA kiss with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera caused an international sensation. In 2006,the material girl tapped band Gorillaz to debut her single "Hung Up."

Are you excited for Madonna's halftime show? Tell us in comments.

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-- Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Madonna performs in Belgrade, Serbia, in 2009. Credit: Srdjan Ilic / Associated Press

Golden Globes: Madonna hopes Elton John will one day forgive her

Madonna, the Golden Globe winner for original song, is currently juggling a lot of creative endeavors — but before talking about any of that backstage at the Golden Globes, she had a few things to say about her derrière.
 
"I'm just dancing," she said, revealing she's not the Pilates nut she used to be. "The best thing for your bum is dancing."
 
She showed off that fit 53-year-old body in a Reem Acra dress: "I feel like I’m wearing chain mail, and I'm ready to go into battle." (Perhaps she can hang onto it for her upcoming Super Bowl halftime show?)

The multi-hyphenate, whose "Masterpiece" from "W.E." beat Elton John's "Hello Hello" from "Gnomeo & Juliet" for original song, said of her fellow nominee, "I hope he speaks to me for the next million years. He'll win another award though, so I don’t feel bad."
 
Madonna said that for her upcoming album, "MDNA," she's enjoying working with producer Martin Solveig again. "I love his sound. It’s really fresh. It doesn't sound like anybody else's."
 
Fans of the queen of pop should expect to work their smile muscles upon its release — the word she used to describe its sound was "happy."

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Photo: Madonna backstage Sunday with her original song Golden Globe. Credit: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

Madonna, Demi Moore light up CAA Golden Globes bash

Talent agency CAA populates most of film and television with its star clients above and below the line, and managed to coax seemingly all of them to the Soho House in West Hollywood on Friday.

As part of the agency's annual pre-Golden Globes celebration, the whole of the exclusive club was occupied by nominees and their famous cheerleaders. Where to begin? Madonna, Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Reese Witherspoon, Diddy, Michael Fassbender, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bradley Cooper, Jamie Foxx. 

And that's to name a few. Some of our favorite scenes from the CAA bash were ...

Girl talk: Madonna sat on the rear patio in a form-fitting red dress and motorcycle gloves with Demi Moore and some agent types, and kept cool as a cucumber when Moore's ex Ashton Kutcher breezed in with his newly shaved face. 

Boys club: DiCaprio is still in "Gatsby" mode -- the actor held court F. Scott Fitzgerald style on a side patio with Orlando Bloom for hours, laughing and sharing an electronic cigarette. Bloom's gal Miranda Kerr kept up with them no problem, sipping Grey Goose cocktails and laughing with the boys.

Everyone loves Cameron: Honestly, Diaz was Miss Congeniality. Entering the fete with her "Knight and Day" costar Tom Cruise, Diaz was received with hugs, kisses and squeals by everyone from Witherspoon and Chelsea Handler to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Jason Statham. Diddy stuck close to Cammy all evening.

Babysitters Club: Hollywood parents used CAA as the perfect excuse to hit the town, like Witherspoon and her agent husband Jim Toth, Robert Downey Jr. (no sight of pregnant wife Susan) and Robert DeNiro -- who welcomed a baby with Grace Hightower in December.

Also spotted: Axl Rose, Sean Penn, Ryan Kwanten, Alexander Skarsgard, Gerard Butler, Julianne Moore, Jason Bateman, Nick Nolte and couple Salma Hayek and Francois Pinault.

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-- Matt Donnelly
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Photo: Madonna and Demi Moore pal around at the CAA pre-Golden Globes party.

 

Guy Ritchie calls marriage to Madonna a 'soap opera'

Guy Ritchie is in a philosophical space lately, or rather philosophical in a promotional space for his upcoming "Sherlock Holmes" sequel, and a recent talk turned to his former wife, Madonna.

"It's definitely not something I regret. The experience was ultimately very positive," he tells Details of his marriage to Madge. "I love the kids that came out of it and I could see no other route to take. But you move on, don't you?"

Both he and Madonna have had multiple loves since their 2008 split but Ritchie isn't done waxing on their whirlwind union -- complete with an imagined revamp for the star, who became an equestrian English bride and mum under Guy's watch.

"I stepped into a soap opera, and I lived in it for quite a long period of my life. I'll probably be more eloquent on it 10 years from now," he said. 

Ritchie and Madonna share 11-year-old son Rocco and 6-year-old son David Banda, adopted from Malawi. Madonna has stylish teen Lourdes Leon from a previous relationship. Guy and new love Jacqui Ainsley welcomed a baby boy in September. 

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Photo: Guy Ritchie and Madonna attend the 2008 premiere of his film "RocknRolla" in London. Credit: Sang Tan / Associated Press

Madonna 'very upset' over leak of 'Give Me All Your Love'

Team Madonna is very upset — and you know what you did. There was a leak. A track from the star's forthcoming album got loose this week, and Madge is said to be "very upset" with the responsible parties. Did we mention she's upset?

Madonna's manager, Guy Oseary, took to Twitter to clarify that the leaked version of the song — "Give Me All Your Love" — was just a demo, nowhere near the masterpiece that will allegedly appear on the disc.

"Im very happy with the positive reaction to the demo, but we are very upset with whoever leaked the song!!!!!!!!" he wrote. Exclaim much?

Well, here's why: Guy followed up with another tweet saying the pop queen was disappointed and that her "true fans wouldn't do this." 

We see their collective point: that making an album is a process, and the final product is what matters. But this whole thing smacks of hydrangeas. 

Expect to see a lot of Madonna in the new year. She's in talks to play the Super Bowl halftime show, is on track to release the album before spring, and is promoting her latest directorial effort, "W.E."

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Photo: Madonna takes the camera in her own hands for a fashion spread. Credit: Harper's Bazaar.

Madonna's brother Anthony Ciccone says he's homeless

This post has been corrected, as detailed below.

Madonna's brother is reportedly homeless and living under a bridge in Michigan after losing his job a year and a half ago — and he's annoyed that some people might find that amusing.

"My family turned their back on me, basically, when I was having a hard time," Anthony Ciccone told the Michigan Messenger website. "You think I haven't answered this kind of question a bazillion times — why my sister is a multibazillionaire and I'm homeless on the street?"

Madonna, of course, recently made headlines for her struggles with free hydrangeas.

Ciccone said he had been working at his father's winery in Sutton's Bay, Mich., but now works odd jobs and collects recyclables. He's living in a town that has a network of churches providing nightly meals to those in need — and though the food may be hot, the northern Michigan days can be cold, with Ciccone among those falling victim to frostbite.

Anthony, 55, is a one of the pop star's older brothers; her younger brother, Christopher Ciccone, released an unflattering tell-all in 2008 about life with Madonna.

Michigan native Madonna Louise Ciccone was the third of six children. She has two daughters, Lourdes and Mercy, and two sons, Rocco and David. David and Mercy were adopted from Malawi. In March, Madonna's effort to build a school for girls in that African nation failed after millions had already been spent. At that time, she'd donated $11 million to her Raising Malawi charity, which had raised a total of $18 million, according to the New York Times.

"I do know what it is like to be misunderstood on a global scale" like Wallis Simpson, the subject of her movie "W.E.," Madonna told Sky News on Sunday at the film's London premiere screening, which was part of the BFI London Film Festival.

Seems to be faint chance that big sis will happen across her brother Anthony's story online, however: "Even when I try something old and try music, I come up against the critics," the 53-year-old told Sky News. "I cope by not reading anything."

[For the record, 11:46 a.m. Oct. 24: This post has been updated to include mention of Madonna's son Rocco and daughter Mercy. Thanks to commenters for pointing out the omissions. Also, for more details on Anthony Ciccone, please click through the link to the Michigan Messenger.]

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Photo: Madonna arrives at the BFI London Film Festival gala screening of "W.E." in London on Sunday. Credit: Joel Ryan / Associated Press.

 

 

Madonna tapped to play the next Super Bowl halftime show?

Will Madonna take the field at halftime during the Super Bowl come February?

Madge is reportedly in talks to headline the 2012 halftime show at Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, which would mark her debut on the massively watched pro football telecast -- that according to a sports blog citing a source "close to the event."

The singer and director's rep told the Ministry on Monday that there is "nothing to confirm at this time"; an NFL official similarly had no comment to SBNation.com regarding its report.

Recent halftime performers have included the Black Eyed Peas, Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty. Madonna would in theory have a blank canvas to showcase her catalog of work, from the "Like a Virgin" days to her most recent, electric-hop record, "Hard Candy."

The football folks allegedly approached the material mom in 1998 to get down at that year's big game in Miami, but the gig didn't work out. Also, should she sign, she would have some stiff competition: puppies.

Would you like to see Madonna come through in 2012? Tell us in comments. 

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-- Matt Donnelly
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Photo: Madonna signs autographs at the premiere of her film "W.E." at the 36th Toronto International Film Festival. Credit: Fred Thornhill / Reuters