Madonna

Madonna's Adoption of Malawi Boy Still Undecided

2007-08-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

South Africa — Malawian rights organizations say their government needs help monitoring Madonna's planned adoption of David Banda.

Madonna and her husband, film director Guy Ritchie, took custody of David, then 14 months old, last October. His father had placed David in an orphanage.

Malawi's Child Welfare Services is expected to file a report on the couple's suitability as adoptive parents after two trips to their London residence this year. But welfare services has already missed one visit, which was set for May.

Director Penston Kilembe, who is overseeing the case, indicated in an interview this week that money is an issue. He said hopes to go to London by month's end.

"We have been unable to travel because of logistical problems," Kilembe said. "You know it requires some resources for me to travel."

Malawian law is fuzzy on foreign adoptions. Regulations only stipulate that prospective parents undergo an 18- to 24-month assessment period, a rule that was bent when Madonna and Ritchie were allowed to take David home.

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Madonna - Wet T-Shirt At The Miami Beach

2007-07-31T19:29:00.000-07:00

Madonna is one protective mama

2007-07-26T02:49:00.000-07:00

As an unlucky crew member recently found out, you don’t pass a remark about Madonna's kids and get away with it.

Madonna had taken youngest tot David on the set of her husband Guy Ritchie's new film, RocknRolla at the 3 Mills Studios, in Bow, East London, recently.

However, the happy outing soon turned sour when Madge overheard a conversation between two crew members.

It seems that in the course of conversation, one of the crew claimed that little David was "lucky" to be adopted by Madge and Ritchie.

Unluckily for her, Madge happened to overhear the chat and let rip into the woman.

"Madonna looked astonished by what was said and words were exchanged between them. Madge seemed very protective of her son and didn't want anyone talking of him in such a manner," a source was quoted as saying.

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Madonna and Guy to face five-day parenting assessment

2007-07-18T16:12:00.000-07:00

Malawi's head of child welfare services is to stay with Madonna and Guy Ritchie next month in London to decide whether or not they can formally adopt David Banda, the two-year-old African toddler they bought back to the UK last October. Penston Kilembe is set to move into the couple's £6.5 million home in Marylebone to conduct a "home study" of how David is adapting to his new circumstances and see if media interest is having a negative impact on the tot.

"The child is on a probationary period so we are going to check that he is bonding with his new family," the adoption official explained to the Daily Mail. He goes on to explain that he is scheduled to have a series of meetings with welfare organisations. "I will meet the social services agency in their area. I want to watch what family life is like. I just want to make sure the child is happy and with a good family. I have met both Madonna and Guy Ritchie and they seem like nice people.

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World watches as Sophie sings with Madonna

2007-07-11T11:58:00.000-07:00

SOPHIE Crawford, 16, a pupil at Channing School in Highgate, shares the stage with Madonna at Wembley Stadium on Saturday before a global audience of billions.

The youngster was one of 40 singers from Finchley Children's Music Group, who backed the pop legend during her headline performance in the London leg of the Live Earth extravaganza.

Sophie, who lives in Stoke Newington, said: "It was really incredible. It went past in a flash because it was sort of mind-boggling, particularly with all those people shouting at you. It was a pretty insane experience, ridiculously exciting.

"But it was not very nerve-racking because of all the adrenaline. It's one of the best concerts I've done. I'm only 16 so it's a really crazy thing to do."

The troupe, around half of whom were from Haringey, backed the singer on Hey You, a song she penned especially for the concert.

Organised by ex-US vice president Al Gore, it was beamed around the world to 120 countries and an estimated audience of more than two billion viewers.

Maddie Howe, 14, of Farrer Road, Hornsey, also a Channing School pupil, said: "It was one of the best experiences of my life. It was so fun - I want to do it again. The atmosphere was so vibrant.

"Madonna was really nice. She took time for each girl individually to talk about how they should do their hair. She said I want everyone's fringes up and we were like, OK.

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Madonna movie set to become a musical

2007-07-11T11:52:00.000-07:00

Madonna's 'Desperately Seeking Susan' is set to become a stage musical, which will feature songs of Blondie and Deborah Harry.

The London production, which will be directed by Angus Jackson, will open at the Novello Theatre Oct 12, contactmusic.com reported.

Harry has written a new song, 'Moment Of Truth', for the show. The musical will also play hits like 'Heart of Glass'. British actress Emma Williams will star as Susan.

Madonna "Hey You" (Official Live Earth Video)

2007-06-21T06:29:00.000-07:00

Madonna True Age Revealed

2007-06-14T21:44:00.000-07:00

A group of eminent archaeologists have successfully carbon dated a portion of the celebrity Madonna. They were able to isolate the correct percentage of carbon 14 from a sample they had been given by an anonymous agent.

The amazing discovery has astounded the archaeologists who have declared Madonna a living fossil and treasure to science.

Speaking from The Institute of Field Archaeologists (IFA) Stephen Dawson said, "Todays findings are truly remarkable, not since the discovery of artifacts last year in Leeds from the early Bronze age have we found such unique data. This surpasses everything that has passed before because the subject seems to be actually living."

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Madonna's adoption set to be challenged by Malawian rights group

2007-05-29T22:09:00.000-07:00

Madonna may soon have a battle on her hands, for a human rights group is getting set to challenge her adoption of Malawian infant David Banda.

Justin Dzonzi, the leader of the group, has stated that he plans to show Malawi's High Court that the music icon's adoption of the 18-month old boy was illegal, as the country has no laws that permit international adoptions.

A Malawian court had granted Madonna and hubby Guy Ritchie an interim order in October last year so that they could take custody of baby David for 18 to 24 months.

However, the decision by the group has David's biological father Yohane Banda fuming, for he just wants everyone to stop hounding the little one.

"He is happy and healthy. I wish they would leave my son alone," The Sun quoted him, as saying.

Madonna ran into choppy waters over the adoption, when she was not only criticised for taking David away from his birth father, but was also accused of using her wealth to side-step Malawi's adoption laws.

Original Article

Madonna releases new song for charity

2007-05-18T20:30:00.000-07:00

Madonna, one of the headliners at this summer's "Live Earth" concerts, released a new digital song for the musical event on Wednesday.

The global concert series, taking place July 7, is designed to raise awareness about climate issues. Hey You, which Madonna produced with Pharrell Williams, doesn't specifically talk about earth issues, but the ballad's lyrics refer to loving and saving each other.

Madonna is scheduled to perform the song during the show at Wembley Stadium in London. Other shows will take place in Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.; Tokyo; Shanghai, China; Johannesburg, South Africa; Sydney, Australia; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Hamburg, Germany; and Istanbul, Turkey.

Hey You is available on MSN.com. The first million downloads are free, and Microsoft is pledging to donate 25 cents per download to the Alliance for Climate Protection.

Besides Madonna, other headliners slated for the London concert include the Hot Chili Peppers, Genesis and the Beastie Boys.

Madonna Launches Talent Search Initiative

2007-05-08T17:55:00.000-07:00

Madonna is launching a new talent initiative in a bid to find the next cyberspace superstars.

The pop superstar’s production company, Maverick, has teamed with Madison Road Entertainment to develop talent search Big Shot, which will launch in September (07).

The idea of the project is to encourage wannabe actors, magicians, singers and entertainers to post video clips of themselves to the Big Shot website, while other visitors pick their favorites.

Madonna

2007-05-08T08:12:00.000-07:00

Was Madonna Snubbed by Nelson Mandela?

2007-04-25T13:55:00.000-07:00

Madonna and David continued their tour of Malawi this week by visiting a day care center in Masekese. She seems to be enjoying herself but evidently her whole trip isn't going exactly as planned. She had been planning to meet with Nelson Mandela but he refused her invitation and she's said to be "devastated."

I'll adopt the orphanage, says Madonna

2007-04-18T13:33:00.000-07:00

She already adopted an orphan boy and there are suggestions she might like an African girl as well.
But now Madonna has gone even further on her mission to Malawi – by hinting that she might take over an entire orphanage.

The 48-year-old announced she was planning to run the Home of Hope orphan village, where her son David Banda used to live.
She revealed the idea to the hundreds of youngsters who sang when she visited the centre in Mchinji.

Madonna might adopt another baby

2007-04-18T05:10:00.000-07:00

SOURCES close to Madonna say the pop queen is headed back to Malawi this weekend to look at adopting another baby. "She's going to Africa on Saturday, and on Sunday her family will be one bigger," our spy predicted. But her rep, Liz Rosenberg, said, "Madonna is going to Africa to continue her work with the Raising Malawi organization. She is overseeing the building of a children's health-care center. She is absolutely not adopting another baby." Last year, Madonna and husband Guy Richie caused a furor when they got little David Banda from the poverty-stricken nation in an adoption some said was illegal.

source

Gwen-Madonna Video Mashup

2007-04-11T05:19:00.000-07:00

Top 10 Madonna Songs of the '80s

2007-03-30T01:55:00.000-07:00

1) "Borderline"
Athough many people fondly remember "Holiday" and "Lucky Star" from Madonna's eponymous 1983 debut, this is her first single that truly introduced the potent pop hooks that would accompany the singer's best work as the decade wore on. Where the former songs relied heavily upon repetition and somewhat similar dance beats, "Borderline" unveiled Madonna's emerging pop sensibility. This is where it really began for Madonna the artist, as she already had her style firmly in place.

2) "Like a Virgin"
For her breakthrough album of the same name, Madonna enlisted the help of professional songwriters to supplement her growing artistry, with mixed results. However, the title track was a piece of pop magic even as it entered the world. When Madonna got her hands on it, it turned into something even bigger, an iconic statement that created the first wave of the singer's ever-changing persona. The song itself gallops along with an infectious rhythm, supported vocally as only Madonna could.

3) "Material Girl"
"Material Girl" revealed Madonna's deepening understanding of her own star power and represented one of her earliest and most powerful forays into the video age. The song itself is glossy and perhaps slightly mechanical, but its power lies in its ability to capture a star rising to her peak who is fully aware of her capacity to entertain and mesmerize the audience. This song's title didn't turn into a moniker for the singer for nothing; Madonna simply kept finding new ways to explode.

4) "Into the Groove"
This song stands perhaps as Madonna's best early dance hit, the product of an infectious rhythm supported far beyond ably by some of the finest melodic and vocal work of her career. A great verse, chorus and bridge cannot always be found in dance music, but that's what made Madonna's talent so incendiary, the fact that she put dance and pop styles together in ways that most artists in either genre had never been capable before.

5) "Dress You Up"
Here is another glorious wedding of great dance beats and an irresistible melodic approach. Lyrically and thematically, Madonna continues in a style-centered direction, getting all she can out of the title metaphor and somehow making it all work. At the core, a sexy cleverness prevails that utterly distinguished Madonna from her female singer competition in the '80s or any decade.

6) "Crazy for You"
This soundtrack-only single from the rather underwhelming film Vision Quest stands as Madonna's first great ballad, and it holds up well today as a lovely melody and performance. By this juncture in her career, Madonna had become a solid and versatile pop singer, and this tune was the perfect opportunity for her to show off those pipes while toning down the focus on fashion that had so dominated her earlier work.

7) "Papa Don't Preach"
The quality and maturity of Madonna's material continued to increase as she reached the latter half of the '80s, especially when it comes to this watermark single. For the first time in her career, Madonna tackled a serious subject, teen pregnancy, with aplomb and a unique narrative perspective. In doing so, she doesn't neglect the polished hooks that had already become her trademark, and with the aid of a Danny Aiello cameo in the song's video she delivered a total package pop single.

8) "Live to Tell"
Having succeeded so swimmingly with her previous forays into movie soundtracks and following her recent ballad success, it's little wonder that Madonna returned to familiar territory for this tune. However, rather than standing pat with a previously successful formula, she relied instead on a solid melody and a haunting arrangement to create an entirely new impression with this single. Rather than decline as so many artists did, Madonna's songwriting and singing continued a steady rise.

9) "Causing a Commotion"
For this somewhat overlooked gem from the otherwise forgettable Who's That Girl soundtrack, Madonna returned with a primo dance-pop tune that skillfully recalled her earlier years while emphasizing her improvements as a musician in the ensuing years. When the verse kicks off with the line, "You met your match when you met me," the listener is struck with an explosive melody and an even more transcendent display of vocals from a performer who really never seemed to falter in the '80s.

10) "Like a Prayer"
Aside from the much-publicized controversy over her video for this song, Madonna was simply never more buoyant and inspiring than on this exemplary tune, which I feel is probably one of her last truly great songs. This is a great performance, perfectly produced and arranged, that would work within any era or genre. Anyone still wondering if Madonna was truly an important '80s artist need look no further than here for confirmation.

Madonna looks for family home in New York

2007-03-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

Madonna is looking for a new family home in New York so that she can spend more time with her ill father.

The Queen of Pop wants to focus on looking after Tony Ciccone, whose health is deteriorating as he battles cancer.

A source told The Sun: "Madonna, Guy and the kids are definitely moving to New York this year. The deal is to spend as much time there as in London - if not more. Guy hasn’t been as keen on the idea but Madonna is insisting they are moving.

"Madonna’s dad is going through the mill and she wants to be there for him and to help his spirits by letting him see more of his grandchildren."

Madonna Looking Flawless at the Launch of Her Clothing Line

2007-03-17T09:32:00.000-07:00

Madonna Set for 'Nip/Tuck'

2007-03-11T16:50:00.000-07:00

HOLLYWOOD - Madonna is set to join the cast of hit plastic surgery drama Nip/Tuck after confessing she's a big fan of the show.

Creator Ryan Murphy reveals he's currently writing a part for the pop superstar.

Murphy would like Madonna to play opposite pal and A League of Their Own costar Rosie O'Donnell, who has become a regular on the show after hitting the headlines for a sex scene she filmed with Nip/Tuck star Julian McMahon last season.

Murphy says, "I'm going to write something for Madonna, who is a fan of the show and I would love for her to do something with Rosie."

Madonna isn't be the only big name being considered for upcoming episodes--Nicole Kidman has already signed on for a cameo and McMahon explains his Premonition costar Sandra Bullock is also interested in a role.

He adds, "Sandy said she wanted to come on last year and she didn't. She wants to come on the last episode and she wants to get her whole body done, or something." SOURCE

Ex-nanny ready to reveal Madonna's secrets

2007-03-11T16:46:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES: Melissa Dumas, Madonna's former nanny, is going to reveal the singing diva's secrets in a book.

The book will reveal secrets like Madonna's marriage to Guy Ritchie, their children's behaviour, family's participation in Kabbalah and the real motivation behind Madonna's decision to adopt a boy from Malawi, reports Hollywood.tv.

Also, included are personal photos of Madonna's family, as well as photos of the nanny with Madonna's kids.

Dumas has hired Sharlene Martin, a literary agent, for a book deal and is pitching it across the US to all major publishers.

Sources said that Madonna is going to be furious because she had insisted her nanny sign a non-disclosure agreement after Dumas had quit her job. It would have not allowed her ever going public with any private information about Madonna's personal life, but Dumas had refused to sign it.

Knowing Madonna, this isn't going to go down without a massive legal fight. When both were contacted separately Madonna's representative and ex-Nanny refused to comment.

MADONNA IN CAR SEAT CONTROVERSY

2007-03-08T00:04:00.000-08:00

Superstar Madonna has come under fire for failing to properly restrain her 17-month-old child in her vehicle.
Much like the controversy surrounding pop star Britney Spears last year (06), Madonna’s adopted son David is at the center of media attention after he was recently photographed not strapped into a car seat.
The 48-year-old and husband Guy Ritchie loaded their three children into their Escalade SUV after 2 March (07) services at the Kabbalah Center in Los Angeles, but baby David was not properly restrained.
A witness tells Us Weekly, “There was no car seat. (Madonna) sat in the middle row, and they left with David on her lap.”
The following day (03MAR07), Madonna allegedly defied the law by once again by sitting in the middle of the vehicle with six-year-old son ROCCO not properly secured.
A representative for the singer slams the claims, saying, “Proper security measures are always taken for Madonna’s children.”

Banda Asks Madonna to See David

2007-03-07T17:34:00.000-08:00

HOLLYWOOD - The father of Madonna's adopted son David is hoping the superstar brings the tot to visit him when she returns to Malawi next month. Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie are scheduled to return to the impoverished African nation to open a $2.92 million Kabbalah Center, which the singer has funded herself. David's biological father Yohane Banda desperately misses his son and hopes Madonna will let them meet during her time in Malawi. Banda says, "I can't wait to hold him in my arms again. I want to see if he still recognizes me after all this time. "I want to see if he still looks like me with all the British food he is eating." Madonna and Ritchie filed interim adoption papers to adopt the youngster in October and will have to wait up to 18 months for the paperwork to become official. source"www.hollywood.com"

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