Madonna: ‘This Broken Doll Held Together By Tape And Glue’ Needs Rest

Madonna rests up over Thanksgiving holiday (image via Instagram)
Madonna’s Madame X tour officially closes on March 11 and you have to imagine Madge can’t wait for that date to arrive. After taking a hard fall on stage at Le Grand Rex in Paris last Thursday, the Queen of Pop needed assistance from one of her dancers to hobble off-stage. The injury forced Madonna to cancel her Sunday night performance. She reached out to fans via Instagram to explain the situation:

Here I Am – Flesh and Blood. If only knees didn’t twist and cartilage didn’t tear and nothing hurt and tears never fell out of our eyes………But alas they do and Thank God for this important reminder that we are human.

I Fell 2 nights ago on stage when a chair was literally pulled out from underneath me by mistake and I landed on the floor on my tail bone. I made it thru the show last night but just barely because I hate disappointing. However today even I can see that this broken doll held together with tape and glue, needs to stay in bed and rest for a few days so she can finish the tour with a smile on her face and in one piece.

Since the launch of the Madame X tour last September, Madonna has canceled 13 performances. Most of the cancellations were injury-related, although two performances suffered from production issues. Along the way, she’s shared that a knee injury sustained during rehearsals has been the source of “unbearable pain” and has posted several pics and videos of post-show ice baths. Show business is hard, y’all.

 

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Here I Am——Flesh and Blood 🩸 If only knees didn’t twist and cartilage didn’t tear and nothing hurt and tears never fell out of our eyes………But alas they do and Thank God for this important reminder that we are human. I Fell 2 nights ago on stage when a chair was literally pulled out from underneath me by mistake and I landed on the floor on my tail bone. I made it thru the show last night but just barely because I hate disappointing. However today even I can see that this broken doll held together with tape and glue, needs to stay in bed and rest for a few days so she can finish the tour with a smile on her face and in one piece. ❌ Thank You for your understanding Paris! 🇫🇷 🙏🏼 #madamextheatre

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News Round-Up: December 26, 2019

(image via Instagram)
Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Fitness guy Nik (above) says “six-packs are overrated – especially after Christmas!” I second that notion 🙂Instinct Magazine: A Manhattan school teacher says he was fired for being gay and for standing up for a non-binary gender-nonconforming student. • Hulu: A trailer has been released for the latest installment of Hulu’s Into The Dark, a monthly horror event series. Each feature-length installment is inspired by a holiday. The latest episode – Midnight Kiss – stars Scott Evans and premieres on December 27. According to the official synopsis, “A group of longtime gay best friends head to a beautiful desert home to celebrate New Year’s Eve. One of their annual traditions is to play MIDNIGHT KISS, a sexy but ultimately dangerous challenge to find that special someone to help you ring in the New Year. As friendships have grown strained with secrets, jealousy and resentment, the group faces another challenge when a sadistic killer wants in.”

NBC News: Donald Trump said Tuesday he wouldn’t rule out pardoning Republican operative Roger Stone, describing what happened to his former confidant as “very tough” and criticizing federal prosecutors and investigators as “dirty cops” and “evil people.” • Out: Dame Judi Dench says her “Deuteronomy” in the now-infamous film version of Cats is transgender. • CNBC: Trump supporters were outraged to hear a version of Home Alone 2 aired on Canada’s CBC network which omits Donald Trump’s cameo in the film. Chuck Thompson, the CBC’s head of public affairs, said in a statement that the edits to the film “were done in 2014 when we first acquired the film and before Mr. Trump was elected president.” • Instagram: Madonna canceled her final ‘Madame X’ tour date in the U.S. due to “indescribable” pain.

 

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I was in tears from the pain of my injuries, Which has been indescribable for the past few days With every song I sang, I said a prayer that I would make it to the next and get thru the show. My prayers were answered, And I made it. I consider myself a warrior I never quit, I never give in, I never give up!! However this time I have to listen to my body And accept that my pain is a warning I want to say how deeply sorry I am to all my fans. For having to cancel my last show I spent the last two days with doctors Scans, ultra sounds, Xrays Poking and probing and more tears. They have made it very clear to me that if l’am to continue my tour— I must rest for as long as possible so that I don’t inflict further and Irreversible damage to my body. I have never let an injury stop me from performing but this time i have to accept that there is no shame in being human and having to press the pause button………….. I thank you all for your understanding, love and support. As the Words to Batuka go……….. It’s a Long Road……….Lord Have Mercy🙏🏼. Things have got to change. And they will because MADAME ❌. is a fighter!! Happy Holidays to Everyone ♥️🎄 #madamextheatre #thefillmoremiamibeach @orquestra.batukadeiras.pt

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Madonna’s World Domination Began 35 Years Ago This Week

According to Billboard’s Senior Chief of Charts, Keith Caulfield, 35 years ago this week Madonna began her quest to “rule the world.” The future-pop queen hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 “for the very first time” with her hit single, “Like a Virgin.”

Madonna Cancels/Postpones Concerts Due To ‘Overwhelming’ Pain

Madonna rests up over Thanksgiving holiday (image via Instagram)
Bad news for Boston! Madonna has announced via Instagram that she has been forced to cancel all three performances of her Madame X concert tour in Boston due to “overwhelming” pain. The 61-year-old pop star, who says her current show brings her “so much joy,” admits in the post that the decision wasn’t made lightly but is necessary to “rest and follow doctor’s orders” in order to “come back stronger and better and continue the Madame X journey with all of you.”

The canceled dates were scheduled for November 30 and December 1-2 at Boston’s Wang Theatre, and unfortunately, they will not be rescheduled for some time in the future. “As we are unable to reschedule the Boston dates due to the tight scheduling through the balance of the year, refunds will be automatically issued to the credit card on which they were ordered,” read a statement on Madonna’s official website. A new post on the pop star’s website Friday morning announced the schedule for her concerts in Europe would also be reshuffled. “The Madame X 2020 tour will relaunch in Lisbon on 12-January where it plays 8 sold-out shows through January 23rd. It then proceeds to London whereas a result of the highly specialized production elements, the Madame X Tour date originally slated for Sunday, 26-January at the London Palladium will now be rescheduled to Sunday, 16-February becoming the final date in the 15-show run in this city. There is no change to the additional performances 27, 29 & 30 January and 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 and 15-February,” read the announcement. Shortly thereafter, a second update went up regarding a shift of Madge’s Paris dates: “As a result of the highly specialized production elements, the first two Madonna’s Madame X Tour dates in Paris originally slated for Tuesday, 18-February and Wednesday, 9-February have been rescheduled to 10-March and 11-March respectively. There is no change to the additional performances on 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 29-February and 1, 3,4, 7 & 8-March.” Although she doesn’t share the nature of her injuries, the BBC reports earlier this month Madge “told fans in San Francisco she was suffering from a “torn ligament” and a “bad knee.” The Queen of Pop hasn’t been shy about sharing her post-show routine which has included 3 a.m. ice baths taken in stride while her family and tour team cheers her on.

The BBC notes that while Madonna “is notoriously reluctant to cancel shows, abandoning only a handful of dates over the course of her 37-year career,” the Madame X tour has had some setbacks. The debut performance of the tour in New York had to be pushed back due to production issues. And once the three-week residency began at Brooklyn’s Howard Gilman Opera House, one of the NYC dates had to be canceled due to injury. The opening night performance of the tour in Los Angeles was called off as well. Madge shared pics and video of her resting on Thanksgiving Day including singing a bit of Lil Nas X’s ‘Old Town Road.”

The Madame X tour is scheduled to re-commence in Philadelphia on December 7 for four nights at the Metropolitan Opera House in Philadelphia. (source: BBC)

News Round-Up: November 26, 2019

InstaHunk Max Souza is looking fierce

InstaHunk Max Souza is looking fierce Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: When the future’s so bright you gotta wear shades, you might be hottie Max Souza (above). • NZ Herald: Ken Miller and his husband Jason Brumbaugh moved to New Zealand two years ago and bought a restaurant, Saluté, that became the target of local homophobia. Then, an online review of the small-town restaurant raved about the food and denounced the homophobia sparking a nationwide wave of support for its owners. • The Gaily Grind: Actress Jamie Lee Curtis said in a new interview that she “fully accepts outing” hypocritical politicians that pass “anti-gay legislation.” And I’m totally with her. • Boy Culture: First a hit novel, then a movie, and in 2020 will become ‘The Series,’ Matt Rettenmund is releasing a 25th Anniversary Edition of his book, Boy Culture. Click here for the backstory on the novel, a cavalcade of sexy covers from all the international iterations of the book, plus a link to buy the new, updated edition. Congrats, Matt! PEOPLE: First lady Melania Trump was met with a “resounding chorus of loud boos” from middle and high schoolers as soon as she walked on stage at an opioid awareness event on Tuesday. • Advocate: For her decades of activism with LGBTQ youth, Cyndi Lauper will be awarded the inaugural High Note Global Prize presented by the United Nations Human Rights and the High Note Global Initiative at her annual Home for the Holidays concert on December 10. • JustJared: Wendy Williams denied she’s gay telling her audience today, “I am no lesbian. I like women for friendship. I like men and I like the D.” • Instagram: Madonna had ‘a moment’ with out rapper Lil Nas X at the Wiltern Theater during the residency of her Madame X tour in Los Angeles.

 

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Is happy to Share her last name ❌ and a beer 🍺 with @lilnasx #madamextheatre #thewiltern

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Lawsuit Filed After Madonna Can’t Show Up To Work On Time

NBC News reports that Madonna fans are a bit over the Queen of Pop’s habit of being tardy for her own concerts. It seems she was constantly late for performances for her current Madame X tour that showtimes were moved to 10:30 pm to accommodate her preference for later shows. And now, she’s late for those. From NBC News:

Nate Hollander purchased three tickets totaling $1,024.95 for Madonna’s Dec. 17, 2019, “Madame X Tour” at the Fillmore Miami Beach concert venue, according to the suit filed Nov. 4 in federal court in Miami-Dade County.

At the time Hollander bought the tickets, the show was scheduled to start at 8:30 p.m., according to the suit against the pop star and concert promoter Live Nation.

The suit alleges at the start of the tour, which kicked off in September, Madonna repeatedly arrived hours late to her shows.

The singer, 61, has a “long history of arriving and starting her concerts late” and to accommodate her tardiness her shows, including the Miami Beach one, were rescheduled to start at 10:30 p.m., the complaint states.

Hollander did not want to attend a concert that late and Live Nation would not refund him his money, according to the lawsuit.

This past Thursday night in Las Vegas, Madge apparently didn’t take to the stage until well after midnight. The show was scheduled to start at 10:30 pm. According to local news station KVVU in Las Vegas, the fans were booing by the time Madonna got to the stage. And I’ve heard reports that somewhere in the neighborhood of 500 attendees were asking for ticket refunds. And rather than express chagrin or remorse, she informed her fans who paid a minimum of $200-300 that “The Queen is never late” – so get over it:

One fan tweeted that Madge was only 15 minutes late on Friday, but the fan and her group left early because they “wanted more hits” and the new concert focuses primarily on the new Madame X album. Las Vegas entertainment reporter John Katsilometes tweeted that Ticketmaster had taken to warning ticket-holders not to expect the show to start until 12:30 am.

I shared something about Madonna’s issue with time on Facebook last night and it turned into 125+ comments. A couple of people say Madonna has ‘always’ been like this, so no one should be surprised. If you buy tickets and she’s late it’s your own fault because you should know. Others say two hours late is unacceptable and disrespectful to the ticket-buying public. What do you think about this, readers?

Madonna Premieres ‘Madame X’ Tour In Brooklyn

Matt Rettenmund's front row ticket to Madonna's Madame X concert

Madonna premiered her Madame X concert in Brooklyn last night Madonna premiered her Madame X concert tour last night in Brooklyn, and Boy Culture’s Matt Rettenmund had a front-row seat for the event. Even posting his report at 2:50 am, Rettenmund’s clever wordplay comes through as he details his adventure at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Howard Gilman Opera House. I won’t include all of his thoughts on the more-intimate-than-usual Madge-fest, but here’s how he sums up the event:

Sometimes, when Madonna does a lot of new material in a show, I can see how it may be offputting to casual fans. I defy anyone with an open mind and open ears to begrudge her the desire to air these new gems. With just enough nods to her past, Madonna is too busy reveling in the present and making plans to go into the future to get mired down by deep cuts and too many of yesteryear’s hits.

There is always next time for a hits tour.

Madame X is one of the biggest gambles Madonna has ever taken as a live performer (oh, I take it all back, what if she sang “Gambler”?), and it’s one that pays off in the form of a show that perfectly showcases her musicality, her curiosity, her understanding of how to hold an audience and her resolve to be an artist who instigates, who “disturbs the peace,” who leads and whose legacy is always whatever comes next.

The Queen of Pop has announced 17 performances at BAM (through October 12) before taking the show on the road. Click over to Boy Culture to read the full blow-by-blow account of the concert including the night’s setlist.

New Madonna Documentary: “The World Of Madame X”

Amazon Prime Video recently added a new short-form documentary, The World of Madame X, which chronicles the evolution of Madonna’s latest number one album, Madame X.

Amazon Prime Video recently added a new short-form documentary, The World of Madame X, which chronicles the evolution of Madonna’s latest number one album, Madame X.

The 23-minute film shares how the Queen of Pop was given the nickname ‘Madame X’ when she was 19-year-old and a new transplant to New York City.

Madge also explains how her new album, Madame X, which recently debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, came to fruition while living in Lisbon, Portugal.

Living in Lisbon, Madonna shares she was happy to be there for her son, who wanted to train for soccer.

But, she also says she became “lonely” as she didn’t really know anyone there, much like when she first moved to New York City. “I knew that I had to find my tribe, so to speak,” she adds.

Along the way, she developed a friendship with Dino d’Santiago, a Portuguese singer, who invited her to living-room music sessions, where local singers and instrumentalists gather in someone’s home to play music.

“What struck me most was this organic, authentic feeling of people being there because they just love music,” says the international pop star. “Money had nothing to do with it. Fame had nothing to do with it. Instagram followers had nothing to do with it. It was really about passion, and music, and art.”

After recording several of the living room jam sessions, Madonna felt she had to “take what I’m hearing, and turn it upside down.”

She sent clips to her longtime producer, Mirwais, writing, “I know this is crazy, but tell me if it inspires you. Let’s chop up the guitar sounds, and synch them to modern sounding drums.”

According to Madge, a week later he had sent back his musical interpretations of the clips, which she described as “amazing,” adding that the new tracks left her “super inspired.”

As she continued “meeting musicians from all these places,” she allowed their work to influence her. And that, as Madonna says, is “how these songs came to be.”

“I had landed in a magical world,” says Madonna in the new documentary-short.

You can check out a 3 minute clip from the documentary below, and find the full short film on Amazon Video here.

There are also two, brand-new Amazon Original remixes of tracks from Madonna’s new album from Robbie Rivera and Erick Morillo.

Madonna is currently prepping for a series of rare, intimate concerts that will be held exclusively in theaters. The best-selling female solo touring artist of all time, her tour begins September 12 in New York City. For more info about the upcoming concerts, click here.

More from the Amazon Video documentary via Instagram:

Madonna Closes Out World Pride 2019

Madonna (image via Instagram/Donatella_Versace)

Madonna closed out the massive World Pride celebrations in New York City last night with a 4 song set during the festival’s ‘Pride Island’ on Manhattan’s Pier 57.

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots, New York Pride hosted this year’s World Pride festivities.

Taking to the stage, the Queen of Pop began with a raucous rendition of her 1990 classic, “Vogue,” which was quickly followed by her 2003 hit, “American Life.”

Madge’s longtime friend, Donatella Versace provided social media coverage throughout the performance.

Madonna then stopped to address the weekend’s celebrations.

“It’s weird, I know we’re on a pier and this pier has a lot of history; God knows it has a lot of history,” she began, referencing the piers history as a cruising area for gay men in the 1970s and 80s.

“So, fifty years people,” she continued. “Fifty years of revolution, fifty years of freedom fighting, fifty years of putting up with discrimination, hatred and indifference, fifty years of blood, sweat and tears, fifty years of not bowing down to fear. That’s what I’m talking about.”

“We have been on this journey together, and I am so proud and honored to share this historical evening with you,” added the 6-year-old pop-star.

“Since I came to New York as a wee little girl, I have always been embraced by queer nation,” bringing the conversation to the personal. “I always felt like an outsider but you made me feel like an insider. You must know how much I love and appreciate everyone here tonight – all members of the LGBTQ community.”

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” she concluded before launching into her latest single from Madame X, “God Control,” a controversial (what’s new?) meditation on gun violence in the U.S.

She closed with the anthemic “I Rise,” also from Madame X.

According to organizers, approximately 4.5 million people took part in the multiple NYC Pride events throughout the weekend.

Head over to Boy Culture where Matt Rettenmund has lots of fantastic pics of the 4-song set by Madge.

(h/t Hollywood Reporter)