Madonna the scapegoat for the Malawi debacle

It's too easy to make Madonna the scapegoat for the Malawi debacle

You'd need a lot more space than this to examine fully Madonna's dealings with Malawi, the African country where she adopted her children, David and Mercy. It was also where she intended to build an academy for girls, which never happened (though Madonna still helped build classrooms), all against a backdrop of missing millions, for which Madonna's side blamed the sacked prospective academy headmistress (also the Malawian president's sister), while there has been an ongoing investigation into the role of the Kabbalah Centre in New York … and (phew) see what I mean?

Last week, the theme of Madonna and Malawi produced astonishing (and frequently hilarious) levels of mayhem, which went something like this: Madonna takes her brood to Malawi, then asks for an audience with President Joyce Banda, which doesn't happen. Returning to the airport, Madonna and her entourage are stripped of VIP status, which they are fine/furious about (delete as appropriate).

Later, an extraordinary epistle, which deserves to be read in its entirety, emerges from Banda's office, accusing Madonna of, among other things, exaggerating her charitable endeavours and "blackmailing" Malawi by demanding gratitude and star treatment. This behaviour was to be contrasted, ran the statement, with that of "many international stars, including Chuck Norris, Bono, David James, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville … [who are] of equally dazzling stature". (Ah'm saying nuttin'!)

Later, President Banda was reported to have not known about or approved the statement. It barely mattered, because the entire debacle confirmed the enduring rule of Celebrity Charity Maths. As in: celebrity plus altruistic yearnings (but minus groundwork and common sense) equals a world of pain, all thoroughly deserved by said celebrity, especially if she's a narcissistic bint such as Madonna. However, love her, hate her or, indeed, prefer to ignore her, is this entirely fair on Madonna?

No one supports the notion of celebrities barging into poor countries and expecting to be worshipped like visiting deities. But did this actually happen? Likewise, time will tell where the missing millions went, but does anyone truly believe that Madonna, a veteran of decades of intense media scrutiny, has personally lied, bullied or acted against the interests of impoverished Malawian children?

"Disappeared" charity donations are a sad fact of life all over the globe, so it seems telling that when Madonna is involved, it automatically becomes Madonna's fault. Telling and absurd. From where I'm sitting, Madonna made a commitment to Malawi, and appears to be struggling to keep it, against unforeseen and insurmountable odds. Her "crime" appears to be naivety, not bullying.

What happened in Malawi seems to say far less about Madonna and more about our increasingly irrational hatred for "do-gooding" celebrities per se. In many ways, I agree. I'm all for a healthy dose of scepticism where self-aggrandising mercy missions are concerned. If the rich and famous want to swan around Africa, they should book a safari.

However, are the constant attacks on do-gooding celebs in danger of becoming unreasonable? We see the likes of Madonna in dusty cargo pants and immediately go on the attack. Do people want celebrities to stop doing charity work, because I don't? On the contrary, I could name many (many) celebrities who I'd love to see forced into doing charity work and "giving back", as a penance for being smug, over-rewarded, self-obsessed wastes of space.

More seriously, it's becoming a problem that any time famous people try to help, and behave decently, they are automatically branded as self-serving show offs, whose every effort should be undermined and denigrated, simply because they are celebrities. Sure, this particular situation in Malawi looks to be a mess, but I'd wager it has far more complexities than mere celebrity presence, even one as powerful as Madonna's. Sometimes it's too just too easy to blame the rich western megastar.

Save me from The Voice judges' bottom line

With the return of Britain's Got Talent, some advice to BBC's rival talent programme The Voice about over-fawning from the judges. Even contestants no one picks are showered, nay tsunami-ed, with praise. Sure, emotion is good, especially since Simon Cowell did something to his face that makes him resemble a haunted pillowcase. However, enough is enough!

Moreover, Voice judges must stop bopping in their seats – known chez Ellen as bum dancing. I quite enjoy a bum dance myself, but only in the privacy of my own home, and always with a deeply apologetic look on my face. I know I'm pushing my luck. By contrast, Voice judges, especially Jessie J and "Danny from the Script", are shameless bum dancers. Shameless! There's also still too much of the hammy, eyes-closed, hair-tossing, fake orgasm, "really digging the music, man!" tripe. No one listens to music like this. (If they do, don't approach them, as they may be dangerous.)

A little less "enthusiasm" and The Voice could yet emerge as a credible ratings contender. They should strike now, while the BGT panel is still in the early rounds, snowed under with 5,000 dancing Alsatians.

This lingerie theory doesn't stack up

A French professor of sports science, conducting a 15-year study on 320 women, concluded that bras do women little good and may even do some harm. Specifically, with younger females, going bra-less leads to "less sag" and an average 7mm nipple rise. Meanwhile, those still wearing bras became "lingerie-dependent", sagging to the point of (natch) needing bras.

I don't need to gaze searchingly down my own top to realise that this "lingerie-dependent" hypothesis is groundbreaking stuff. How did modern mammaries become "lingerie-dependent" so swiftly? It goes against all the laws of evolution.

It seems that every five minutes we are being told sternly by scientists that, whether people like it or not, however fit and healthy they feel, however much care they take over their appearance, nature is nature, and the human body has not fundamentally evolved for several millennia. This is said to be true for women in terms of fertility and ovulation, and for everyone in terms of digestion, hence the current popularity of the"Paleo" or "caveman" diet. The harsh truth is that evolution moves achingly slowly, despite the march of progress.

With this in mind, it's astonishing that female breasts have emerged as the only area of the human body to defy the creakingly slow pace of evolution, becoming "lingerie-dependent" after only a couple of centuries of exposure to brassieres, four at most. I'm no sports scientist, but that's fast.

This study is either flawed (which I refuse to believe!) or "lingerie-dependence" really does signify a state of accelerated evolutionary development never before witnessed in the history of humankind.

Obviously, more in-depth studies on this subject are urgently required. All we need are some guys in white coats who wouldn't mind staring at breasts for the next 15 years.

Pop diva Madonna leaves Malawi

Madonna has left Malawi after visiting the projects she has helped support through her Raising Malawi charity. The pop diva and her four children arrived in the southern African country Monday and left Saturday. Madonna visited the 10 school blocks that her charity has helped build or renovate in collaboration with BuildOn. The singer also visited a hospital’s pediatric ward and several orphanages, including the Home of Hope, where she adopted David Banda in 2006. Madonna adopted Mercy James from Malawi in 2009.

Funeral for reality star

Family and friends in West Virginia are saying goodbye to ‘‘Buckwild’’ reality TV star Shain Gandee. Hundreds wearing camouflage filed past two closed coffins Sunday at the Charleston Municipal Auditorium. A private burial was to follow later for the 21-year-old from Sissonville and his uncle, David Gandee. The Gandees and another man were found dead April 1 inside a vehicle partially submerged in a mud pit near Shain’s home near Sissonville. Autopsies determined all three died of carbon monoxide poisoning. Police say the muffler was below the surface and that mud covered the passenger side. A slideshow of family photos focused on Shain’s off-camera life, showing him as a football player, in a tuxedo for prom, graduating high school, kissing brides, and holding babies.

Snipes out of prison

Wesley Snipes has been released from a federal prison in Pennsylvania. Snipes was convicted in 2008 on tax charges. He was released Tuesday and placed under home confinement. A Bureau of Corrections spokeswoman said Friday he’ll be overseen by the New York Community Corrections Office until July 19. Snipes has appeared in dozens of films, from ‘‘White Men Can’t Jump’’ and ‘‘Demolition Man’’ in the early 1990s to the ‘‘Blade’’ trilogy. He entered the McKean prison in December 2010 to begin a three-year sentence for failure to file income tax returns. Snipes belonged to a group that challenged the government’s right to collect taxes. Prosecutors say he failed to file returns for at least a decade and owed millions of dollars. Snipes had appealed in an Atlanta court, saying he didn’t get a fair trial.

Actor crush

“I loved the whole film. But what I want to talk about is the first section, the Gosling section; I want to make love to this section.” — James Franco, on Ryan Gosling in “The Place Beyond the Pines,” on The Huffington Post.

 

Madonna at Boardwalk Hall

Madonna performs in concert at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City

Waiting somewhat impatiently for approximately an hour for Madonna to take the stage in Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the “Sold Out” concert sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City, finally got underway. The filled hall exploded at 10:30 pm when the lights dimmed and music began to play. It seems curious at best, that Madonna can seem to do no wrong to her fans even when she requests the air conditioning be turned off, or raised to a room warming temperature . The minute the Madonna stepped into the spotlight, all was forgiven and screaming, adoration and dancing began.

Madonna's fans are loyal as evidenced by the fact that this concert may be the highest grossing night for Boardwalk Hall, so far this year. Madonna has referred to her show as “part spectacle and sometimes intimate performance art,” but really it’s mostly spectacle. She can still move well and for a fifty-four year old woman, her dancing, enthusiasm and energy are only overshadowed by her on stage presence and charisma.

Every Madonna concert somehow becomes both memorable and entertaining with a mixture of production numbers, set designs, wonderful back up singers and dancers and of course the super star, Madonna herself. This 2 hour, twenty-two song evening was no different. Madonna included over the top exciting lighting, dancers, giant video screens, costume changes and cheerleaders. In addition, Madonna's antics of coming to the front stage close to her avid followers, writhing on the floor while singing, rising to her knees she revealed to the crowd a “No Fear” most likely temporary tattoo, emblazoned on her back.

The set list included a number of selections from her new album and many of the songs Madonna is known for such as, “Express Yourself,” “Holiday” and a slowed down version of “Like a Virgin.” The true crowd pleaser's were true Madonna versions of “Like a Prayer” and “Vogue” that elicited many squeals and applause. As expected, Madonna delivered once again. Her legions of loyal fans did not want the concert to end, but when it did, they were satisfied, smiling and still in love with their Madonna.

Madonna was born in Bay City, Michigan, on August 16, 1958. In 1981 she went solo as a pop singer and became a sensation in the male dominated 1980's music scene. By 1991, she had achieved twenty-one Top 10 hits in the United States and sold more than seventy million albums internationally. In January 2008, she was named the world's wealthiest female musician by Forbes Magazine.

Madonna today continues to be one of the best if not the best selling female recording artists ever. Her concerts for the most part, are always Sold Out and her ticket sales, album/CD sales continue after more than thirty years of performing. It does not appear that Madonna will be departing the pop music scene any time soon!

Madonna on Elton John feud

Madonna on Elton John feud: 'I forgive him' for insults

Madonna expressed herself about her long-running feud with Elton John during a recent concert in France.
Two weeks after John called her a “f— fairground stripper” on an Australian TV show, the Material Girl told fans at her concert in Nice, France, Tuesday that she forgave him for the insults.
In a video taken by a fan at the concert and flagged by TMZ, Madonna said she forgives her fellow musical icon — and dedicated her song “Masterpiece” to her detractor.
“I know he's a big fan of it,” Madonna says in the video. “And I know he's a big fan of mine. And you know? I forgive him. Gotta start somewhere."
Cynics, however, can read much into the 53-year-old diva’s choice of songs to dedicate. Madonna won a Golden Globe for “Masterpiece,” from her directorial effort, “W.E.” earlier this year — beating out fellow nominee "Hello Hello," John’s song with lyricist Bernie Taupin from the animated movie
"Gnomeo & Juliet." Before the awards show, John had told an interviewer, "Madonna doesn't have a f— chance of winning."
The source of John's most recent ire at the Material Girl seems to be her digs at fellow pop diva Lady Gaga — who is the godmother to John and partner David Furnish's 19-month-old son Zachary.
"She's been so horrible to Gaga," John explained on "Sunday Night."
Madonna had been videotaped during a May concert rehearsal seemlessly transitioning between her own 1989 hit "Express Yourself" and Gaga's "Born This Way." It was widely interpreted as a thinly veiled dig at the younger singer, suggesting that Gaga was copying her act.
But John has been taking potshots at Madonna since long before the Gaga incident. The music icons' feud dates back at least seven years, according to Marie Claire magazine, when the Rocket Man slammed Madge after she was named Best Live Act at the 2004 GQ Awards.
"Madonna, best f— live act? F— off," he said at the time. "Since when has lip-synching been live?"

Madonna receives obscene twitter

Madonna receives obscene twitter from Russian official regarding her pro Pussy Riot stance

A senior ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin used an obscene Twitter post to attack Madonna on Friday after the pop star called for the release of three women who face prison over an irreverent performance in Moscow’s main cathedral.Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, a nationalist politician and former envoy to NATO, posted the tweet after Madonna told a Moscow concert audience the jailed members of punk band Pussy Riot were “courageous” and deserved to be free.
“Every ex-wh*re tends to lecture everybody with age. Especially during world tours and concerts,” Rogozin, who now leads Russia’s drive to upgrade the army and defence industry, wrote in a tweet in English.
The microblog posting was a crudely worded echo of frequent warnings by Russian officials that Moscow will not accept Western “preaching” on human rights and democracy, a message Putin has repeatedly delivered during 12 years in power.
Madonna, who is American, donned a balaclava like those worn by Pussy Riot performers during her concert in Moscow on Tuesday night and was cheered loudly when she offered her support.
Maria Alyokhina, 24, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 30, stormed the altar of Russia’s main cathedral on Feb. 21 and sang a “punk prayer” calling on the Virgin Mary to rid Russia of Putin, who was then campaigning to return to the presidency after four years as prime minister.
Prosecutors want a judge to sentence them to three years in prison for hooliganism motivated by religious hatred.
They have been in jail since shortly after their performance, which offended many in mostly Orthodox Christian Russia, and Kremlin critics see their trial as part of a crackdown on dissent as Putin starts a new six-year term.
The women have said the performance was meant as criticism of close ties between Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church and the clear if informal support its leader, Patriarch Kirill, gave Putin during his successful election campaign.
Western governments and rights groups have said the govermnent’s reaction to the “punk prayer” was excessive and are watching the trial closely. The judge is to give a verdict on Aug. 17.
Rogozin, who some analysts view as a potential presidential candidate in the next election in 2018, did not mention Madonna by name in the English tweet on Friday or a Russian one on Wednesday.
But few Internet users had any doubt that he was referring to Madonna, who also spoke out in support of gay rights at a concert in St. Petersburg, Putin’s home town, on Thursday night.
“She spoke about freedom, it is the state bureaucrats who are lecturing us every day on all the state channels,” a Twitter user called Alexander Oleinik wrote in response to Rogozin’s posting in Russian.
“Either take off the cross or put on your panties,” Rogozin replied. His spokeswoman confirmed the messages were genuine.
Rogozin, former leader of the nationalist political party Rodina (Motherland), also wrote ironic messages about Pussy Riot, likening their supporters to a religious sect.
Rogozin was appointed deputy prime minister late last year as part of then prime minister Putin’s drive to appeal to moderate nationalists.
He is known for his sharply worded criticism of the West and in particular of U.S. and NATO plans for a European missile shield that Moscow calls a threat to its security.
On Friday, a group of Russian Orthodox hardliners burned Madonna’s picture outside Moscow’s Christ the Saviour cathedral, where Pussy Riot staged its punk protest.

Madonna Stands Up For Jailed Former Leader Of Ukraine

Madonna Stands Up For Jailed Former Leader Of Ukraine

Madonna rallied support for the jailed former prime minister of the Ukraine last week (ends05Aug12) after quizzing the crowd at her concert soundcheck about the circumstances surrounding her incarceration.
The Material Girl was running through songs ahead of her gig in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev last Saturday (04Aug12) when she halted the rehearsals and asked locals about troubled politician Yulia Tymoshenko, who was sentenced to serve seven years behind bars in 2011 for her alleged abuse of office while in power from December, 2007, to March, 2010.
In video footage posted on YouTube.com, Madonna told the small audience, "I don't even know the actual truth, I've just heard some stories from emails... Is it true that the woman who was the former president (sic) is in jail here?"
After hearing supporters for Tymoshenko protest her conviction, Madonna replied, "If you feel so strongly, how come no one's fighting for her? You might get killed? So, this is what we call freedom? Just curious, thank you for telling me."
The singer then urged fans to stand up for Tymoshenko and called on the crowd to fight on the embattled politician's behalf, telling them: "Are you brave? Do you have courage? Are you willing to fight for what is right?"
Madonna did not repeat her comments during her Kiev show that night, but she did make headlines in Russia this week when she performed in Moscow, Russia on Tuesday (07Aug12) and voiced her support for the imprisoned members of feminist punk band Pussy Riot, who are facing prison time for performing a protest song against President Vladimir Putin in a church in February (12).
She also upset officials in St. Petersburg on Thursday night (09Aug12) as she challenged the city's gay rights legislation during a concert, handing out pink bracelets to 25,000 fans.

Madonna and Elton John: Inside their decade-long feud

Madonna and Elton John's latest feud is nothing new. For years, their remarks have been playing out on a public stage.
John, for one, doesn't hold back when he talks to the media, oftentimes spewing controversial remarks about the "Queen of Pop."
Just this month, he said Madonna's "career is over," calling the 53-year-old singer a "fairground stripper."
Here's a look at what has gone down between the two stars -- and one-time friends -- over the past decade:
November 2002 - John bashed Madonna's theme song for the 007 movie, "Die Another Day," calling it "the worst Bond tune ever."
"It hasn't got a tune," John, 65, told the U.K.'s Sky News. "James Bond themes are usually very camp and this one's different ... They should have gone for somebody like Lulu and Shirley Bassey, or maybe I'm in that league?"
He added, "I don't think it's the best Madonna record and I'm a big fan."
October 2004 - John famously slammed Madonna at the 2004 Q Awards in London. During the show, hosted by British music magazine Q, John said he was surprised to see Madge nominated in the best live act category.
"Since when has lip-synching been live? Anyone who lip-synchs in public on stage when you pay 75 pounds to see them should be shot. Thank you very much," he said while accepting the classic songwriter award. "That's me off her Christmas card list, but do I give a toss? No."
Madonna's spokesperson Liz Rosenberg released a statement shortly after, explaining: "Madonna does not lip-synch nor does she spend her time trashing other artists. She sang every note of her Re-Invention tour live and is not ashamed that she was well paid for her hard work ... Elton John remains on her Christmas card list whether he is nice ... or naughty."            
John then spoke with Access Hollywood about his comments, saying he was "unfair."
"You know, I just said what I said and I've been meaning to say it for a long time," John said. "It was probably a bit unfair on Madonna, because a lot of people lip-synch worse and their whole show is lip-synched. Her show is not wholly lip-synched but there's an element to it." John went on to praise the singer's talent, saying, "Madonna is a great artist, she's a great writer, she's a great performer, she makes great records and I just want to leave it at that."
Later that month, he told Entertainment Weekly, "I don't want to escalate it because I like Madonna. She's been to my house for dinner. It was something that was said in the heat of the moment, and probably should not have been said." John added, "Would I apologize to her if I saw her? Yeah, because I don't want to hurt any artist's feelings. It was my fault. I instigated the whole thing. But it applies to all those bloody teenage singers."
August 2005 - Madonna and John were still on rocky ground a couple of years later. "I did send her two Christmas cards and they both came back," John told the U.K.'s Daily Telegraph in December 2005.
December 2005 - It appeared as though Madonna still wouldn't forgive John for accusing her of lip-synching in concert. The New York Post reported that John tried to make amends by inviting her to perform at his and David Furnish's bachelor party in London. But John reportedly told his guests, "Madonna, the miserable cow, wouldn't do it."
Madonna's spokeswoman responded, "Madonna wishes Elton all the best, and hopes married life will make him a happier person."
February 2011: And in 2011, John didn't change his tune on lip-synching. When Rolling Stone asked him how he feels about it, he said, "Anyone who lip-syncs should be shot. Just take 'em out on the street and shoot 'em. I think Madonna 's a fantastic showgirl -- show-woman -- and I'm a big fan of some of her records. I didn't want to hurt her feelings, and subsequently I've made up and apologized. I think she paved the way for everybody, but I am right. I'm right. Live means live."
January 2012 - Things got heated at the beginning of this year when John's partner, David Furnish, got involved. John and Madonna were competing against each other in the best original song Golden Globe category, and after Madge's win, Furnish, blasted the singer in a private message on Facebook, which was later deleted. He reportedly wrote: "Madonna. Best song???? F**k off!!!"
"Madonna winning best original song truly shows how these awards have nothing to do with merit," Furnish added. The British filmmaker called Madonna's acceptance speech embarrassing in its narcissism, noting that her criticism of Lady Gaga "shows how desperate she really is."
John, meanwhile, launched into the Madonna bashing even before the ceremony began, telling Carson Daly that Madonna had "no f---ing chance" of winning the honor. When asked if "those were fighting words," he said, "No, those are accurate words."
After her Golden Globes win, Madonna laughed off John's comments while chatting with the press backstage, saying, that John "speaks to me for the next couple of years. He's been known to get mad at me, so I don't know. He's brilliant, and I adore him, so he'll win another award. I don't feel bad."
Furnish later spoke up about the incident, saying his comments were taken the wrong way.
"My passion for our film 'Gnomeo & Juliet' and belief in Elton's song really got my emotional juices going," he said. "But I must say for the record that I do believe Madonna is a great artist, and that Elton and I wish her all the best for next week's premiere of the film 'W.E.'"
July 2012: John reignited the Madonna feud this summer in an interview with  Molly Meldrum, which aired on Australian TV.
John said, "Why is she such a nightmare? Sorry, her career is over. Her tour has been a disaster and it couldn't happen to a bigger [expletive]."
"If Madonna had any common sense, she would have made a record like 'Ray of Light,' stayed away from the dance stuff and just been a great pop singer and made great pop records, which she does brilliantly. But no, she had to prove that she was like ...," he said, not specifying. "And she looks like a [expletive] fairground stripper."