Madonna in W Magazine

Some images of Madonna's shoot for the upcoming issue of W Magazine are floating around the web. Here they are for your viewing pleasure.

Receding? I don't recall her hairline going that far back...

The former boy toy prefers her own boy toys.

I am a long-time fan of Madonna - having bopped around to "Everybody" back in 1983 and being yelled at by my mum in 1985 to stop singing "Like A Virgin" - so I'm excited to see how her recent split from Guy will translate to her creativity.

Madge for Vuitton?

According to Style File the Queen of Pop Madonna is going to be the new face of Louis Vuitton’s Spring 2009 campaign AND apparently it's already been shot by my fave photo team Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. The last high-end ad campaign she did was Versace (in my mind I am pronouncing it a-la Showgirls, ver-sayce).

Madonna for Versace in 2005

I pray that it's better than the disastrous ads Versace put out with Madge back in 2005. (Did they not even warn her they were shooting?) Mind you the first ad campaign she did for Versace in 1995 was stunning, stunning, stunning!

Madonna for Versace in 1995

CARE to TRUTH or DARE?

The TRUTH is that one half of Malawi’s one million orphans have lost one or both parents to AIDS, the DARE is for 800 Madonna fans to donate money at the one-time screening of Madonna’s Truth or Dare on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at the Bloor Cinema to support Raising Malawi. As first revealed on Laineygossip.com, this special occasion which has been approved by Madonna, will be a chance for Madonna fans to have a flashback to the infamous Blonde Ambition Tour. Hosted by Elaine Lui (eTalk host and blogger for Laineygossip.com) and Iain Christiansen, CARE to TRUTH or DARE? will open its doors at 7 p.m., and the screening will commence at 8 p.m. As an incentive for fans to attend, the screening will also feature a sneak preview of Madonna’s directorial debut, Filth and Wisdom.


The event is open to the public; however no tickets will be sold in advance. Those wishing to attend are encouraged to show up early and make a donation at the Bloor Cinema (506 Bloor St. W.) box office. Only the first 800 donors will be admitted to the theatre. Please note that there is a suggested minimum donation of $15. 100 per cent of proceeds will be donated to Raising Malawi and guests will be informed how much has been raised once the screening has finished.

“Everyday in Malawi, hundreds of children die from preventable illness, thousands are affected by abuse and neglect, and millions face a lonely struggle for survival without parents or adult supervision,” says Madonna. “I urge you to please support Raising Malawi and remember: by committing a little bit of your time, talent, or treasures to these extraordinary children, you will help to save a life.”

“A night with Madonna and a few hundred of her most hardcore fans - all in support of a cause close to her heart... I can't think of a smuttier (in the best way possible!) way to celebrate her career!” says Elaine Lui.

Since 2006, Raising Malawi has been dedicated to bringing an end to the extreme poverty and hardship endured by Malawi’s one million orphans. Co-founded by Madonna and Michael Berg, Raising Malawi uses a community-based approach to provide immediate direct physical assistance, support long-term sustainability, create education and psycho-social programs and build global awareness through multi-media and worldwide volunteer efforts. Raising Malawi works to distribute financial support that will help community-based organizations provide vulnerable children with nutritious food, proper clothing, secure shelter, formal education, targeted medical care and emotional support.

Truth or Dare, distributed by Miramax Films, is a revealing documentary chronicling the life of Madonna behind the scenes of her 1990 Blond Ambition World Tour. Released in 1991, the film was well-received by critics and at the box office. As of 2006, it is the sixth-highest grossing documentary of all time with a worldwide gross of $29 million.

Madonna's directorial debut, Filth and Wisdom, is a hilariously sexy tale of three roommates who must delve into mischievous and naughty behavior in pursuit of bigger and brighter futures. A Ukrainian immigrant, A.K. finances his dreams of 'trans-continental superstardom' with his band, Gogol Bordello, by turning tricks as a role-playing cross dresser. As A.K. literally whips the privileged of London into shape, he also secretly pines for the object of his affection, Holly, an aspiring ballerina looking for her big break while moonlighting as a slippery stripper. Meanwhile, Juliette steals medicine from her pharmaceutical job in hopes of quenching her dreams of helping Africa's youth. Filth and Wisdom is every bit as erotic and playful as it is poignant and touching, revealing the universal struggles we all face in our pursuits of happiness. Opens in select cities on October 24th.

Sponsors for the event include Laineygossip.com, The Bloor Cinema, E1 Films Canada Inc., Proud FM (103.9 FM), Sans Blah, Pauper’s Pub and Lucy Kilislian of Toronto’s Barclay Jewelry.

Happy Birthday Madonna!

I've always been a mega Madonna fan. I won't even get into all the things I've collected over the years - magazine covers, CD singles, books (I have two copies of SEX - one in French, the other in English) and even a strange troll doll dressed up like Madonna from her Blonde Ambition tour. Each shocking thing she did made my mum cringe. I'd be dancing around the house when I was about 8 singing "Like a Virgin" and my mum would freak out telling me, "you cannae sing that!" I didn't understand why, but I knew there was something about this girl that made me want to know more.

Today is also the day Elvis died - Madonna was 18 that day, and this year Michael Jackson and Prince also turn 50. (Coincidence? I think not...)

In celebration of Madonna turning 50 today, here are a few my fave Madonna videos:

Justify My Love (1990)


Bad Girl (1992)



Bedtime Story (1994)


Of course, I can't post them all, but check out Madonna's YouTube page and you can watch a bunch more.

The House of Helder

Almost two years ago I was at The Social in Toronto having drinks with a friend, when a group of people took to the stage. I could totally picture them as Madonna's backup dancers from back in the Danceteria days. They even did a cover of "Everybody". They sang, they danced and totally rocked it!

They are Fritz Helder & the Phantoms. Their music style is a mix of everything from early Madonna to Prince to Cameo and I am totally a fan. They've just released their first album, "Greatest Hits" which you can order it from their newly updated and fantastic website: www.fritzhelder.com.The CD Release party is happening on Thursday, November 22, 2007. You do not wanna miss seeing these guys live!

Speaking of Madonna and her Danceteria days, here's a video of her performing "Everybody" at the club back in 1982.

Madonna in a Bottle

The recently publicized $120 million deal in the making between Madonna and Live Nation is making major headlines. The decade long, lucrative deal would include the rights to sell three studio albums, promote Madonna's concerts, and sell licensing name rights and merchandise - which could include a fragrance.

In an already over-saturated celebrity fragrance market, Madonna's scent would have to be bold and the marketing concept behind it would have to be something no one has done before. (Have you seen the awful P. Diddy ad for his "Unforgiveable" fragrance for women?)

Gwen Stefani's recently launched fragrance, L for her clothing line L.A.M.B seems to be doing tremendously well, especially due to her hot ad campaign.

Interestingly enough, Madonna was reportedly shopping around a fragrance concept called "Holy Water" about a decade ago. Let's just hope if Madonna does do a fragrance, that she comes up with a better name this time round.

Update: It's confirmed! Madge is leaving Warner Brothers Records. In a press release, Madonna issued the following statement:

“The paradigm in the music business has shifted and as an artist and a business woman, I have to move with that shift. For the first time in my career, the way that my music can reach my fans is unlimited. I’ve never wanted to think in a limited way and with this new partnership, the possibilities are endless. Who knows how my albums will be distributed in the future? That’s what’s exciting about this deal — everything is possible. Live Nation has offered me a true partnership and after 25 years in the business, I feel that I deserve that.”

“My time with Warner Bros. Records has been great. I appreciate their hard work and value the many relationships I have developed over the years with the label in the U.S. and around the world. I have an album coming out with them next year and I’m excited about it. We still have work to do together.”