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Drowned World Tour announced

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Drowned World Tour

Tour poster.

Tour schedule

The Drowned World Tour was Madonna's first stage tour in 8 years. Since she was now a mum with 2 young kids, she only wanted to tour during the summer months, which limited the tour schedule to two tour legs. Madonna played 47 arena shows across the US and 5 European countries. The opening night was scheduled for Cologne on June 5th but since the production was not ready, this show was cancelled. Instead, the first show was in Barcelona on June 9, 2001 . The Drowned World Tour became the  highest-grossing concert tour of 2001 by a solo artist.

→ Check out the full tour schedule here

Tour setlist

The name for the tour was inspired by British philosophist J.G. Billard and his apocalyptic work 'The Drowned World' (1962). The opening of the show represents the birth of Venus. Each segment stands for one of the Elements. The setlist of the Drowned World Tour promoted her Ray Of Light and Music albums. Other tracks included 2 songs from Bedtime Stories and only 2 songs of her 80s repertoire.

→ Check out the full setlist here

Back when the Drowned World Tour kicked off, we started writing a tour diary with our own reports and specific details for each show (which was also the start of this fansite): Europe - North America

Tour crew & collaborators

This was the first of several times that Madonna worked with Jamie King on her tour concept. Many of the band members would return on future tours, such as Monte Pittman, Stuart Price and Steve Sidelnyk . Costumes were designed by Gaultier, D Squared and Arianne Phillips .

→ Check out the full crew here

Tour recording

Madonna: Drowned World Tour 2001 2001

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Madonna embarqued on her fifth concert tour in June 2001, eight years after The Girlie Show. The hiatus marked some major changes in Madonna’s personal life: she was now a mother of two, married to a British film director. As an artist, she won a Golden Globe for her role in Evita , and released two of the most critically and commercially successfull album of her career: Ray of Light and Music .

To create the Drowned World Tour Madonna teamed up with director Jaimie King , marking the start of a long collaboration and the debut of a format that lasted until the Sticky & Sweet tour. The show visited five European countries before heading to the USA where it stopped in twelve different cities.

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• The Virgin Tour
• Who’s That Girl
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• Re-invention Tour
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• The MDNA Tour
• Rebel Heart Tour
• Madame X Tour
• The Celebration Tour

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Madonna Live: The Drowned World Tour

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Drowned World Tour

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Drowned World Tour

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The Drowned World Tour  was the fifth concert tour by American singer-songwriter  Madonna  in support of her seventh and eighth studio albums  Ray of Light  and  Music . It was also her first tour in eight years, following  The Girlie Show World Tour  in 1993. The tour was supposed to start in 1999, but was delayed until 2001 as Madonna gave birth to her son, got married to  Guy Ritchie , was working on  Music , and was busy filming  The Next Best Thing .

• 1 Background

Background [ ]

After the success of their seventh studio album Ray of Light , Madonna said in a live interview with Larry King in January 1999. "I will make a film in April, The Next Best Thing , and then rehearse for a new tour and probably I will make up the new millennium concerts, New Year's Eve. The tour was later rescheduled for 2001 as Madonna in her own words" had been distracted by the idea of ​​having children and make movies. " In 1999, he began a serious relationship with Guy Ritchie . In 2000, she became pregnant with her son Rocco and released her eighth album Music . When Madonna finally decided to schedule a tour, time was short and had to prepare a show in three months. The tour was originally scheduled to start in the Kölnarena in Cologne, Germany, but the show was cancelled due to technical difficulties, resulting in 35,000 tickets were refunded. Her show of August 3 in the Continental Airlines Arena in New Jersey also have been cancelled because the singer suffered a slight illness. Therefore, the tour was reduced from 50-47 dates, and your boot took place in Barcelona, ​​with a massive presence of international media. The high demand and the sale of tickets for the first concert was so successful (18,000 tickets sold in just 5 minutes) that the singer had to offer a second concert in that city the next day.

The presentations of the tour were reduced to only cities in Europe and the United States. This decision caused some controversy among fans from around the world. The same problem repitiría tour in 2004, the Re-Invention Tour.

Madonna's fever arrived in London on April 25, where Madonna tickets sell its presentation in the stadium Earl's Court in record time - (six shows in six hours). Madonna made history by selling faster tickets at the stadium with 97 000 tickets sold, all tickets for the first show were sold in just 15 minutes, and the online site offering ticket sales received a million hits in the first ten minutes, while phones stadium received 30 million calls to purchase tickets.

The same happened in the rest of the tour, all tour dates were sold in minutes after tickets were on sale.

In the Billboard list of the 25 most collectors Tours United States, Madonna occupied six places:

• 03. - New York, United States.
• 04. - London, England.
• 05. - Los Angeles, United States.
• 08. - Las Vegas, United States.
• 22. - Paris, France.

Setlist: [ ]

Act 1: Neo-Punk (Water) 1. Drowned World / Substitute for Love (contains elements of " Don't Tell Me ", "Frozen", "Music", "Human Nature", "Ray of Light" and "Impressive Instant") 2. Impressive Instant 3. Candy Perfume Girl 4. Beautiful Stranger (contains elements of "Soul Bossa Nova (Dim's Space-A-Nova)") 5. Ray of Light (contains elements of "Drowned World / Substitute for Love") Act 2: Geisha-Anime (Wind) 6. Intermediate Dancers Video: Paradise (Not for Me) 7. Frozen 8. Intermediate band: Open Your Heart (Instrumental Chords) 9. Nobody's Perfect (contains elements of Open Your Heart ) 10. Mer Girl / Sky Fits Heaven / Mer Girl (Reprise) (Medley) 11. Intermediate Video: What It Feels Like for a Girl (Remix) Act 3: Country-Western (Earth) 12. I Deserve It 13. Don't Tell Me 14. Human Nature 15. The Funny Song (Oh Dear Daddy) 16. Secret 17. Gone 18. " You'll See " Act 4 (Final): Ghetto / Urban (Fire) 19. Intermediate dancers: Don't Cry for Me Argentina (Instrumental) 20. "Lo Que Siente La Mujer" (Spanish version of "What It Feels Like for a Girl" (Calderone & Quayle Dark Side Mix)) 21. " La Isla Bonita " 22. " Holiday " (contains elements of "Music Sounds Better with You") 23. " Music " (contains elements of "Station to Station" and "Metal on Metal")

• Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the concert on September 11 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California was postponed until September 15, postponing the final show of the tour. Several million dollars from the profits of the last three shows in Los Angeles, were donated to the children and families of victims of the attacks.
• The second recital in Barcelona June 10 at the Palau Sant Jordi was recorded professionally, but has not yet seen the light in its entirety. fragments could be seen in the HBO special issue put before the concert. That second night brought some problems to Madonna, because there were problems with the screens and had to be false eyebrows during the geisha hand.
• Several changes were made to the final show: Madonna wore a kilt of the American flag during the opening segment of the show as a demonstration of patriotism, the closing of "Mer Girl" (part II) was changed to remove the shooting of a character (Madonna, however, left the weapon, hugged and left the stage together), and cannibalistic theme "The Funny Song" was removed.
• Also as a surprise to Madonna, on the date of the final concert, her husband, Guy Ritchie, appeared as the lost coach at the end of the song "Beautiful Stranger" the Samurai during "Sky Fits Heaven" wore a Lakers jersey, all the dancers participated in the section of the end of "Holiday", and later comically refused to join Madonna at the end of "Music".
• The show used 100 tons of equipment, two Boeing 747 (to fly the team), eight trucks (to carry the team place to place), and 88 people on the tour production.
• Madonna took guitar lessons, so she could play guitar live during the show..
• The song "You'll See" was not performed in Detroit and other cities like Miami and Philadelphia.
• 1 Discography
• 2 Erotica Photoshoot
• 3 Ray of Light Photoshoot

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Madonna - Drowned World Tour 2001 (Region 2/3/4/5/6)

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Product Description

Hugely extravagant comeback show from the evergreen queen of pop, Madonna. A show in four segments with costumes designed by the creme of the fashion world, Madonna showcases her last two albums 'Music' and 'Ray of Light' with a smattering of old hits for good measure. Conceived theatrically the show contains the infamous 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' flying section involving live martial arts style dance routines, and Ms Ciccione's rodeo ride for 'Don't Tell Me' among other highlights.

The Queen of Pop has done it again and offered her fans and music impresarios alike a music performance to be remembered. Drowned World Tour --filmed in her home town of Detroit on August 26, 2001--is both an amazing pop concert and a visually stunning modern dance and multimedia piece encompassing all the recent incarnations of this chameleon-like performer. Never one to shy away from championing new styles in both clothes and music, Madonna is still as raunchy as on her Erotica tour, but Drowned World Tour also offers a much more effeminate and intelligent side to her performance, with a geisha/Japanese performance piece during such songs as "Frozen" and dressed as a Southern-belle line dancer during such songs as "Don't Tell Me." The Drowned World Tour , rumored to be her last live show, proves that Madonna still reigns supreme. --Nikki Disney, Amazon.co.uk

Product details

• Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 1.33:1
• Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
• MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ NR (Not Rated)
• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches; 2.24 ounces
• Item model number ‏ : ‎ 075993855821
• Director ‏ : ‎ Carol Dodds, Dago Gonzales, Hamish Hamilton
• Media Format ‏ : ‎ DVD, PAL, Full Screen
• Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 45 minutes
• Release date ‏ : ‎ January 1, 2001
• Actors ‏ : ‎ Madonna, Niki Harris, Donna DeLory, Mike McKnight, Stuart Price
• Dubbed: ‏ : ‎ English
• Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ English
• Language ‏ : ‎ English (DTS 5.1), Unknown (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Studio ‏ : ‎ Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00005QX8H
• Writers ‏ : ‎ Madonna
• Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
• #1,166 in Electronica (CDs & Vinyl)
• #1,272 in Performing Arts (Movies & TV)
• #2,052 in Adult Alternative (CDs & Vinyl)

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After Years With Madonna, Singers Niki Haris And Donna De Lory Share More Musical Magic

Senior Culture Reporter, HuffPost

A month after Madonna brought her Celebration Tour to a close with a record-smashing performance in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, two of her most beloved collaborators continue to honor her legacy ― along with their own musical journey ― onstage.

On Friday, Niki Haris and Donna De Lory will return to New York’s Green Room 42 for an encore engagement of their concert, “Niki + Donna: Songs and Stories.” While their individual careers have encompassed jazz, New Age, and other musical genres, Haris and De Lory endeared themselves to legions of fans in the 1980s and ’90s when they provided Madonna’s backing vocals on records and tour and were featured in the seminal 1991 documentary, “ Truth or Dare .”

The two women returned to the studio for the first time in 2016 to record a tender version of Madonna’s “Rain,” followed a year later by a five-song EP, “ Two Friends. ” Not surprisingly, “Rain” was a highlight of the New York engagement in January, as seen in the below video.

Watch Niki Haris and Donna De Lory perform “Rain.”

“I believe this song’s lyrics are indicative of the many years we have been together, alternating between sunshine and stormy,” Haris told HuffPost in an email. “We continue to weather it all, knowing that the sun shines when we focus on our love and the music we share. That’s what we stand for.”

She went on to note: “We feel blessed every time we sing that and remind people to stand for those words … rain down love whenever, and wherever, you can!”

Haris and De Lory’s recent shows have included other Madonna hits, such as the 1986 classic “ Open Your Heart ” and “Nothing Really Matters,” off 1998′s “Ray of Light” album. They’ve also featured songs by Bonnie Raitt and Frank Sinatra, among other artists.

“I know fans would love to see us sing with Madonna again, but I think what we have to give as artists is more powerful with our own collaboration,” De Lory said, noting that she and Haris have discussed the possibility of a second EP. “When we sing together, it unifies us in a place of mutual recognition and respect.”

Haris and De Lory first met during auditions for Madonna’s Who’s That Girl Tour in 1987, and went on to appear in the now-iconic music video for “Vogue” three years later. Haris continued to work with Madonna until the 2001 Drowned World Tour , while DeLory remained a part of the pop star’s touring entourage until 2006 .

Given Madonna’s stature as a global icon, it’s no surprise that unsubstantiated rumors of behind-the-scenes drama have long persisted. Haris and DeLory, however, appeared jubilant when they were invited to attend one of their former employer’s performances at New York’s Madison Square Garden earlier this year.

“Singing jazz, I don’t regularly get to hear much of the music I performed with Madonna, [so] it was another affirmation of the years we poured into each other and the great fun we had along the way,” Haris said. “It filled my heart with joy to see people loving us up when we came into the stadium and knowing they still celebrate our connection.”

Added De Lory: “It was so exciting to be there in the audience with the fans with Niki by my side, and I turned to her at one point and said, ‘This may be the only time that you and I are together watching Madonna’s show.’ So it was a very special moment.”

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Madonna sued for "pornography without warning" and for "deceptively" marketing her world tour

This is the second lawsuit leveled at the singer for her celebration world tour, by nardos haile.

Madonna 's Celebration world tour is at the center of yet another controversy.

According to People Magazine , in a class action lawsuit filed on Thursday, the singer is being sued by a fan who said Madonna subjected concertgoers to watch "pornography without warning." They are alleging claims of negligent misrepresentation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, breach of contract and false advertising.

Moreover, the lawsuit claimed that during Madonna's March 7 concert in Los Angeles, there were "topless women on stage simulating sex acts," while detailing a concertgoing experience that was "hot" and "uncomfortable" due to the lack of air conditioning. The fan alleged that Madonna ordered the air conditioning to be turned off, and as a result of no air conditioning, he says he became physically ill because of the heat, Entertainment Weekly reported.

Throughout her career, Madonna has cultivated a sex-positivite persona. Her shows have included erotic dancing, suggestive touching and lap dances that would include singers such as Maluma and Ricky Martin, People said. Alongside Madonna, the plaintiff also has also named the entertainment company, Live Nation, owner of Ticketmaster for luring concertgoers into purchasing  "expensive tickets" and “purposely and deceptively” concealing information about the singer's show not starting on time as it was marketed.

The complaint stated that the show was marketed to start at 8:30 p.m. but Madonna didn't take the stage until after 10 p.m. However, when the singer eventually appeared on stage, the lawsuit claimed she was lip-syncing even though the concertgoers had paid for a live experience and performance.

"Forcing consumers to wait hours in hot, uncomfortable arenas and subjecting them to pornography without warning is demonstrative of Madonna's flippant disrespect for her fans," the complaint said. Madonna and her legal team have not yet responded to multiple requests to comment.

Madonna's alleged tardiness is also the reason for a previous lawsuit filed against the singer in January . Two concertgoers at one of her New York tour dates accused the singer of "unconscionable, unfair, and/or deceptive trade practices" for beginning her show at 10:30 p.m. instead of the marketed time of 8:30 p.m. At the time, Madonna's representatives said the show's delay was due to technical difficulties.

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Last month, Madonna's attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, stating that "no reasonable concertgoer — and certainly no Madonna fan — would expect the headline act at a major arena concert to take the stage at the ticketed event time."

Madonna's alleged sexual performances and tardiness are not the only controversial moments during her Celebration tour. In March, the singer called out an audience member sitting down during her show. In a video recorded by a concertgoer, the singer was heard yelling from the stage, "What are you doing sitting down?" to suggest that audience members should be standing and or dancing. She realized her mistake when she looked at the audience member who was in a wheelchair.

The singer said on stage, “Oh, OK. Politically incorrect, sorry about that. I’m glad you’re here." However, Madonna's actions was met with backlash. Criticisms online stated that her comments were "pure ableism & glaring privilege."

about Madonna

• The unreasonable, degrading expectations imposed on stars' bodies
• Did Madonna's "I'm gay" TikTok really mean what we think it means?
• Madonna at 60: From Material Girl to Golden Girl, on her own terms

Nardos Haile is a staff writer at Salon covering culture. She’s previously covered all things entertainment, music, fashion and celebrity culture at The Associated Press. She resides in Brooklyn, NY.

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All About Madonna's Parents, Madonna Louise and Silvio Ciccone

Madonna's mom and dad inspired a lot of her music

Madonna Instagram

Madonna ’s parents have greatly impacted her career.

The “Like a Virgin” singer was born to Madonna Louise, her namesake, and Silvio Ciccone on Aug. 16, 1958, in Bay City, Michigan. Her parents welcomed five other children together: Anthony, Martin, Paula, Christopher and Melanie.

Her mother died of breast cancer at age 30, which Madonna has said encouraged her drive for stardom. Silvio later remarried their housekeeper, Joan, and welcomed Madonna's youngest siblings, Mario and Jennifer.

Madonna told Rolling Stone in 1989 that her relationship with her father had been “up and down” over the decades but that there’s always love at the core of it. “Whenever I need him, he’s there for me,” she said.

In June 2024, Madonna celebrated Silvio's 93rd birthday with a sweet post on Instagram and shared the mantra she adopted from her father.

"Congratulations for riding the roller coaster of life with humor and sanity intact," she wrote. "Thank you for sharing your mantra in life with me, which is: 'I'm gonna go until the wheels fall off.' "

So, who are Madonna’s parents? Here’s everything to know about Madonna Louise and Silvio Ciccone and their relationship with the Queen of Pop.

Silvio is a first-generation American

Stephen Lovekin/Getty

Born in Pennsylvania in 1931, Silvio is a first-generation American of Italian descent and the youngest of six boys. His parents came from Italy by boat, Madonna recounted to TIME in 1985, adding that they settled just outside of Pittsburgh, where Silvio's father began working in a steel mill.

“My grandmother and grandfather spoke no English at all,” Madonna said. “They weren't very educated, and I think in a way they represented an old life-style that my father really didn't want to have anything to do with. It's not that he was ashamed, really, but he wanted to be better."

After serving in the Air Force, Silvio moved to Michigan and started working as an engineer. “I think he wanted us to have a better life than he did when he was growing up,” Madonna explained.

They met through Madonna Louise’s older brother

Silvio was in the Air Force in his youth, and one of his closest friends there was the eldest brother of his future wife. Through their friendship, he eventually was introduced to Madonna Louise — and according to their daughter, it was love at first sight.

“Of course he met my mother, and he fell in love with her immediately,” Madonna told TIME in 1985. “She was very beautiful. I look like her,” she said, adding that she inherited certain traits from each of her parents. “I have my father's eyes but I have my mother's smile and a lot of her facial structure."

Madonna is named after her mother

Madonna isn’t a stage name — the "Material Girl" singer was named Madonna Louise Ciccone after her French Canadian mother.

“My mother is the only other person I have ever heard of named Madonna,” she told TIME. “I never had trouble with the name ... I went to Catholic schools. And then when I got involved in the music industry, everybody thought I took it as a stage name. So I let them think that ... It's pretty glamorous.”

They welcomed six children together

John Chaple/Getty

Madonna's parents welcomed six children together: Anthony, Martin, Madonna, Paula, Christopher and Melanie. After the family matriarch’s death, Silvio and his second wife Joan welcomed two more children, Jennifer and Mario.

Madonna’s eldest sibling, Anthony, died on Feb. 24, 2023 , from respiratory failure and throat cancer . She visited Anthony shortly before his death and paid tribute to him on Instagram.

"Thank you for blowing my mind as a young girl," she wrote on her Instagram Story. "You planted many important seeds." She added that Anthony introduced her to many of the musicians and ways of thinking she holds dear, from Charlie Parker and Miles Davis to Buddhism and Taoism.

Madonna's siblings have attended her concerts over the years. Her younger brother Christopher has even been involved in her career — he was a backup dancer in Madonna's music video for “ Lucky Star ,” was the art director of her Blond Ambition World Tour in 1990 and the production design lead for The Girlie Show in 1993.

They raised their children in Michigan

Just like her mother, Madonna was born in Bay City, Michigan. They later moved to the suburbs of Detroit, where Madonna and her siblings grew up.

Madonna didn’t stray far from her hometown after high school, initially opting to pursue a degree at the University of Michigan after she was accepted on a dance scholarship. But the multi-hyphenate’s foray into college life didn’t last long — she later left the university and headed to New York in pursuit of a dance career.

They were both Catholic

Robin Platzer/Images/Getty

Madonna Louise and Silvio got married in a Catholic church in Michigan in 1955. Madonna has said that their Catholic faith was very present in her childhood and inspired many of her songs.

“I grew up with priests and nuns, and I always looked up to them,” the Evita star told NPR in 2019. “Everything was about the church, while everybody was slugging back the martinis. It was fabulous."

Madonna told TIME in 1985 that she found nuns “very beautiful” while growing up — to the degree that she even considered becoming one. “For several years I wanted to be a nun, and I got very close to some of them in grade school and junior high. I saw them as really pure, disciplined, sort of above-average people,” she explained.

According to Rolling Stone , Madonna’s mother was the first one to teach the singer how to pray, leading Madonna to dedicate “Like a Prayer” to her.

Madonna Louise died at age 30

Madonna’s mother died of breast cancer at age 30 on Dec. 1, 1963, when the singer was 5 years old. The "Open Your Heart" singer told TIME that her mother was a “forgiving, angelic person."

“I remember also I knew she was sick for a long time with breast cancer, so she was very weak, but she would continue to go on and do the things she had to do,” she explained.

Madonna also reflected on how her mother's sickness affected her. “I know she tried to keep her feelings inside, her fear inside, and not let us know. She never complained,” she said. “I think that made me grow up fast. I knew I could be either sad and weak and not in control or I could just take control and say it's going to get better.”

Her mother’s death impacted her work

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Madonna has opened up about how her personality and music have been affected by her mother's unexpected death.

The singer opened up to the late Carrie Fisher in a 1991 story for Rolling Stone , admitting that her mother’s death prompted her desire for attention and fame. "I've turned my need on to the world and said, 'OK, I don't have a mother to love me, I’m going to make the world love me.' "

Madonna Louise's death also largely inspired her daughter's music, as exhibited in "Promise to Try" in 1989, "Mer Girl" in 1998 and "Mother and Father" in 2003.

Madonna has opened up about her relationship with her father

Self-proclaimed as her “father’s favorite,” Madonna referred to him as her “role model” in a 1985 interview with TIME. “I knew how to wrap him around my finger,” she said of her childhood.

Madonna told Rolling Stone in 1989 that she cared about making her father proud. “More than anything, I want my father’s approval, whether I want to admit it or not," she said. "But he’s always been very affectionate with me.”

Overall, her love for him runs deep, which she wrote about in her 1990 memoir Madonna: In Her Own Words . “I have a million different feelings about my father, but mostly I love him to death," she wrote. "What’s difficult for my father is the idea that I don’t need him. But I do need him."

Silvio owns a vineyard

Silvio learned the art of winemaking from his Italian father, which he used to found the Ciccone Vineyard and Winery in Suttons Bay, Michigan, in October 1995.

Some of his children have joined him in the business, with Mario acting as vineyard manager, Paula taking the lead as winemaker and Jennifer helping to oversee operations.

Madonna and her siblings celebrated their dad's 90th birthday in 2021

The “Vogue” singer and her siblings gathered together to celebrate their father’s 90th birthday in June 2021. Madonna brought along most of her kids for the occasion, including Lourdes Leon , Mercy James, Stella, Estere and David Banda.

The pop icon shared a sweet montage video on Instagram of her father and several of her sisters to commemorate the special occasion.

"My father is a survivor growing up as an Italian Immigrant in the US and living thru many traumas but always working hard for everything he had," Madonna captioned the since-deleted Instagram post. "He taught me the importance of hard work and earning one's way in life."

Madonna got a tattoo in honor of her late mom

In April 2022, the star got a red tattoo on her wrist that read “Maman,” the French word for “mother,” in honor of her namesake.

Madonna elaborated on the motivation behind the tattoo in a video that she shared on Instagram . "I'm doing this for my mother," she said in the clip, adding, “My mother bled for me, and so I'm bleeding for her. It's a family affair."

Madonna has said she misses her mother “every day”

Madonna once again paid tribute to her mother on Mother’s Day in 2023, reflecting on how Madonna Louise's absence had shaped her own experience of motherhood.

"I miss my mother every day,” she wrote. “And have fantasized for decades of what it must be like to have a mother to: call on for help, guidance, care And wisdom."

Madonna ended the message with a parting wish of connection between her late mother and her own children. "And dear Mother…wherever you are. I hope you are happy with your grandchildren!! I often imagine you singing and dancing with us in the kitchen !"

Related Articles

Madonna setlist from Celebrations Tour in Dallas, March 24, 2024. First of two shows

M adonna performed the first of two shows on Sunday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Here is the setlist from the Celebrations Tour show.

Nothing Really Matters

Into the Groove

Open Your Heart

Live to Tell

Like a Prayer

Justify My Love

Human Nature

Crazy for You

Die Another Day

Don’t Tell Me

Mother and Father

Express Yourself

La Isla Bonita

Don’t Cry for Me Argentina

Bedtime Story

Ray of Light

Bitch I’m Madonna

©2024 Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Visit star-telegram.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Madonna hit with lawsuit in california over “sexually explicit content” at celebration tour.

A concertgoer is suing the pop icon over "pornography without warning, topless women on stage simulating sex acts."

By Kevin Dolak

Kevin Dolak

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Pop icon Madonna was hit with a lawsuit this week over her Celebration Tour after a Southern California man filed a complaint saying the massive stadium show he attended in L.A. forced him to view what he called sexually explicit content and caused him emotional distress. 

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“Pornography without warning, topless women on stage simulating sex acts,” were a couple of the aspects of Madonna’s show mentioned in the legal filing. The complaint also says the singer lip-synced through much of her performance, and Lipeles says that he was sweltering inside the KIA Forum; he became physically ill in the heat and Madonna ordered that the air conditioning be cut off as she performed, the suit claims. The pop star’s tardiness to the stage is also mentioned in the suit.

This isn’t the first legal action Madonna is facing over being late to the Celebration Tour . While the career retrospective show is billed as having an 8:30 p.m. start time, she has hit the state at 10:30 p.m. for other performances. 

“I am sorry I am late… no, I am not sorry, it’s who I am… I’m always late,” the complaint states that Madonna told her audience at a Dec. 17 performance.

Previously, two men filed a case over her stage tardiness, calling it “unconscionable, unfair and/or deceptive trade practices.” Madonna’s team claimed it was an unforeseen technical issue that caused the delay. The pop superstar faced a 2019 suit for being late to the stage during her Madame X Tour . That case was dismissed.

The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to reps for Madonna.

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Pr lessons from madonna: what small businesses can learn.

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By Dawn Carrington

Few brands have as much influence and longevity as Madonna.

Standing in a record-breaking crowd of 1.6 million people on the final date of Madonna’s Celebration Tour in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), I shook my head in disbelief at the sheer magnitude of her success. Millions of fans chanting her name, singing along to her iconic songs and breaking a world record.

I later reflected on how few brands have as much influence and longevity as Madonna. As a publicist to both celebrities and small businesses, I analyzed what tools she has employed in her PR playbook that could employed in other industries.

With a career spanning four decades, Madonna has dominated music charts—and nailed her public relations. Through thinly-veiled PR stunts (think on-stage kisses with Britney), an underlying strategy has enabled her to attract every type of strategic corporate and influencer partnership to the table.

Her PR playbook has some surprisingly valuable insights that small businesses can use to up their own PR game.

PR lessons you can learn from Madonna

Apple iphone 16 pro to boast record breaking design leak claims, samsung issues critical update for millions of galaxy users, today s nyt connections hints and answers for thursday june 6, 1. authenticity.

Madonna's authenticity has been central to her PR success. From her early days as a provocateur to her evolution into a cultural icon, she has remained steadfast in her persona and brand, whether people were fans or not.

Small businesses can emulate this by staying true to their core identity and values in their PR, rather than mimicking competitors or chasing fleeting trends. Authenticity builds trust and connection with your audiences, laying a solid foundation for long-term success.

PR lesson: Clearly define your brand's core values and mission statement, and ensure that your PR efforts align with these principles. Authenticity is not just a buzzword—it's the cornerstone of effective communication.

2. Strategic trendsetting

Madonna's ability to anticipate and embrace cultural shifts has kept her at the forefront of her industry. From her pioneering blend of pop and controversy in the 1980s to her adaptation to evolving musical trends, she has consistently reinvented herself in order to stay relevant.

Small businesses can adopt a similar mindset by actively monitoring market trends, anticipating consumer preferences, and innovating their products or services accordingly. However, being a trendsetter requires courage, creativity, and a willingness to try new things.

PR lesson: Stay ahead of the curve by keeping your finger on the pulse of your industry. Don't be afraid to push boundaries and pioneer new trends—fortune favors the bold.

3. Compelling storytelling

Madonna's grasp of storytelling extends beyond her music and encompasses every aspect of her brand. Whether through her fashion choices, personal life narratives, or social media, she has captivated audiences with compelling narratives that resonate with her audience.

Small businesses can use storytelling to elevate and humanize their brand, forge emotional connections with consumers, and differentiate themselves from competitors. Every product launch, corporate initiative, or PR campaign should tell a cohesive story that engages and inspires people into action.

PR lesson: Identify the unique narratives within your brand—its origins, values, challenges, successes—and weave these into your PR efforts. Storytelling creates a connection with consumers that goes beyond transactional relationships.

4. Engaging across generations

Madonna's ability to connect with diverse audience demographics is a testament to her approach to engagement. Through savvy social media tactics, strategic partnerships with contemporary influencers, and multimedia campaigns, she has maintained relevance across generations.

Small businesses can take a similar approach by diversifying their communications channels, tailoring content to different audiences, and creating genuine interactions with their customers. Remember, building brand loyalty requires ongoing engagement and dialogue, not just one-off marketing campaigns.

PR lesson: Invest in building a robust social presence across multiple platforms where your audience hangs out and tailor your messages to target different age groups, cultural backgrounds, and interests. Authenticity and relatability are key to success.

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5. Taking control of the narrative

Madonna has always been great at controlling her narrative, thanks in large part to her former publicist of 32 years, Liz Rosenberg, who worked with the pop star up to 2015. Whether Madonna is facing criticism about her age, lifestyle choices, artistic direction, or onstage act, she consistently shapes the narrative. A great example of this is when she recently came under criticism for not "acting her age"; she came back with an even stronger look and tour act, proving that age is no barrier.

Small businesses can similarly manage their narratives by being proactive in their communications, addressing issues head-on, and finding a brand story that remains consistent, compelling, and inspirational.

PR lesson: Be proactive in your PR. Share important updates, success stories, and interesting developments that align with your brand. By controlling the narrative, you can maintain a positive public perception and even turn potential negative stories into opportunities.

6. Crisis communications

Madonna's willingness to push boundaries has occasionally landed her in hot water, but her handling of crisis situations has only reinforced her brand. Whether addressing controversies such as the recent complaints about her on-stage antics head-on, leveraging humor to defuse a situation, or rallying her fan base in times of adversity, she has consistently been resilient under fire.

Small businesses can learn from her example by developing a proactive crisis communications strategy, ensuring their spokespeople are trained to respond swiftly and transparently to issues, and maintaining open communication with stakeholders.

PR lesson: Anticipate potential crises and develop a comprehensive crisis communication plan that outlines roles, responsibilities, and protocols for response. Demonstrating transparency, authenticity, and empathy where appropriate are paramount to maintaining trust and credibility during a crisis.

Elevate your company's brand presence

By demonstrating authenticity, staying ahead of trends, telling compelling stories, engaging across generations, taking control of the narrative, and preparing for crises, your small business can build an influential brand that stands the test of time. When you have a great PR strategy, these things happen automatically.

About the Author

Dawn Carrington is an award-winning communications and PR mogul and has worked for the UK Royal Family, a UK Prime Minister, and BBC Dragon's Den judges. Her experience ranges from startups to Fortune 500 companies. She currently provides PR and Communications Consulting services and Fractional Comms Leadership to small to medium businesses, helping her clients raise their brand awareness, credibility, and trust.

RELATED: How Storytelling in Public Relations Can Elevate Your Brand

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