Madonna’s longtime producer John ‘Jellybean’ Benitez is being sued for $10million over royalties from her hit song Holiday.
Benitez offered the track to the pop superstar back in 1983 when she was recording her debut album – and it became her first hit single.
He agreed at the time that all royalties would be split between him and the Spirit One Music group, with Jellybean responsible for distributing the cash, according to the lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court.
But Spirit insists Jellybean reneged on the deal – and has held back at least $10million owed to the firm.
Jellybean ‘repeatedly and unrepentantly misstated and underreported revenues due to its joint owner, Spirit,’ and ‘repeatedly, systematically and intentionally made delinquent and tardy payments’ to Spirit, according to the lawsuit.
The suit says Benitez has ‘concocted flimsy, bad-faith excuses for its inaccuracy.’
Spirit wants $10million in allegedly unpaid royalties, said Spirit’s lawyer, Wallace Collins. Representatives for Benitez did not respond to requests for comment.

Source: Splash

With snow causing shutdowns at UK airports, passengers on a diverted Virgin Atlantic flight from New York are complaining, not about the weather but about special treatment given Madonna and her entourage.
Flight VS010 was supposed to land at Heathrow, but was instead diverted to Standsted Airport, where passengers sat on the plane for nearly three hours -- except for Madonna, who was reportedly allowed to disembark two hours before everyone else.
"After about an hour, a bus came along and took her and her party of about 15 off the plane. It seemed a -- little unfair -- it's not like she is the President or anything. The rest of us all had to wait for another two hours," a disgruntled fellow passenger tells the UK's Daily Mail.
A statement from Virgin, obtained by AOL Travel News, says the plane was diverted "due to very difficult weather conditions" and the disembarkation was delayed by ground crew until buses arrived to take passengers to London's Heathrow. "We apologize for any inconvenience this diversion caused, but for safety reasons this action was unavoidable."
As for Madonna's special treatment, Virgin says, "It is common across airlines that business- and first-class passengers disembark first and this is reflected in the higher cost of the ticket."
But the unidentified passenger, who was also in Virgin's Upper Class, says "Madonna was taken off the plane way before the rest of the first-class people. We were all grumbling about it."
The passenger also complains the Queen of Pop used her hour-long delay to do yoga in the plane's aisles.

Source: AOL

MADONNA TO OPEN HARD CANDY FITNESS CENTERS AROUND THE WORLD - First To Open in Mexico City - Madonna To Attend Opening on November 29 - Enrollment Center Now Open For Memberships 

October 25, 2010 (Mexico City) – Madonna in partnership with her manager Guy Oseary and New Evolution Ventures (NEV) announced the establishment of Hard Candy Fitness global gyms which will open in major cities around the world. The first Hard Candy Fitness is a beautiful and uniquely designed 30,000 square foot space which is scheduled to open in Mexico City mid November in the exclusive Bosques de las Lomas area. Madonna will be visiting the gym on the 29th of November for the official launch. 
Throughout her career Madonna has been devoted to fitness and well being and has worked out in literally hundreds of gyms around the world. As a result, she has a strong vision on what the ideal exercise, dancing and work out environment should be. The direction for how to bring that vision to the fitness world began to take shape during an initial meeting between Mark Mastrov, the innovator behind 24 Hour Fitness and Guy Oseary early in 2008. Mastrov has built a fitness empire of over 420 clubs in 16 countries.  Mastrov, his partner Jim Rowley of NEV, Craig Pepin-Donat, the Vice President of Marketing and Development, along with Madonna and Oseary, are now in the planning stages of opening 10 more locations in Russia, Brazil, Argentina and throughout Europe and Asia.  In addition, they are currently exploring opportunities and local partnerships around the globe for facilities where fitness, fashion and entertainment create a unique member experience.“Madonna’s world tours have taken us to many of our favorite cities around the world.  We are looking forward to opening Hard Candy Fitness with NEV in many of these same places,” commented Oseary. “Our goal is to create an environment inspired by Madonna’s vision and high standards of what the ideal gym would be.  Hard Candy Fitness will be a reflection of Madonna's point of view and will reflect her input on every detail including music space, light and other design cues.  Madonna’s touch will be everywhere.” stated NEV Chairman Mark Mastrov.
Chris Dedicik, Hard Candy’s Managing Director commented, “Hard Candy Fitness is a one of a kind experience merging fitness with entertainment.  We are dedicated to exceeding the expectations of our members.” Hard Candy Fitness members will experience the very best in innovative training methods including private, group and dynamic training including traditional classes such as Zumba, Latin Moves and Cardio Kickboxing as well as new programming designed specifically for Hard Candy Fitness. The fitness center will also include a Bike Studio, a Mind Body Studio featuring The Great Wall, where members can practice BarWorks, Sculpting, Capoeria and the newest trends in Yoga.  It will also house a healthy alternative Juice Bar/Cafe.  The lavish locker rooms built with the finest materials will be a sanctuary for members who will be able to relax in sauna and steam rooms. Members will also benefit from state of the art cardiovascular equipment with personal viewing screens, more than 60 pieces of strength equipment / free weights and the best group fitness, functional training accessories and brands including PreCor, Hoist, Free Motion, Nautilus, Hammer Strength, StarTrac, AbCoaster, and TRX suspension training. For membership information, visit the enrollment center at Bosque de Duraznos 47, Bosques de las Lomas or call +52 55 5245 7550.

Source: Madonna.com

Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga will spend the next 14 years in a Malawi jail, sentenced to hard labor.
They aren't murderers. They didn't steal. In fact, they didn't commit a crime.
They were convicted of homosexuality.

I call upon the progressive men and women of Malawi -- and around the world -- to challenge this decision in the name of human dignity and equal rights for all.
Please add your name to mine in a pledge of support for the freedom to love:
http://www.raisingmalawi.org/FreedomToLove

I am shocked and saddened by the recent decision made by the Malawian court. As a matter of principle, I believe in equal rights for all people, no matter what their gender, race, color, religion, or sexual orientation.
This week, Malawi took a giant step backward. The world is filled with pain and suffering; therefore, we must support our basic human right to love and be loved.
I will not sit back and be silent while two men are sentenced to 14 years hard labor simply for loving each other. I hope you will add your name to mine, and speak out to your friends and family on this issue:
http://www.raisingmalawi.org/FreedomToLove
Love,
Madonna

Source: Raising Malawi

Lady Gaga recently gave an interview to French Magazine Les inrocks. Of course and once again, the name Madonna is all over it…

Les inrocks - Why did you dedicate your album to Prince, Madonna, David Bowie and Andy Warhol ?
Lady Gaga - I’ve been listening to Prince and Madonna a lot. David Bowie and Andy Warhol are inspiring me. For me they are major artists because the visual aspect of their music is very strong. When I’m home listing to the radio and Prince, Bowie or Madonna’s music is being played, I see something, which isn’t the case with many other singers.

Les inrocks - Did you say that you were the new Madonna?
Lady Gaga - I never said that. I’m very angry when I read this so-called quote. From the beginning of my career people have been saying that I was the new Madonna. So take note of this: I DON’T THINK OF MYSELF AS THE NEW MADONNA!

Les inrocks - You’re blond and an Italian from New York... Don’t you think there’s room for comparison?
Lady Gaga - I do have the utmost respect for her. In some ways it’s indecent to ask a kid like me who’s been around for five minutes if I think I’m the next pop icon. It’s like ‘Who do you think you are?’ You have to let me accomplish more before you call me a pop icon.

Les inrocks - But do you want to be a pop icon?
Lady Gaga - If I wanna rule the world? The answer is yes. I think that secretly everyone wants to rule the world. But most people are afraid to say so.

Source: Absolument Madonna

Madonna is urging the citizens of Malawi to back an appeal to free two jailed gay men, branding their incarceration "backward".

On Thursday (20 May 10), Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga were sentenced to 14 years in prison, including hard labour, because they are homosexual.

Gay icon Madonna, who adopted two of her children, David and Mercy, from the country, is fuming over the court's decision to imprison the men - and is calling for their release.

In a statement to Access Hollywood, she says, "I am shocked and saddened by the decision made today by the Malawian court, which sentenced two innocent men to prison. As a matter of principle, I believe in equal rights for all people, no matter what their gender, race, color, religion, or sexual orientation.

"Today, Malawi took a giant step backward. The world is filled with pain and suffering; therefore, we must support our basic human right to love and be loved.

"I call upon the progressive men and women of Malawi - and around the world - to challenge this decision in the name of human dignity and equal rights for all."

Source: ContactMusic

With the great surprise of Madonna fans today a whole lot of rarely seen images of Madonna and some interesting memorabilia has appeared on Ebay today.

A seller has purchased public storage vaults at an auction by a moving company and the boxes were originally owned by Melissa Crowe, Madonna's long time assistant from the mid 80's to the mid 90's.

Among the photos there are rarely seen Herb Ritts shots from 1987 and 1989, candid photos and polaroids, set photos, autographed items and one "historic" picture showing one year Madonna on the lap of her late mother, Madonna Fortin with her dad Sylvio Ciccone and two older brothers Martin and Anthony.

Some of the private photos are also a bit risque' as in one Madonna is kissing a dildo with publicist Liz Rosenberg next to her.

The seller is making serious collectors happy by announcing he will be putting up for auction even more stuff from these boxes that were once owned by Melissa, who apparently is trying to contact the seller about her personal stuff through the pages of the same ebay website.

Source: MadonnaTribe

The UK broadcast of the much-hyped Madonna episode of Glee on E4 yesterday night was seen by a total audience of around 1.9 million, early figures suggest.
The episode brought in an impressive 1.42m (5.7%) to E4 in the 9pm hour, helping the channel beat parent station Channel 4 in the timeslot.
A further 458k (2.6%) watched the episode an hour later on timeshift station E4+1. E4's combined primetime share last night was 3.8%, level with Five.
The audience for Glee was on par with the figures for its record return a week earlier, according to ratings data supplied by Attentional.
Sources: Digital Spy, MadonnaTribe

Glee's Sue Sylvester is finally getting her moment in the musical spotlight, and it does not disappoint!
Ahead of their brand new Madonna-themed episode of the song-tastic series, Jane Lynch donned a conical bra to reenact a shot by shot remake of Vogue, complete with clone copy costumes and step perfect renditions of those iconic dance routines.
Plus, she's joined by some of her favourite Gleeks - keep your eyes peeled for Amber Riley's Mercedes and Chris Colfer's Kurt.
The clip aired yesterday night in the season premiere episode airing on FOX. The original video, directed by David Fincher, was named fifth in MTV's 2006 list of the "Top 100 Videos That Broke The Rules", while Rolling Stone magazine named it the 28th best video of all-time.

Source: MadonnaTribe, MarieClaire.co.uk

Caresse Henry, 44, of Laguna Beach, California died suddenly on March 31st in Irvine, California. Despite rumors to the contrary, the cause of death has not been determined and is currently under investigation. Born in Los Angeles, Ms. Henry managed Madonna’s career for 10 years. She went on to briefly manage Ricky Martin, Jessica Simpson, Joss Stone, Paula Abdul and Andrew Dice Clay. Henry is survived by her two children, Honour Kristen Norman and Ava Caresse Hinojosa who both reside in Los Angeles. She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law Yvette and Steve Dobbie of Laguna Beach, brother Patrick Henry, Jr. of San Diego, mother Angelica Henry of Newport Beach and father Patrick Henry, Sr. of Wexford, Ireland. Services will be held on Friday, April 9th at ll:00 am at St. Paul’s Church in Westwood, California. “The family has requested that their privacy be respected during this difficult time,” stated Liz Rosenberg, longtime friend and spokeperson for the family.

Source: CNN

If you have VH1 Classic, there is a show called The Music Video Exposed. The director of "Burning Up", Steve Barron, said when M was laying in the boat on the lake, they were filming from above her using a "massive" crane. The shot wasn't lined up correctly, so when they extended the arm out until they were directly over her, the wheels of the apparatus behind them lifted off the ground, and the whole thing started to tip over. He said if they had extended the arm out even an inch or two further, the crane would have fallen on her and she "definitely would have died".

Source: Madonna Serbia

iTunes Store has been updated with a completely new and free Madonna application. 

Now everything you want to know about Madonna is available on your mobile device. Stay updated on videos, photos, twitter, and more. Internet connection is required for application to work.

More info and screenshots: iTunes (more screenshots at MadonnaTribe)

Leona Lewis finds skinny dipping "liberating".

The Happy singer admits she and her friends once stripped off and jumped into a swimming pool during a holiday to Portugal in order to cheer up one of their other pals.

She said: "I was with some girlfriends in Portugal. One of my friends was going through a hard time with her boyfriend, so we thought let's do something crazy. It was liberating."

Leona - who has been dating electrician Lou Al-Chamaa for five years - also hinted she may be tempted to follow in Madonna's footsteps and release an explicit tome, after taking inspiration from the 51-year-old singer's famous Sex book.

She said: "I have always loved Madonna. I was too young for her Sex book period, but then when I saw it I thought, 'Wow!' Good for her, if that's how she wanted to express herself. Would I express myself like that? Well, you never know..."

While she admires Madonna, Leona says there's one celebrity who has been very rude to her in the past but she refused to name them.

She told Britain's OK! magazine: "They were a monster to me. It was someone who I really looked up to, someone who inspired me. They didn't insult me, it was just the whole attitude they had. I didn't like it. And you know what? They were like it twice. The first time I was upset, the second time I was like, I'm so much bigger than that."

Source: Stuff.co.uk

Probably a bit off-topic, but here we go anyway: Meck and Dino – authors of the song “Feels Like Home” that was used in “Like a Prayer” mash-up on Madonna’s recent Sticky & Sweet Tour, released a new mix of their very successful single, this time called “Feels Like A Prayer”.

It does not include Madonna’s vocals, but the song is still quite similar to the tour version. Single will be released in the United Kingdom around the release of Sticky & Sweet Tour DVD (end of March 2010).

Wow! Madonna proves to be a more powerful tie than Warner Bros. for Liz Rosenberg, who's leaving the company after 39 years at the end of this month. She'll still consult with them regarding some of the top artists she's worked with, but the big story is that she will continue to represent Madonna, a very good thing for Madonna and her fans:

"No one has had a more thrilling ride than I have had during my decades at Warner Bros. Records, where I grew up and learned my craft. I was given the opportunity to work with the most talented artists in music history. I'm grateful that I will continue to represent some of these artists, in addition to several new artists. I am grateful to Tom Whalley for his tremendous support. I will miss him and my entire Warner Bros. family."

Source: Boy Culture