By Cyntia Barrera Diaz

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – She writes children’s books and makes wine, dons a spandex leotard like no one else and has sold millions of albums around the world. Now she wants you to have a toned body.

Madonna launched her new brand of “Hard Candy Fitness” gyms in Mexico City on Monday, opening a huge, 30,000-square-foot (2,787-square-meter) compound where Mexico’s rich and the beautiful can go through dance classes and fitness routines inspired by the singer’s routines.

So why choose a sprawling metropolis of some 20 million people, struggling with crime, pollution and endless traffic jams to kick off an international sports venture that may eventually include gyms in Russia, Brazil and Argentina?

“I have a history with Mexico,” Madonna, wearing a black and white-striped dress with boots, told Reuters.

“I have a connection that I have always felt anyways because of my love and interest in Frida Kahlo,” she added, referring to one of Mexico’s best-known 20th century painters.

Hundreds of screaming fans, from boys wearing “Mexicans do it better” T-shirts to drag queens in leg warmers, lined up outside the gym in a fruitless effort to get a glimpse of the singer, who arrived tightly protected by security.

Guests at the launch included the capital’s mayor, Marcelo Ebrard, and Carlos Slim Domit, the son of the world’s richest man, Carlos Slim.

Inside the new gym, Madonna taught a short dance lesson to a handful of lucky gym members handpicked by her staff to join her on the dance floor for a few minutes.

She said she is getting ready for another busy year in 2011 that will include a new movie and an album that would follow on the steps of her highly successful “Hard Candy” studio album.

Asked whether she would pursue new collaborations as she did with stars such as Justin Timberlake, she said only that she is working with fellow artists.

On the home front, the mother of four kept open the possibility of expanding her brood.

“Who knows?” she said.

Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=12272162&page=1

Madonna at the opening of her Hard Candy Fitness gym in Mexico City (November 29 2010)

- What made you decide to enter the fitness industry?

I’ve spent my whole career being dedicated to health training and spirituality and during that time I’ve worked in hundreds of gyms, studies and with the best trainers and dancers in the world. From those experiences I’ve developed a strong vision of what the atmosphere for the ideal training is, and that we’ve transformed into a reality with Hard Candy Fitness.

- You’ve been in shape for decades, How important is training in your life style and how has your personal regimen changed through the years?

Health, exercise and spirituality are essencial in my life. I think our bodies are a gift and we must do everything in our reach to take care of them.
Also, I think that the more I make myself be better and stronger, I can inspire others to do the same, through my fitness clubs. When I speak about exercise, I’ve tried everything and I know what works and what doesn’t.

- Why start in Mexico?

Mexico City was one of the Sticky & Sweet Tour stops. I loved the energy of people and their eclectic vibe. Being close, relatively, from the United States, makes me able to be more involved in every step of the development of the creation of the brand, which makes it ideal for the launch of Hard Candy Fitness.

Our objective is to use Mexico as a location to synchronize our brand, and that way expand to other countries and, in the long run, develop a global brand that will include the United States.

- How involved are you or will you be in its daily operations?

I’ve been involved in every step of the process, starting from the name, the logo, the entity of the brand, and the interior and exterior design. My main objective is to create the ideal atmosphere to inspire our members to think of the results. I’ve had an important participation in the global development, and in all the details of the programs and the training. I want our members to love the club, but I also want them to have results, after all, “Harder is better”.

For Complete and Unabridged Article:  http://www.madonna-infinity.com/infinity/?p=2341

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS5CykqZod0&feature=player_embedded

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You’ve collaborated with many artists — who would you say is a “must” to work with next?

I would love to duet with Madonna. It would be super-fun. Also, I would love to record something with Drake, so we can celebrate our Canadian flavor.

Source:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jon-chattman/saying-it-right-nelly-fur_b_786963.html

Us Magazine: What do you think of Lady Gaga?

Quincy Jones: She’s great. Some guy misquoted me in some article and said I don’t listen to everybody — meaning her. I’m not listening to everybody, man. Everybody has their own thing, but it’s show business. Gaga is like Madonna Jr. A lot of people follow Madonna. I don’t, but I don’t blame those that do. She’s had a long career and done a lot. There are different strokes for different folks, man, and there is nothing right or wrong. It’s what you like, you know. I’m against categories. If she can do it, do it. If she knows how to do it, just do it.

Source:  http://www.usmagazine.com/moviestvmusic/news/quincy-jones-lashes-out-at-kanye-new-michael-jackson-album-20102211

Lea Michele wants Madonna to appear on ‘Glee’.

The actress — who plays Rachel Berry on the hit Fox television series — is desperate for the Queen of Pop to follow her showbiz pal Gwyneth Paltrow in appearing on the program and possibly singing.

“We all loved the Madonna show we did but we are hoping to do a part two with Madonna,” she said.

“That would be a dream. I have not met Madonna but I would love to. The only thing is, of my idols I have met, I have thoroughly embarrassed myself!”

Lea has previously hinted she’s bored with her role on the program.

“I would love to do a straight play,” says Lea. “I love singing but I would love to see what it is like to not rest on that and the whole

‘This is how I feel, let me sing it to you’. I would like to just rely on being there as an actor and just standing there being in a scene.”

Source:  http://www.showbizspy.com/article/219388/lea-michele-wants-madonna-on-glee.html

On January 25th, 2011, Gold Legion will release a limited edition CD of the Jellybean album “Wotupski!?!”

This reissue will contain an 8 page booklet with liner notes and 24-bit remaster from the original master tapes. The disc will contain the 12 inch versions of “Sidewalk Talk” and “The Mexican” as bonus tracks.

“Sidewalk Talk” was released in 1984 by EMI Records. The song was originally written by Madonna during the beginning of her career. She granted out this song to Jellybean in 1985. She also has vocals on its chorus and she sings some solo verses.

The 8 page booklet with liner notes will only be available when purchased directly at the labels site.

You can pre-order your copy at http://www.goldlegion.com/

‘Thank you’ to Greg@GoldLegion

Source: http://www.goldlegion.com/

This isn’t news but it’s a great performance.