May the New Year bring you happiness, peace, and prosperity. Wishing you a joyous new year!

One of Madonna’s many non-musical ventures is a line of gyms called Hard Candy — and the second one has just opened in Moscow, Russia. The 35,000-square-foot facility, located near Red Square, features state-of-the-art equipment, a juice bar and cafe, a pool, a bike studio and many classes, including “Addicted to Sweat,” which features moves exclusively designed by Madonna and her dance team, and choreography and toning exercises that the star uses in her own fitness regime.
Madonna plans to visit Hard Candy Moscow at some point in 2012, and she, her manager Guy Oseary and their business partner will open a third location in St. Petersburg, Russia in the spring. Also on in the works: a Hard Candy fitness center in Toronto, Canada and possible locations in Italy, the UK, France, Australia, Argentina and Brazil. The first Hard Candy fitness center opened in Mexico City a year ago.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2011/12/madonnas-russian-fitness-club-now-open-for-business/

Spanish police arrested a 31-year-old man Wednesday and charged him with illegally leaking an early recording of a new Madonna song on the internet.

At least one demo recording of “Give Me All Your Love” was posted on the web in November, two months before the planned release of Madonna’s first new album since 2008′s “Hard Candy.”

Police did not give the name of the man arrested in the city of Zaragoza in northern Spain, but said his initials were J.M.R. and that he was a big Madonna fan. He was charged and released, a police statement said.

The “Madonnaleaks” investigation began after lawyers for the singer — who said in November that she was very upset over the leak — traced the posting to Spain. Police said they found recordings of the song in a search of the suspect’s belongings.

Intellectual property watchdgos have targeted Spain as one of the world’s largest copyright violators. The Socialist government, which left office this week, prepared a bill aimed at shutting down file-sharing web sites providing copyrighted material. But the law was never sent to Parliament.

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/21/us-spain-madonna-idUSTRE7BK19220111221

**And a shout-out to our member Lucifer-PL for bringing this subject to our attention!

MADONNA is praying constantly for Molly Meldrum as the rock guru remains in a coma.

Article by: Nui Te Koha and Mitchell To - Herald Sun.

(From top) Madonna shares a laugh with Molly Meldrum (2005); Molly interviewing Madonna (1985).

“He is a one and only,” Madonna told the Sunday Herald Sun.

“I’ve always adored Molly and I’m praying around the clock.”

She said Meldrum had been an inspiration throughout her career.

As Meldrum rests in intensive care in The Alfred hospital, still listed as critical, popular singer Michael Buble added his heartfelt best wishes to a global outpouring of support.

Crooner Buble urged his friend to “fight back” from his injuries.

“I was devastated to hear about Molly’s accident,” he said, “my family and I are praying for him.”

It is understood Madonna, Buble and Cher have sent flowers to Meldrum.

It is also believed Sir Elton John, one of Meldrum’s closest friends, is travelling and may not know about the accident. Sources close to John, who visited Meldrum last week while on tour, said the singer would be crushed by the news.

Relatives face an anxious wait as the extent of Meldrum’s brain injury after a fall on Thursday becomes apparent. Meldrum crushed his skull and punctured his lung when he fell in the backyard of his Richmond home while putting up Christmas decorations.

Source:  http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/molly-meldrum-in-critical-condition-after-fall/story-fn7x8me2-1226224315834

Thanks to materialgirl for bringing this to our attention!

After rumors hit the Net on Wednesday that Madonna had signed with Interscope, fans waited to see if the ink had really dried on the contract. On Thursday (December 15), a rep for the singer confirmed the industry chatter to MTV News. In addition to signing with the label, Madge will drop her still-untitled album by the end of March.

Madonna has already completed work on the LP and her single “Gimme All Your Luvin” will be released by the end of January, according to a press release. A demo version of the song, featuring rappers M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj, leaked back in November. The three ladies recently shot a video for the track and made headlines when Nicki tweeted about a kiss she shared with Madonna on set.

The three-album deal with Interscope marks the latest chapter in the Queen of Pop’s career. She’ll now be labelmates with the likes of Lady Gaga and Eminem. She’ll also stay in her 10-year 360 deal, signed back in 2007, with Live Nation for all merchandising and tour-related matters.

“We couldn’t be happier to work with [Interscope's] Jimmy Iovine, [Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Group] Lucian Grainge and the entire Interscope team,” Madonna’s longtime manager Guy Oseary said in a statement. “We anticipate a very bright future at our new home.”

On Thursday, the newly signed Interscope Records artist became a Golden Globe nominee for her “W.E” track “Masterpiece.” “W.E” is Madonna’s directorial effort, and her tune made the cut for Best Original Song — Motion Picture.

EXCLUSIVE DETAILS: Hollywood knows that, when it comes to Madonna, never count her down and out. Because few performers are as shrewd about their careers as this 53-year-old multi-hyphenate singer, actress, producer, and now film writer and director who has stayed buzz-worthy for three decades. I’ve learned that Interscope Records is releasing her new CD in late March – her first album in 5 years. And “Gimme All Your Luvin”, the first single, is coming out the last week in January just prior to her upcoming Super Bowl XLVI halftime appearance on February 5th. I’ve learned that’s the same week her upcoming Weinstein Company film, W.E., is now scheduled for a wide release on February 3rd. So it becomes clear why Harvey Weinstein delayed Madonna’s movie from December 9th in NY and LA: to take advantage of the early 2012 promotional hype which will surround her and provide him with free marketing. That’s especially useful after reviews of the film she directed and co–wrote about American-born Walllis Simpson’s historic affair with Britain’s King Edward VIII have been lukewarm at best and lousy at worst in the U.S. and UK. Weinstein cancelled its Oscar push. I can also reveal that the 3-album licensing deal which Madonna and Live Nation Entertainment just inked with Interscope Records is valued by my sources at $40M. It’s one component of a broad career comeback developed by Madonna, her long-time manager Guy Oseary, and Live Nation Entertainment executive chairman Irving Azoff.

Madonna left Warner Bros records, her label home of 25 years, after the release of her album “Hard Candy” which debuted at No. 1 in 27 countries including the US, UK, Canada, France and Australia. Her subsequent Live Nation-produced “Sticky & Sweet” tour grossed $408 million worldwide, the highest ever for a female artist. Back then, Madonna signed a 10-year multi-rights and multi-faceted deal with Live Nation said to be worth as much as $100M and included new studio albums, touring, merchandising, fan club/website, DVDs, as well as music-related television and film projects and associated sponsorship agreements. This new Interscope deal is an outgrowth of that, and will have Madonna, Oseary, and Live Nation Entertainment’s Chairman of Global Music/CEO of Global Touring Arthur Fogel working with Interscope Geffen A&M Chairman Jimmy Iovine and Universal Music Group Chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge.

Over the course of her extraordinary 3-decade career, Madonna has sold over 300 million albums and holds the record for the most successful tour by a solo artist in history. She is a 9-time Grammy winning singer, songwriter, producer and a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee.

http://www.deadline.com

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Thanks to madonnarama.com