» Madonna Career Diary (By Maurice Gravelle)

» 1994 Mar (8) "I'll Remember (Theme From The Motion Picture With Honors)" single is released. (12) Madonna makes a surprise unannounced appearance at the AIDS Dance-A-Thon benefit in San Francisco, CA. (15) Madonna attends the 8th annual Soul Train Music Awards at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA. (17) "I'll Remember (Theme From With Honors)" video premieres on BBC1-TV's Top Of The Pops. (20) Madonna wins a Razzie Award for Worst Actress in Body Of Evidence at the 14th annual Golden Raspberry Awards at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel Academy Room, Los Angeles, CA. (21) "I'll Remember (Theme From With Honors)" video premieres on MTV. (31) Madonna guests on CBS-TV's Late Show With David Letterman: during the 20-minute interview, she says the word "fuck" 13 times, makes obscene remarks and wisecracks, refuses to leave the set and is rude to her host; her lewd and vulgar behavior causes a public and media controversy and Letterman also expresses his displeasure by her appearance on his show. Apr (26) "Madonna: The Girlie Show - Live Down Under" is released on home video and laserdisc. Madonna attends the Los Angeles premiere of Alek Keshishian film With Honors. May (14) "Madonna: The Girlie Show - Live Down Under" hits US #3 on Top Music Videos chart. Madonna attends the opening of Planet Hollywood restaurant in Miami, FL. (18) Madonna makes a surprise appearance on NBC-TV's The Tonight Show (hosted by Jay Leno). (28) "I'll Remember (Theme From With Honors)" hits US #2. Jun (14) "I'll Remember (Theme From With Honors)" single is certified gold (500,000 units). (15) Dangerous Game is released on home video. (24) Madonna attends "The Beat Goes On: The LifeBeat Benefit Concert" at the Beacon Theatre, New York, NY. Jul Madonna films a cameo appearance as a singing telegram girl for Wayne Wang and Paul Auster movie Blue In The Face. (19) Madonna contributes "Goodbye To Innocence" to benefit CD Just Say Roe. (26) Madonna files a temporary restraining order against 26-year-old Todd Lawrence, a deranged fan who is stalking Madonna at her Los Angeles, CA mansion and also claims to be her husband. Aug (23) Todd Lawrence is sentenced to one-year in jail on misdemeanor charges for stalking Madonna. Sep (1) Madonna is named Diva Of The Decade by CD Review magazine. (8) Madonna and David Letterman present the Best Video Of The Year award to Aerosmith for "Cryin'" at the 11th annual MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY. (14) "Secret" single is available for downloading on the internet on America Online (AOL) and CompuServe. (20) "The Immaculate Collection" video is certified 3x platinum (300,000 units). (27) "Secret" single is released. (29) Madonna and 3 ex-dancers reach an out-of-court settlement on a lawsuit they filed against her in 1992. Oct (4) "Secret" video premieres on MTV. (5) Madonna arrives in Paris, France on a promotional tour for her new CD Bedtime Stories. (15) Madonna participates in Jean-Paul Gaultier's spring/summer 1995 ready-to-wear collection fashion show in Paris, France. (25) Bedtime Stories CD is released. Nov (1) Madonna is voted Worst Actress, Worst Female Singer and Most-Overexposed Celebrity in US magazine reader's poll. (3) Madonna begins filming "Take A Bow" video in Ronda, Spain, directed by Michael Haussman. (5) "Secret" hits US #3. (12) Bedtime Stories hits US #3. (16) Madonna begins filming Four Rooms: she appears as a witch in "The Missing Ingredient" segment starring Tim Roth, Sammi Davis, Amanda de Cadenet, Valeria Golino, Ione Skye, Lili Taylor, Alicia Witt and directed by Allison Anders. (29) Madonna: Innocence Lost, a made-for-TV movie based on Christopher Andersen's 1991 book Madonna Unauthorized, premieres on Fox-TV. (Madonna is played by 26-year-old newcomer Terumi Matthews). (30) "Take A Bow" video premieres on MTV. Dec (5) Madonna begins filming "Bedtime Story" video at Universal Studios, Los Angeles, CA, directed by Mark Romanek. (6) "Take A Bow" single is released. (12) Madonna attends the New York premiere of Robert Altman film Ready-To-Wear (Prêt-A-Porter). » 1995 Jan Madonna releases her second book: The Girlie Show, with 70-pages of photographs, capital letter text and a 3-song live CD from "The Girlie Show" world concert tour of 1993. (5) "Secret" single is certified gold (500,000 units), Bedtime Stories is certified 1x platinum (1 million units). (11) Madonna is #10 on Mr. Blackwell's 35th annual list of the worst-dressed women of 1994. (30) Madonna and Babyface perform "Take A Bow" at the 22nd annual American Music Awards at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA. Feb (9) "Madonna: The Girlie Show - Live Down Under" video is certified gold (50,000 units), Like A Virgin is certified 9x platinum (9 million units) and True Blue is certified 7x platinum (7 million units). (13) Madonna makes a surprise appearance on CBS-TV's Late Show With David Letterman. (18) Madonna performs "Secret" and "Take A Bow" on Wetten Dass TV show in Ravensburg, Germany. (20) Madonna performs "Bedtime Story" at the 14th annual Brit Awards at the Alexandra Palace, London, England. (22) Madonna performs "Take A Bow" at the San Remo Song Festival in San Remo, Italy. (25) "Take A Bow" hits US #1 for 7 weeks - her first #1 single in 3 years. (27) "Take A Bow" single is certified gold (500,000 units), Bedtime Stories is certified 2x platinum (2 million units). Mar (1) Madonna begins a series of promotional ad campaigns in various North American magazines for Gianni Versace fashions. (13) After 10 years with CAA, Madonna changes agents by signing with the William Morris Agency. (15) Madonna is signed to star as the late Eva Peron in film version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Broadway musical Evita. (16) The Immaculate Collection is certified 6x platinum (6 million units). (18) Madonna hosts a pajama party for 1,500 fans at Webster Hall, New York, NY, to celebrate the premiere of "Bedtime Story" video broadcast live on MTV and also reads a bedtime story of Miss Spider's Tea Party by David Kirk. (21) Madonna is featured in a public service announcement for VH1. (27) Madonna attends the post-Academy Awards party at Chasen's restaurant, Los Angeles, CA. Apr (13) "Bedtime Story" single is released. (25) After signing with the William Morris Agency on March 13, Madonna changes agents again by switching to ICM. (29) "Bedtime Story" hits US #42. May (6) "Bedtime Story" drops to #52 and completes Madonna's run of 32 consecutive Top 40 US hits. (15) "I'll Remember (Theme From With Honors)" is honored as one of the Most Performed Songs Of 1994 at the 12th annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA. (19) "Human Nature" video premieres on MTV. (29) Robert Hoskins, 37, is shot by a security guard outside Madonna's Castillo del Lago estate, Los Angeles, CA for trespassing on her property and threatening to marry or kill Madonna. Hoskins, who is shot in the arm and hip, is arrested on $150,000 US bail; Madonna is not at home during the incident. Jun Madonna films a cameo appearance as the madam of a telephone sex service for Spike Lee movie Girl 6. (1) Madonna attends the Parkinson's Disease Foundation salute to Muhammad Ali at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, New York, NY. (6) "Human Nature" single is released. (24) Madonna makes a surprise appearance to introduce a live performance by UNV at KISS-FM and Aquafina's 3rd annual KISS & Unite concert at the Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, Irvine, CA. (27) Madonna reads the poem "If You Forget Me" by Pablo Neruda on The Postman (Il Postino) soundtrack CD. Jul (15) "Human Nature" hits US #46. Aug (17) Madonna celebrates her 37th birthday party at The Delano Hotel, Miami, FL. Sep (7) Madonna presents the Best Rap Video award to Dr. Dre for "Keep Their Heads Ringin'" and wins Best Female Video for "Take A Bow" at the 12th annual MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY. (24) Madonna arrives in London, England to begin 2-month recording sessions for Evita movie soundtrack. Oct (1) Madonna attends the London premiere of film Assassins (starring Antonio Banderas). (2) Madonna begins recording Evita soundtrack at CTS Studios, London. "I Want You" video world premieres on VH1. (13) Blue In The Face is released in US. (17) Madonna (with Massive Attack) contribute a remake of 1976 song "I Want You" to Marvin Gaye tribute CD Inner City Blues: The Music Of Marvin Gaye. (18) "You'll See" is available for downloading on the internet at www.wbr.com. (19) "I Want You" video is featured on MTV documentary Inner City Blues: The Music Of Marvin Gaye. (21) "I Want You" video hits #11 on VH1. (23) Madonna begins filming "You'll See" video in London, England, directed by Michael Haussman. Nov (2) "You'll See" video premieres on MTV. Madonna performs "You'll See" on BBC1-TV's Top Of The Pops in London, England. (7) Something To Remember greatest ballad hits CD is released. (21) "You'll See" single is released. (22) Madonna is interviewed by Jane Pratt on VH1's VH1 To One. (25) Something To Remember hits US #6. Dec (3) Madonna attends the 1st annual VH1 Fashion & Music Awards at Lexington Avenue Armory, Manhattan, NY: she presents the Fashion's Future award to Gucci's Tom Ford and receives the Most Fashionable Artist award by ex-husband Sean Penn. (13) Madonna is interviewed by Forrest Sawyer on ABC-TV's PrimeTime Live. (16) "You'll See" hits US #6. (21) Madonna is subpoenaed to testify against her stalker, Robert Hoskins, at the Criminal Courts Building, Los Angeles, CA on Jan 3, 1996; if she ignores the order, a $5 million warrant will be issued for her arrest. (23) Madonna wins 2 Billboard Music Awards: Top Hot 100 Singles Artist - Female and Top Hot Dance Club Play Artist. (25) Four Rooms is released in US. "Oh Father" is released as a UK single. » 1996 Jan (2) The trial of Robert Hoskins begins at the Criminal Courts Building, Los Angeles, CA; Madonna's lawyer, Nicholas DeWitt, files a motion to seek approval from the court that she videotape her testimony, but it is rejected by Judge Jacqueline Connor who orders Madonna to testify in court. (3) Madonna appears at the Criminal Courts Building, Los Angeles, CA in Courtroom 116 to testify against Robert Hoskins. (6) "Oh Father" hits UK #16. (8) Robert Hoskins is found guilty and convicted on 5 charges of assault, stalking and threatening to kill Madonna. (11) Madonna is #1 on Mr. Blackwell's 36th annual list of the best-dressed women of 1995. (12) Four Rooms is released nationwide. (17) Madonna accepts an award for David Bowie, who is unable to attend his induction into the 11th annual Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame at The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York, NY. (18) Something To Remember is certified 1x platinum (1 million units). (20) Madonna arrives in Buenos Aires, Argentina to begin film production on Evita. (25) Madonna receives death threats from Argentine conservatives who are enraged and insulted that she is playing Eva Peron in Evita; since her arrival in Argentina, over 50 walls throughout the city have been spray-painted with the words: Viva Evita! Fuera Madonna! (Long Live Evita! Get Out, Madonna!). Feb (6) Madonna and the cast of Evita attend a press conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (13) Madonna begins filming Evita, co-starring Antonio Banderas, Jonathan Pryce and Jimmy Nail, directed by Alan Parker. (24) Madonna is the centre of a controversy when animal-rights group PETA places a full-page advertisement in Billboard magazine as an attack on her for promoting bullfighting in "Take A Bow" and "You'll See" videos. (27) "You'll See" single is certified gold (500,000 units). Mar (4) Madonna is named Most Successful International Female Artist at the 5th annual Echo Awards in Hamburg, Germany. (10) Madonna lip-synchs "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" for a scene in Evita before a crowd of 2,000 extras on the balcony of the Casa Rosada, the same location where the late Eva Peron addressed her people 50 years earlier. (11) "One More Chance" is released as a UK single. (19) "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" (a remixed version of 1978 Rose Royce song originally recorded by Madonna in 1984 on Like A Virgin album) is released as a US single. (22) Robert Hoskins is sentenced to 10-years in jail for stalking and threatening to kill Madonna. Girl 6 is released. (23) "One More Chance" hits UK #11. (24) Madonna wins a Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actress in Four Rooms at the 16th annual Golden Raspberry Awards at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel Academy Room, Los Angeles, CA. Madonna arrives in Budapest, Hungary to continue filming Evita. Apr (1) "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" video premieres on VH1. (16) Madonna announces she is 4-months pregnant by her 29-year-old boyfriend and personal trainer, Carlos Leon. (29,30) Madonna is interviewed by Bryant Gumbel on NBC-TV's Today. May (3) Madonna continues film production on Evita at Shepperton Studios in London, England. (18) "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" hits US #78. (20) "Take A Bow" is honored as one of the Most Performed Songs Of 1995 at the 13th annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA. (28) Madonna completes filming Evita in London, England after 84-days of production and a $60 million budget. Jun (11) Blue In The Face is released on home video. (13) A New Madonna: The Making Of Evita special (hosted by Kurt Loder) premieres on MTV. Jul (16) Four Rooms is released on home video. (18) Madonna makes a special appearance to introduce a live performance by Me'Shell NdegeOcello at the 9th annual Commitment To Life benefit for AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) at the Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles, CA. Aug (6) Madonna and brother-in-law Joe Henry contribute a remake of "Guilty By Association" to Vic Chesnutt tribute CD Sweet Relief II: Gravity Of The Situation - The Songs Of Vic Chesnutt. Girl 6 is released on home video. Oct (8) "You Must Love Me" video premieres on MTV. (14) Madonna gives birth to a 6-lb, 9-oz girl, Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon, at Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles, CA. (29) "You Must Love Me" single (from Evita) is released. Nov (12) Evita: The Complete Motion Picture Music Soundtrack 2-CD set is released. (15) Madonna appears via telephone call from Rosie O'Donnell on CBS-TV's The Rosie O'Donnell Show. (18) Something To Remember is certified 2x platinum (2 million units). (23) "You Must Love Me" hits US #18. Dec (3) "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" video premieres on VH1. (4) Madonna is honored with the Artist Achievement Award at the 7th annual Billboard Music Awards at the Aladdin Hotel Theatre For The Performing Arts, Las Vegas, NV. (It is her first public appearance since the birth of her daughter). (10) The Making Of Evita book, written by Alan Parker with a preface by Madonna, is released. (12) Madonna attends a press conference to promote Evita at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Marina Del Rey, CA. (13) Madonna guests on CBS-TV's The Oprah Winfrey Show. (14) Madonna attends the world premiere of Evita at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA. (16) Madonna is profiled on NBC-TV's Access Hollywood and is also featured in an interview on ABC-TV's Entertainment Tonight. (17) Madonna is interviewed on CTV's Canada A.M. (18) Madonna arrives in London, England to begin her world tour of Evita premieres. (19) Madonna attends the premiere of Evita at the Empire Theatre, Leicester Square in London, England. (20) Madonna attends the premiere of Evita at the Cinema Etoile in Rome, Italy. (23) Madonna completes her world tour of Evita premieres in Madrid, Spain and returns home to US for the Christmas holidays. (25) Evita is released in New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA. (29) Evita grosses $334,440 during its Christmas holiday release in New York and Los Angeles. (30) Madonna is named one of the "25 Most Intriguing People In The World For 1996" by People magazine. » 1997 Jan (3) Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon is baptized at St. Jude Melkite Catholic Church, Miami, FL. Evita is released in 20 US cities. (5) Evita hits #20 at the US box-office with $2.22 million during its limited weekend release. (9) Madonna guests on CBS-TV's The Rosie O'Donnell Show. (9,10) Madonna is featured in a 2-part interview with Matt Lauer on NBC-TV's Today. (10) Evita is released nationwide. (12) Evita hits #2 at the US box-office with $8.4 million on its nationwide opening weekend (704 theatres). (13) Madonna is interviewed on CBS-TV's This Morning. (14) Madonna is #3 on Mr. Blackwell's 37th annual list of the best-dressed women of 1996. (15) Evita wins Best Motion Picture, Musical Or Comedy at the 1st annual Golden Satellite Awards in Los Angeles, CA. (19) Madonna wins Best Actress In A Motion Picture, Musical Or Comedy in Evita at the 54th annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA; Evita wins Best Motion Picture, Musical Or Comedy and "You Must Love Me" wins Best Original Song, Motion Picture (Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice). (24) Evita: The Complete Motion Picture Music Soundtrack is certified 1x platinum (1 million units). Feb (1) Evita: The Complete Motion Picture Music Soundtrack hits US #2. (11) "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" (from Evita) is released as a maxi-single in US. (16) Madonna makes a special appearance at Elizabeth Taylor's 65th birthday party at The Pantages Theatre, Los Angeles, CA. (24) Happy Birthday Elizabeth: A Celebration Of Life premieres on ABC-TV. Mar (1) "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" hits US #8. (3) Madonna is named Most Successful International Female Artist at the 6th annual Echo Awards in Hamburg, Germany. (14) Madonna wins the American Moviegoer Award for Outstanding Performance By A Female Actor in Evita. (18) "Another Suitcase In Another Hall" (from Evita) is released as a UK single. (24) Madonna performs "You Must Love Me" from Evita at the 69th annual Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA and it wins the Oscar for Best Original Song by Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice. (29) "Another Suitcase In Another Hall" hits UK #7. Apr (8) Evita: The Complete Motion Picture Music Soundtrack is certified 2x platinum (2 million units). (19) Madonna is featured in a special pre-taped video at the 10th annual Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards in Los Angeles, CA. (27) Evita has grossed $49 million US and a global total of $140.9 million. (29) Madonna contributes "Freedom" (recorded in 1994) to the Rainforest Foundation benefit CD Carnival!. May (15) Like A Prayer is named one of the "200 Best Albums Ever Made" by Rolling Stone magazine. (19) "You'll See" is honored as one of the Most Performed Songs Of 1996 at the 14th annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA. (20) "Madonna: The Girlie Show - Live Down Under" (1994) is released on DVD. Jun (28) Madonna attends the Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield heavyweight fight at the MGM Grand Garden, Las Vegas, NV. (30) Madonna begins recording a new album with producer William Orbit at Larrabee Studios North, Los Angeles, CA. Jul (16) Like A Prayer is certified 4x platinum (4 million units). (28) Madonna writes a one-page tribute to Time magazine in memory of the late Gianni Versace, who was murdered on July 15. (29) Evita: Music From The Motion Picture CD (highlights from Evita soundtrack) is released in US. Aug (5) Evita is released on home video. (19) "Buenos Aires" (from Evita) is released only to club DJs and radio stations in US to promote Evita on video. (26) Truth Or Dare (1991) is released on DVD. (30) Evita: Music From The Motion Picture hits US #167. Sep (3) In an interview with The London Times, Madonna speaks about the death of Princess Diana, who was killed in a car accident in Paris, France on Aug 31, 1997. (4) Madonna makes a special appearance to introduce a live performance by Prodigy at the 14th annual MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY. (8) Madonna attends a memorial service for Gianni Versace at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Manhattan, NY. (9) A League Of Their Own (1992) is released on DVD. Nov (1) "Buenos Aires" hits #3 on US Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. (3) Madonna attends Marc Jacobs fashion show at the opening of New York City's 7th On 6th annual Fashion Week. (13) Madonna, Tina Turner and Courtney Love are photographed on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine's 30th anniversary issue. Dec (8) Madonna attends the Gianni Versace tribute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, Manhattan, NY. » 1998 Jan (7) Madonna begins filming "Frozen" video in the Mojave Desert, CA, directed by Chris Cunningham. (13) Madonna is #3 on Mr. Blackwell's 38th annual list of the worst-dressed women of 1997. (18) Madonna presents the award for Best Actor In A Motion Picture, Musical Or Comedy to Jack Nicholson in As Good As It Gets at the 55th annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA. Feb (14) Madonna performs a surprise mini-concert at 2:00 am to a sold-out crowd of 2,500 at The Roxy Club, New York, NY to promote her new CD Ray Of Light - it is her first club performance in 14 years. (16) "Frozen" video premieres on MTV. (17) Madonna arrives in London, England to begin her European promotional tour for Ray Of Light. (21) Madonna performs "Frozen" on BBC1-TV's National Lottery Show in London, England. (24) Madonna performs "Frozen" at the San Remo Song Festival in San Remo, Italy. (27) Madonna performs "Frozen" and is interviewed on TF1's Les Années Tubes TV show in Paris, France. (28) Madonna performs "Frozen" on Wetten Dass TV show in Duisberg, Germany. Mar (1) Inside Madonna TV special premieres on MTV. (2) Madonna completes her European promotional tour for Ray Of Light in Madrid, Spain. (3) Ray Of Light CD and "Frozen" single are released. (6) Madonna visits Toronto, ON, Canada to promote Ray Of Light: she attends a press conference at The Sutton Place Hotel and is interviewed live at 6:00 pm on MuchMusic TV. (10) "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" wins Favorite Song From A Movie (Evita) at the 4th annual Blockbuster Entertainment Awards at the Pantages Theatre, Los Angeles, CA. (13) Madonna guests and performs "Frozen" on NBC-TV's The Rosie O'Donnell Show. (15) Madonna attends the New York premiere of film Wide Awake (starring Rosie O'Donnell) at the Ziegfeld Theatre. (21) Ray Of Light hits US #2. (23) Madonna presents the Oscar for Best Original Song to James Horner and Will Jennings for "My Heart Will Go On" from Titanic at the 70th annual Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA. (24) Evita is released on DVD. (25) Madonna begins filming "Ray Of Light" video in Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY, directed by Jonas Akerlund. Apr (1) Madonna attends the premiere of film Mercury Rising in Beverly Hills, CA. (4) Madonna presents the Kids' Choice Blimp Award for favorite movie to Titanic and introduces a live performance by Cleopatra at the 11th annual Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards at the UCLA Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA. "Frozen" hits US #2. (12) Madonna Rising TV special premieres on VH1. (22) Madonna attends the New York premiere party of film Two Girls And A Guy at the club Moomba. Ray Of Light is certified 2x platinum (2 million units). (27) Madonna performs "Frozen" with the East Harlem Violin Project at the 9th annual Rainforest Foundation Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY, and also joins Elton John, Sting, James Taylor, Billy Joel, Herbie Hancock, Roberta Flack, Emmylou Harris and Joe Cocker in a rendition of The Beatles' "With A Little Help From My Friends" and "Twist & Shout". (28) Madonna attends the New York premiere of film Artemisia. (30) "Frozen" single is certified gold (500,000 units). May (8) Madonna is signed to co-star with Rupert Everett in Paramount Pictures film The Next Best Thing. (12) "Ray Of Light" video premieres on MTV. (18) "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" is honored as one of the Most Performed Songs Of 1997 at the 15th annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA. (21) Like A Virgin is certified 10x platinum (10 million units). (29) Madonna guests on CBS-TV's The Oprah Winfrey Show: she performs "Ray Of Light" and "Little Star". Jun (23) "Ray Of Light" single and video single are released. (25) Madonna begins filming "Drowned World/Substitute For Love" video in London, England, directed by Walter Stern. (30) Madonna - BIOrhythm TV special premieres on MTV. Jul (1) Madonna and Lourdes attend a Spice Girls concert at Madison Square Garden, New York, NY. (7) Madonna is the centre of a controversy when The London Daily Mirror accuses her of exploiting the late Princess Diana's tragic death in "Drowned World/Substitute For Love" video; a spokeswoman for Madonna releases a statement explaining that the video has nothing to do with Princess Diana and her life or her death. (11) "Ray Of Light" hits US #5. "Ray Of Light" video single hits US #4 on Top Music Videos chart. (25) "Drowned World/Substitute For Love" video premieres in Europe. "Ray Of Light" wins Video Of The Year at the 1998 VH1 Viewer's Vote Awards. Aug (1) Madonna is named VH1's Artist Of The Month. (8) Madonna begins filming "The Power Of Good-Bye" video in Los Angeles, CA, directed by Matthew Rolston. (12) Madonna is interviewed on ABC TV's Entertainment Tonight. (14) Madonna wins Best International Act at the German VIVA Comet Media Awards at the Akropolis in Cologne, Germany. (16) Madonna celebrates her 40th birthday. Madonna: Behind The Music documentary premieres on VH1. (24) "Drowned World/Substitute For Love" is released as a UK single. (25) Madonna reads the poem "Bittersweet" on Deepak Chopra's 2-CD set A Gift Of Love - Deepak & Friends Present Music Inspired By The Love Poems Of Rumi. (31) Madonna is interviewed on the set of "The Power Of Good-Bye" video on ABC-TV's Entertainment Tonight. Sep (5) "Drowned World/Substitute For Love" hits UK #10. (10) Madonna performs "Shanti/Ashtangi" and "Ray Of Light" at the 15th annual MTV Video Music Awards at the Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles, CA; "Ray Of Light" wins Best Video, Best Female Video, Best Direction, Best Choreography, Best Editing and "Frozen" wins Best Special Effects. "Ray Of Light" single is certified gold (500,000 units). (9,10) Madonna is featured in a 2-part interview on ABC-TV's Good Morning America. (11) "The Power Of Good-Bye" video premieres on MTV. (16) The World Vaishnava Association (WVA) condemns Madonna's performance of "Shanti/Ashtangi" at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept 10 as sacrilegious in which she wore a holy facial marking and a see-through blouse. The New York Post announces that Madonna is dating 29-year-old British film director Guy Ritchie. (17) Madonna releases a statement against the WVA's criticism of her MTV performance: "The essence of purity and divinity is non-judgement… they should practice what they preach… if they're so pure, why are they watching MTV?" (24) Madonna accepts the Best International Video award for "Ray Of Light" via taped message at the 9th annual MuchMusic Video Awards at the Chumcity Building, Toronto, ON, Canada. (27) Madonna is guest of honor at the 14th annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles at Paramount Studios, Hollywood, CA. (28) Madonna narrates a chapter of "The Emperor's New Clothes" story on the Starbright Foundation benefit CD The Emperor's New Clothes: An All-Star Retelling Of The Classic Fairy Tale. (29) "The Power Of Good-Bye" single is released. Oct (15) Madonna is featured in book Ladies Home Journal's 100 Most Important Women Of The 21st Century. (21) Madonna presents the Man Of The Year Award to Sting at GQ's Men Of The Year Awards at Radio City Music Hall, New York. (22) "Borderline", "Papa Don't Preach", "True Blue" and "You Must Love Me" singles are certified gold (500,000 units). (23) Madonna performs "The Power Of Good-Bye" at the 4th annual VH1 Fashion Awards at the Theatre in Madison Square Garden, New York, NY; she is honored with the Gianni Versace Tribute Award and wins Most Fashionable Artist. (30) Madonna begins a European promotional tour for "The Power Of Good-Bye" single. Nov (1) Madonna makes a surprise appearance in London, England to present a lifetime achievement award to film director Alan Parker (Evita) at the Directors' Guild of Great Britain dinner in his honor on a boat on the River Thames. (7) Madonna performs "The Power Of Good-Bye" on Wetten Dass TV show in Linz, Austria. (9) Madonna is interviewed on NRJ Radio Show in Paris, France. (10) Madonna performs "The Power Of Good-Bye" and "Drowned World" on TF1's Les Années Tubes TV show in Paris, France. (12) Madonna performs "The Power Of Good-Bye" at the 5th annual MTV Europe Music Awards at the Fila Forum in Milan, Italy and wins 2 awards: Best Female and Best Album (Ray Of Light). (14) Madonna attends a press conference at the Grand Hotel in Stockholm, Sweden - her first visit to Sweden in 8 years. (15) Madonna performs "The Power Of Good-Bye" and is interviewed on Luuk TV show in Stockholm, Sweden. (17) Madonna performs "The Power Of Good-Bye" and "Drowned World" on El Septimo De Caballeria TV show in Madrid, Spain. (19) Madonna performs "The Power Of Good-Bye" on BBC1-TV's Top Of The Pops in London, England. (20) Madonna is interviewed by Johnny Vaughan on his BBC-TV show in London, England. (28) "The Power Of Good-Bye" hits US #11. Dec (6) Madonna narrates "The Camel Dances" story on animated HBO-TV special Rosie O'Donnell's Kids Are Punny. (7) Madonna congratulates Tony Bennett on his 50th anniversary in show business via taped message during his A&E-TV special Tony Bennett - Live By Request: An All-Star Tribute. (9) Madonna attends the 9th annual Fire & Ice Ball at Universal Studios, Los Angeles, CA. (11) Ray Of Light is certified 3x platinum (3 million units). (26) Madonna wins 2 Billboard Music Awards: Top Dance Club Play Artist and Top Dance Club Play Single ("Ray Of Light"). (30) In Denmark, Madonna and Ray Of Light are named the most popular artist and album of 1998. » Continue: Madonna Career Diary 1999 - 2000