Iconers!

Releasing the new issue of Icon Digital took us

more time than expected! The great news is that
it’s finally here! The other piece of good news
is that Icon Digital is now available as a PDF
file, which allows you to print your copy of the
magazine and to keep it with you wherever you
go!

Madonna is putting the finishing touches to her

03 EDITORIAL
11th studio album as we speak. I’m pretty sure
you’re all as excited about it as we are! While 04 EXPRESS YOURSELF
tons of rumors have circulated about possible 10 DONNA’S LIVE EARTH DIARY
collaborations, looks and styles of the new
album, we will have to wait until the album’s 38 MADONA LOVES H&M
release to find out the truth. The internet has
created so many new ways to interact between
artist and fans! That said, there’s one thing that
will never change when it comes to Madonna:
she will never be where you would expect her
to be. One more reason to keep on loving and
respecting her even more every single day…

Happy reading my friends!

Xo
Johann

ICON DIGITAL #2 - Quarterly publication of The Offi-

cial Madonna Fan Club - Web: www.iconmadonna.
com - Honorary Madonna - Edited by Johann Dele-
barre - Assistant Editor David Marion - Additional
contributions by Madonna and Donna De Lory - Art
direction, layout & design Johann Delebarre & David
Marion - Photo Credits Steven Klein, Matt Mindlin,
Ken Hertz, Frank Micelotta - The usual suspects Ma-
donna, Angela Becker, Guy Oseary, Liz Rosenberg, De-
nise Furano, Sara Zambreno, Jackie & Mary-T, Christo-
phe Caron, Magali Devernay, Bibi & Krys, Théo, Lola
and all Madonna fans around the world... Copyright
© 2007 Boy Toy, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction
without written permission is prohibited.

The reason Madonna stands
above all other artists to me is
because when I was young and
struggling with my identity I
heard on the radio a voice telling
me to Live to Tell and to express
myself. Those very words were
words that helped me through
the day. Madonna continues
singing and inspiring us to Jump
and to Boogie Woogie,
Your fan always and forever,
Giovanni xoxo
iconfan77
Dear Madonna,
Almost a year ago, I was
experiencing and enjoying the
Power of Madonna during your
Confessions tour in Montreal,
Canada ! One of my biggest dream
was to attend to the concert of
my Idol in my own city... and I
realized it twice :) I attended to
both of your show in Montreal, I
can tell you how hard it had been
for me to get the tickets !!!
I had never seen such a
craziness for a music event, YES
people really slept outside to get
to see you Madonna... I feel so
lucky now when I realise that
I had the chance to see you up
close and personal in the front
row, because just being so close
of you is so surreal, magical and
fantastic, I almost can’t explain
it... the best feeling ever is when
you are making eye contact with
the fans :) I appreciated every
moments !!!
One thing that I noticed by
attending to your shows Madonna
is how much love there is in the
place around us ! I felt like we
were one, surrounded by love and
respect !!! YES Music really makes
people come together...
This short letter was a way for
me to tell you a secret Madonna...
My secret is ... YES ... dreams
come true when you really believe
in them and in yourself ! I had no
tickets, I kept faith and I found
a way to get to you, now I have
so many great memories when I
think about my summer of 2006,
the year when I saw the Queen
right close to me :)
MERCI Madonna for coming
to Montreal, you made me
realized my dream... but most
importantly, thank you for being
who you are ! You are a true
inspiration for me ! DON’T STOP !!!
Your fan Dominic
Dearest Madonna,
I wanted to take this time
out to express myself to you and
to tell you how much you mean
to me. For the past 23 years, I
grew with your music. I was 6
years old when I became a fan.
People ask me to this very day of
why I like Madonna. Here’s there
reason why. As a child coming
up, people around me, in my area
especially didn’t listen to your
music because if they did, they
were considered soft and weak.
But the truth of the matter is
that if you are a follower, you are
soft and weak and that’s what I
learned through your music. Your
music defines individuality to the
fullest. Like you said in Justify My
Love «Don’t Be Afraid Of Who You
Are» And that once sentence stuck
with me forever.
EXPRESS YOURSELF
I was fortunate enough to
attend 7 concerts over the last
3 tours you put on and I wasn’t
disappointed in the least bit. You
touched my hand during «Deeper
and Deeper» during RIT and that
made my year. You make it a point
to perform for each individual
in those arenas and that’s what
keeps Madonna Ciccone on my
top playlist on my iPod daily.
With all of this being said, I Love
You.
Dee
Madonna Fan 1984-Forever
Back in December 2005, I
gave birth to my second child,
a boy, named Jackson. He was
healthy and beautiful! Soon,
however, I learned just how
difficult having two little ones
really was. My daughter, Ava, was
two years old at the time, and
going through a phase where she
constantly needed my attention.
The demands of my children,
sleep deprivation, and the stresses
of life were ripe for developing
post-partum depression, and
that’s what happened to me. I
moved through life in a fog for
several months, and when my
kids napped, I would go into our
backyard and cry.
One day, I was driving home
from various errands, and of
course, I had a Madonna CD in
my radio. «Drowned World/
Substitute for Love» came on,
and for some reason, connected
with me. Here I was, with two
healthy kids, a solid marriage, and
a fulfilling career - yet nothing
could fill the void I felt, much
like in the lyrics of that song.
5 - ICON
EXPRESS YOURSELF
Madonna sings about having
fame, fortune, and the attention
of the world, but not feeling
fulfilled. Finally, I felt as though
someone could relate to my
feelings.
I listened to that song over &
over again. When I heard it live
in May 2006 on the Confessions
Tour, I burst into tears - not out
of sadness, but for the emotion
and comfort that the song brings
to me. I feel more connected to
Madonna as a fellow mother now,
then I ever did as a high schooler
in the 1980’s or a young woman in
the 1990’s. Thanks, Madonna, for
writing that song, and for having
a place like Icon where I can
«express myself» to you.
Lisa El-Farra
Icon Name: LisaE
Dear Madonna,
Words cannot express what
you mean to me; I’m a huge fan
since I was eight (now I’m 27) so
you can imagine the importance
you’ve had in my life, you’ve
influenced every step of it and
you continue to be my saviour.
Sometimes I’m not able to think
of something good in my life,
but then I tell myself that just for
living in the same time you live
is a reason to be grateful. Your
music and your teachings help me
to survive in this world and they
are all to me. When I come home
from work and I feel depressed,
I go on the Internet and search
for a recent photo of you around
in London and I feel a lot better.
Thank you for everything you do
and create. I’m looking forward
to your new movie and music
ICON - 6
projects. A big hug to you and
your family.
LOVE LOVE LOVE from
Alessandro, Turin ITALY.
I just want to say how glad I
am for all the work Madonna has
done. I think you are brilliant and
talented and all your efforts are
well appreciated. I wish for all the
best in the future for Madonna
and her family. It has been a
wonderful 25 years of watching
all you have succeeded in. You are
an amazing person and of course
mother.
I am so glad to be a fan, I
will never forget the first time
I saw you (Borderline video). I
have wanted to be like you since,
dressing up like you was always
fun. I will also never forget the
first moment of seeing you live,
next to having my kids it was one
of the best moments in my life
and I am so glad that I will always
have that.
I hope you continue to do all
the good that you can and I look
forward to seeing future projects
of yours. Wishing you all the best
(you deserve it) and your family as
well. Keep strong!!!!
Donnamarie721
(Donna Friscia)
When I first read that
there was going to be another
“Express Yourself” column of Icon
magazine, I was brought back to
the time when the song Express
Yourself was released. I was 14
years old – a prime age for a girl
to be discovering boys in 1989. I
remember the press – as frenzied
as they can get – freaking out
over the image of a female
grabbing her crotch. For many
years to come, you would find
me grabbing mine in an attempt
to make a point. Most people
didn’t get it. But that didn’t
matter because I did, and it made
me feel powerful. Coming from
a family where the female was
heard, but only a voice to “nag”, I
almost needed Express Yourself.
In particular the line “don’t go for
second best baby, put your love
to the test” – what a good line to
start your love life on at the prime
age of 14.
I am now 32 years old, and I’m
married with a daughter. But not
a day goes by where I don’t say to
myself, “Don’t go for second best
baby”. I’d love to be able to thank
Madonna for being such a positive
female role model in my life. Her
words and music and raw emotion
made me realize what it takes to
be a strong woman. And after all
these years she still challenges
herself and always comes out with
a smile – I look forward to passing
on these wonderful things I’ve
learned from Madonna to my own
daughter. Thank you.
Amy Wasnidge
Icon Username: amywaz
Madonna,
I just wanted to take a
moment to applaud you for
writing such a moving and
inspiring song (Hey You).
Everytime I listen to it I am filled
with so much love and light.
Hearing you sing so passionately
throughout the song makes me
HONESTLY believe that a change
will come. Things will get better,
the world will change, and we will

all love, once we learn to wake up!
This song woke me up. It
spoke right to me, and I hope it
reaches millions of others. You are
truly an amazing person with such
a genuine and honest
desire to help the world BECOME...
one person at a time.
Once again, I applaud you and
commend you on your continuous
efforts to be in tune with the
world we are all affected by. I am
sending positive energy your way
(always have, and always will).
Thank you.
Daniel Di Paolo
Dear Madonna,
Ever since I was seven, I’ve
wondered what it might be like
to speak with you. And then I
saw the Express Yourself notice
on Icon, and thought here’s my
chance. The trouble is, it’s not so
easy when there are probably a
million things I would like to say
to you. It’s like the simple things
you try to tell a friend, but keep
putting off. They just get harder
and harder to tell as time passes
by. And the more time that passes
you by, just makes you think there
is no point in saying them at all.
But I think that’s one of the best
lessons you have taught me- don’t
let time pass you by, and take
every opportunity you are offered
as it might not get offered again.
So here I am, Expressing
Myself. I don’t believe you get
handed everything on a silver
plate, but you have to work
hard for your dreams. It’s from
watching your career grow and
change that I have learned to
believe this even more. I know
I’m only 26 years old, so I haven’t
been there to watch your entire
career unfold, but I have been
there for some of the best bits. I
don’t think this matter, because
in everything you do, there is
always a message. Whether this
message is a hidden one, or an
obvious one doesn’t matter either.
What matters is there is always
something to learn from what you
do.
The main thing I’ve learned
from you so far is not to regret. I
never wanted to have a life filled
with regret, so I’ve always tried
hard to say what is on my mind,
and to do everything I’ve wanted.
One was to see you live in concert,
which I got to do on July 7th 2001
during your Drowned World Tour.
I missed the Re-Invention Tour,
which I had regret. Then came the
Confessions Tour, which I saw four
times and each time was better
than the last. I realised how silly
it was to regret not seeing the
Re-Invention Tour, as there was
going to be another. I guess what
I’m trying to say and have always
wanted to say to you is; Thank-you
for all the things you’ve taught
me, because there have been so
many and I am truly grateful.
Love Richard Ward
Icon username rich81
Madonna surprises again!
When the news broke that
Madonna would be releasing her
new single, in aid of Live Earth,
for free...I was so excited!! A new
song? For a worthy cause? And
produced by Pharrell Williams? I
didn’t know what to expect!! Fans
were speculating that the Queen
EXPRESS YOURSELF
of the Dancefloor would become
the Queen of Hip-Hop, and a
reinvention of «Bedtime Stories»
was on the cards. Oooooo...I was
thrilled!!!
When the time came to click, I
downloaded «Hey You» expecting
Pharrell’s usual brand of hip-hop.
But I couldn’t have been more
wrong!! Madge had once again
caught me off guard! Pharrell
and her had produced a beautiful,
simple...dare I say folk song (?!?)
that touched the heart.
One thing about Madonna
- the Icon - she never fails to
surprise! Always the Master of
Reinvention, Madonna keeps her
fans on their toes!
Kathleen Murphy
Madonna,
From the moment I first saw
your Vogue video when I was only
a year old (born in ‘89), I have
been a true blue fan ever since. I
have every single work that has
your name attached to it. I just
wanted you to know how much I
appreciate and admire your hard
work. I am now 18 and seriously
considering a career in music.
Two years ago, I never would have
thought such a career possible.
Your strength and dedication
have inspired me to achieve the
impossible. I hope your success
continues to flourish in the years
to come! Sincerely,
Matthew Hansen
Tucson, AZ
P.S. Next tour, I will definitely
be one of your «front row
bitches!!»
7 - ICON
EXPRESS YOURSELF
Dear Madonna,
I am a member since last
August. I am 36 and I am from
Mexico City. Since I was 15 I
love Madonna. I just want to
ask you, Why you didn’t visit my
country?????. In Mexico you have
a lot of fans, In Mexico you are
the Queen, so please come here.
Please come and let us feel your
music and the most important see
a really true Queen. Madonna I
love you and you are the number
ONE.
Sincerely,
Abigail Pasapera
Dear Madonna,
I logged on to Icon and the
first thing I saw was EXPRESS
YOURSELF, and the message from
Johann. I thought I would do just
that.
Today I got an sms from a
friend who wants to change
my plans for the summer
without asking me, so he can do
something else first. I got kind of
mad...and when I get mad I watch
Madonna concerts loud. They
always get me in a VERY good
mood, especially the Confessions
Tour, cause I had the chance to be
there in London in August. Kind of
brings me back to that special day
in London. I still remember it like
it was yesterday.
You sing in the song «How
High», ..»will it matter when I`m
gone....» It will matter if you are
gone!! You are the best live artist
ever and make my day a whole
lot better whatever the mood
I am in. So keep up with the
great performances, music and
attitude. The world sure would
ICON - 8
not be the same without you!
Like all the other Iconers I will
always love you and support
you whatever you do. You are
my queen forever!! Thank you
Madonna, Keep up the good
work!
xoxo Esben
Dear Madonna,
These little words just to tell
you how much I love you, your
music, the way you move, the
way you act, the way you feel.
I have a deep respect for what
you’ve done since day 1 and I’m
sure you will surprise the whole
world with incredible new stuff in
preparation.
You give me inspiration
in everyday of my life and for
everything I do. Thank you so
much for what you do and keep
on rockin’ Madonna!!!
All the best for you and your
familly,
Love, peace & respect.
Massimo, Belgium.
Dear Madonna & Icon
I just wanted to say i’m
so happy you’ve bought back
«Express Yourself» again! For
so long I’ve wanted to write to
you personally and now and this
might be my only chance to tell
you what impact you’ve had on
me. The past few years have been
particularly tough for me as both
my children have been diagnosed
with potentially life threatening
illnesses. At times when I nearly
hit rock bottom it is you that
has given me the strength and
comfort to get through the dark
times and I want to thank you
so much. The 16th of August last
year was one of the happiest
days of my life as I got the chance
to share your birthday with you
and sing Happy Birthday right
from the front row! What a truly
amazing show that was! I’m in
my third year of Icon but have
been a fan of yours from day one.
I remember seeing you for
the first time on Top Of The Pops
singing Holiday and from that day
to this I have followed your every
move. You have taught me so
much over the years and shaped
me into the person I am today.
You have given me the confidence
not to care what people think
and to fight what I believe in for
myself and my family. You’re like
the big sister I never had who I
look up to when I need guidance
and inspiration and to make me
feel better about myself when I’m
feeling lost.
My two children, the
youngest being the same age as
Lola, also love your music and
children’s books. Every time one
of your songs come on the radio
or tv they make a point of coming
to look for me to tell me you’re on
and they even know some of your
songs word for word! My eldest
son who is 14, accompanied me
to one of your shows last year and
he had the time of his life dancing
and singing the whole time. He
says he wishes he was around
when you first came onto the
scene back in the 80’s as he feels
he’s missed out on some of your
finest work but I’ve told him the
best has yet to come! We can’t
wait to see you again! THANK YOU
SO MUCH!
Love
Michelle Cooper
 LIVE EARTH

DONNA’S
LIVE EARTH
DIARY
Madonna’s beloved back
up singer
joined our girl for a new ad
venture
early July. While rehear
sing for
Madonna’s performance
at Live
Earth, Donna decided to
keep a
journal she would later sh
are with
Iconers! Let’s go behind th
e curtains
and see what it feels like
for a girl
who wants to start a revo
lution!

11 - ICON
LIVE EARTH

ICON - 12
Monday day 1 back with M

I am here in the rehearsal room with all of my

friends from the Madonna crew.We are all so happy
to be reunited. I am especially happy to be with
Nicki my sister again. Stuart and the new Gypsy
guys Eugene and Cergey, pronounced (Sergay)
from the band, Gogol Bordello are working out
their part that they will play on La Isla Bonita. It
is exciting to be here, to be in this process. Stuart
is saying, «When she arrives (Madonna) no matter
what we are doing, it is all going to change». They
are trying to go for something dramatic. The
sound of the guitar and violin with Steve playing
his “four on the floor” drumbeat is so passionate
and inspiring. It is making me want to get up and
dance and forget my jet lag!!! The Jasmine pearl
green tea that I brought from home is definitely
helping too. We are here sitting in our rehearsal
chairs with our lyric sheets. They are just there
to take notes on. We’ll see today when Madonna
gets in how much we remember our parts. I realize
more than ever what a family we are. We all don’t
get together much but the love and chemistry is
always there to tap into.

I IMAGINE THAT ONE DAY ONE OF

THOSE
KIDS WILL BE BEING INTERVIEWED
BY THE
BBC FOR THEIR OWN HIT RECORD
AND
THE FIRST QUESTION THE INTERVIE
WER
WILL ASK IS,»IS IT TRUE THAT YO
U GOT
YOUR START SINGING WITH MADO
NNA
AT WEMBLEY STADIUM?” I WA
S SO
HAPPY TO HAVE THEM THERE TO
FEEL
THAT ENERGY, THAT INNOCENC
E AND
EXCITEMENT.
LIVE EARTH
I arrived last night and immediately
took my walk down to Holland Park
and to my favorite organic café where
I got my wheat grass shot and LARGE
veggie juice with extra ginger. Eugene
is playing percussion on his guitar
right now...I love it!!! There is the Violin.
I am transported to another place
and time. It will be interesting to see
what M thinks of this. The dancers are
rehearsing in the other room down
the hall. There are some new guys to
replace Mihran and Jason, they are out
with Ricky Martin now. Tamara is out
with Avril Lavigne. I sat in my room last
night trying to stay up and watched
the princess Diana concert at Wembley
Stadium. I was getting so excited to
be there in just one week. Nicki and I
just jumped in to sing with the guys!!!
It’s looks like they worked out the
arrangement now. Their energy is so
strong with such conviction when they
play. They are going to do it one more
time just to sink in. Steve is working
out the beat now, something funky
and Romanian...a kind of Gypsy house
rhythm . Trying to get the back beat
in there to support the melody. Just
asked for a more busy hi hat. I love the
open hat sound myself. It sounds so
great with them just playing acoustic
in the room. Here we go from the top
with Monty. I think I will go over and
sing with them.
ICON - 14
5pm
The children’s choir just got here they
are coming in now after waiting in the
hallway for us to finish our rehearsal.
They are getting up on their platform.
I heard there are 47 of them. We will
be rehearsing «Hey You». I just heard
them sing. We rehearsed with them
before but I had to concentrate on
singing with M and couldn’t hear them
in my mix. Hearing them in the room
is soooo sweet. M went over to them
and told them to stand up straight
and proud and that millions of people
would be watching them she told
them how they would all be coming
down to the end of the stage and how
the camera would capture each one of
their faces so they should have a good
expression. I was reminded of all of the
singing that I did as a child. I looked
at a little girl and imagined me there.
I remember someone talking to me
that way. I think it was Barry Manilow
when we did a TV special with him
and sang his song,»One Voice» I
remember how much I loved music
and the seriousness and excitement
of a performance. I just wanted to cry
when I heard their voices with their
British accents.
When they were finished rehearsing
then M asked them to come to her
one by one so they could have a hair
 O F TH E MA GIC OF
ED
I WAS REMIND L AN D THE
R FES TIVA
AN OUTDOO Y W E WERE
GO F W H
DEEP MEANIN
ALL THERE

discussion. The first little girl who came
down had long braids. Her hair was
dark, straight and silky. Madonna told
her it looked perfect and to not change
a thing. We all know those discussions.
As she reminded us, it’s all about the
details. That is one of the reasons
she is so brilliant. We will be moving
tomorrow to another space where we
can spread out more. We just listened
to the recording that Ray, the outside
front engineer, made of La Isla Bonita.
It sounds so great!!! Another remix
that everyone will want. It took all day
to work out the arrangement and it is
perfect now. I am going home to sleep
tonight!! I want to get over this jetlag.
Day two Tuesday rehearsals
On the way to the rehearsal Eugene
and Cergey sat next to me. Eugene was
playing his guitar. A beautiful traditional
Ukrainian folk song. I asked him what it
meant, he said, «why didn’t you come,
didn’t you have your horse?» It was a
beautiful soundtrack to looking out the
window feeling the fresh air on my face.
Another perfect magical moment on
the road. They are Gypsy’s. I have always
felt like one myself. I’ll like to ask Eugene
how he defines a Gypsy. It seems to me
to be a free spirit living a more abstract
life connected to all feeling at home
LIVE EARTH
in all places. The music is such a part
of us like our breath it never stops. I
am sitting here now in the new space
waiting to get started. Cergey is walking
around playing his violin as Stuart plays
samples on the computer. We will have
a couple of hours to rehearse before M
gets here. I have to go learn my words
to «Hey you».
Day three Weds. of rehearsals
We are getting a later start today here
on the soundstage. Monty is right next
to me playing his acoustic guitar as I sit
on his riser next to his stacked up amps
to write this. This is where the power is.
The dancers are in the sound stage next
door. I peaked in on them when I arrived
here today to see what they were doing.
It was a big flashback to our rehearsals
before the tour. The room they are in is
a huge sound stage and it feels like it is
30 degrees hotter than the band room.
Things are starting to get going here. M
will be here soon and we will probably
run through everything before she
gets here. I need some time today to
open up my voice. Stuart is running
around in his blue striped shirt with his
pink ear monitors hanging out of his
ears and Marcus is playing his newly
arrived Roland midi white accordion.
He joked in the bus on the way here
17 - ICON
 LIVE EARTH

EYE.
THAT GIRL HAS GOT AN
S WHAT SHE WA NTS IN A SECOND
SHE KNOW

19 - ICON
LIVE EARTH
that he was waiting this morning to
get a complaint while he was playing
in his room, maybe someone calling
security and saying, «Can you tell the
guy in the Italian restaurant to keep it
down». There are always good jokes
flying on the bus ride to and from
rehearsal. Monty is talking about his
fingers hurting from playing so much.
He says that his calluses need a chance
to build up again. I better go run the
songs now.
Rehearsal is over and we just finished
our fitting. We are wearing Black suits.
There are two to choose from, Donna
Karen and Theory one of my favorites.
Carisa who is Angela’s assistant but
helping out with wardrobe for this
took, Polaroid’s that Madonna will see
to pick which suit she prefers. There
are also accessories to choose. Can
you imagine all of those details for
all of those people. That girl has got
an eye. She knows what she wants in
a second. And my shoes??? Well, they
are high and I will have to get used
to them. I think this gig is the most
challenging on my feet that are used
to wearing tennis shoes and walking
in the mountains most of the time. On
my way back from the wardrobe room
I saw the children’s choir waiting for
their fitting. A few of them recognized
me and said if you see Madonna will
you tell her Ben says hi.I told him that I
ICON - 20
was sure he would see her and tell her
that himself.He just giggled and turned
bright red!. Another boy named Sasha
said that his aunt told him when he
was a little boy that one day he would
sing at Wembley Stadium. His smile
was so big when he told me that and
it touched my heart. I asked them how
many of them wanted to be singers
when they grew up and they all raised
their hands.
I am looking forward to talking to
them more. I am really enjoying all
of this new energy around and new
people. Eugene and Cergey are so
special and real. You will see when you
watch them. They are pure inspiration.
All they can say about this is that it
is going to be CRAZY!!!! Eugene, the
singer, is learning some new steps for
the end of Hung up. He asked me to
teach him during rehearsal and then
Madonna told him that he had to go
to dance rehearsal today. He certainly
has his own unique way of moving...
you’ll see. This week is flying by and I
am savouring every moment being
here. Being on the road and so far from
home is so abstract. It frees your mind
in a way. Also because there is no house
to clean, no dog to feed, no phone to
answer and no child to make brush her
teeth and put on her sunscreen!!! I do
miss my Sofia so much but I know she
is having fun with family and friends.
LIVE EARTH

ICON - 22

Thursday day 4 rehearsals
It is the end of a long day and I am back
in my room waiting for my room service
to come. Pasta and Broccoli. Today we all
moved to one big soundstage to get a
better feel for the stadium and to work
out the choreography. The first time that
we went through the run through with
the dancers, I couldn’t believe their energy.
So big, and that was rehearsal?? We went
through the songs a couple of times this
time with our suits on to show Madonna.
She didn’t like the scarf I was wearing so
she gave me her own designer scull scarf
that she had been wearing. Then she said,
«those aren’t the right shoes» referring to
my more comfy rehearsal shoes that I wore
in “Holiday” three tours ago. The look this
time is black patent leather. It’s another job
for Carisa to find patent leather shoes that I
can stand in for four songs and dance!! All
of the sizes that they got for me to try on
were too small. After we did a couple of run
through’s the children showed up. It was
the first time for them to sing and walk to
their places. Believe it or not, sometimes
walking is the hardest thing to do. It took a
few times before they got it. In the middle
of one of the passes doing Hey You, one
little boy left the riser and fell to the ground
LIVE EARTH
right in front of the mark at the end of the
stage. He was right in front of us as we
were singing,» save your soul little brother»
doubled over as people came rushing over
to him. I thought that he fainted from being
nervous but it was because the sound was
so loud with so much bass that he was dizzy.
I just wanted to go over and help him, get
him a cool towel for his head but he was
taken care of right away.
After that Madonna told all of them no
more fainting and we went right into Ray of
Light continuing on with the run through.
She told the other children who were now
waiting at the back of the room, you are my
audience so you have to stand up and jump
up and down. I was imaging 90,000 people
doing that in two days. I can’t wait to feel
that rush again. I imagine that one day one
of those kids will be being interviewed by
the BBC for their own hit record and the
first question the interviewer will ask is,»Is
it true that you got your start singing with
Madonna at Wembley Stadium?” I was
so happy to have them there to feel that
energy, that innocence and excitement.
There is nothing like the first time in front of
a crowd like that. For me it was the WHO’S
THAT GIRL TOUR in a stadium in Osaka
Japan. You either realize that this is what
23 - ICON
 you are born to do and the nervous energy
just drives you to your greatness or you see
the people and realize you just can’t breath
like that let alone sing.
I had a great conversation with Eugene the
singer that Madonna is featuring on La Isla
Bonita, you know the one. He told me that
he came to this country from Eastern Europe
when he was 19 and his family settled in to a
refugee community in Vermont. He said there
were many family members, cousins, uncles...
All living in a box. I asked him what his Mother
thought of his music and he said she f____in
loves it. He told me that she is a Gypsy herself
and has always been supportive of him.
Check out their new CD it’s coming out this
week. Well I am going to go now and start to
ICON - 24
wind down. It is so fun to have you out there
to write to. Thanks for reading these words,
there is so much that I want to share with you.
It’s the next best thing to being here right?
Friday the day before the show
I am sitting in the dressing room at Wembley
Stadium waiting to go on for sound check.
We finished today at the rehearsal studio, ate
lunch and went into hair and make up. It is so
exciting here. All the different Artists names
are on the doors as we walked in one after
another Genesis, Metalica, Foo Fighters, Snow
patrol, Duran Duran. Well, we had to kick
Snow Patrol out of our area because there are
so many of us you know. There are posters
everywhere about the Climate Change and
 E, T HE S IN G E R, IS LEARNING
EUGEN
E W S TE P S FO R THE END OF
SOME N
U P. H E C ER TA IN LY HAS HIS OWN
HUNG
F M O VIN G...YOU’LL SEE
UNIQUE WAY O
Live Earth Fact sheets which helps to remind
us of why we are here. I am right next to the
choir they are all crowded into one room in
the back which is actually a big bathroom. I
think they are the first ones to get into their
costumes of different shades of black and
white as Madonna described when I asked. It
is starting to get really crazy and loud around
here. We will be walking to the stage in one
hour that is time to do last minute make up
touches, make some fresh Ginger tea and get
my fabulous suit on ..oh where’s my black
bra..oh yeah in my bag, whew!!! Don’t you
love how I am telling you everything. I am
going to get a camera tomorrow. I have been
bumming Nicki’s by saying let’s get a pic of
this, let’s take that.
I feel better today after a 9 hour night’s sleep. I
love it when that happens. Nicki is in here too
typing away to her best friend and laughing
uncontrollably. We had another sing along in
the car with Eugene who always travels with
his guitar around him. We did a little Patsy
Cline, Johnny cash and Zydeco. This is almost
over and I am embracing every moment. I am
so thankful to have yet another great peak
experience!! My black patent leather shoes
have gone in to be taken in so I hope they are
not too uncomfortable. It was so fun to do
the run through in tennis shoes, oh that’s how
those dancers do hip hop so well. I can’t wait
to go outside tomorrow to walk around and
see all of the booths and people gathering.
It’s so cool to be green!!!
25 - ICON
LIVE EARTH

SHE LOOKED
LIKE SHE HAD
A SMILE ON
THIS FEELING HER FACE. I A
AFTER PERFOR LWAYS HAVE
MING WITH
SOMETHING HER OF BEIN
POWERFUL, A G A PART OF
PERFORMANC
FORGET. WO E THAT PEOPLE
RKING WITH WILL NEVER
HER ALWAYS
GREATNESS A REMINDS ME
ND POTENTIA OF MY OWN
L TO CREATE
UNIQUE AND SOMETHING
POSITIVE. I BELI POWERFUL,
EVE THAT WE
OTHER ARE ALL MIRRO
RS FOR EACH
ICON - 26
LIVE EARTH

It is the end of the night now and I am back in my hotel

room ordering room service. What time is it anyway...oh
midnight. Just like coming back from a show on tour. It
was a long day. We stayed on the stage for quite a while
to rehearse. The first time we all walked out there is was
so great to see all the lights and be looking out to the
empty stadium with a few crew people in their yellow
jackets out in the audience. Usually when we sound
check all of the artists come out to watch and everyone
else in the area. I couldn’t identify any of the bands
though they were too far away. When Madonna got out
on stage she asked, «ok, where do I stand to start? Who’s
in charge here?» No one answered. She said I have to
know when to come out, what is my cue? Where do I go
when I leave? That’s a good question huh? Well someone
finally came to the stage with a headset he put his hand
out and said,»my name is Roger nice to meet you» and
he let her know what the plan was. He said, «you will be
introduced». After she worked that out and got the cue
for the lighting the «pin spot» that would be on her in
the beginning, then we went through our performance.
The sound was great we were all surprised.

It is usually not in a stadium. By the time we were ready to

run the set again they told Madonna that the crew had to
go and the PA had to be turned off because of overtime.
She asked if some of them would stay till we were done
rehearsing. It is a whole other deal when you are not in
control of the show. Madonna even said ,»Hey I’ll pay
you overtime!!». It was the first time I saw everyone in
their outfits and they looked beautiful. Madonna’s dress
was stunning as usual. Everything felt so good. Nicki and
I found our sweet spot on stage where we were not in
front of the side fills and not too close to Monty’s amps.
It took a minute to get used to the sub base and adjust
the volume of my ear monitors. The sound on stage was
reminding me of doing a track date singing «On and On»
with Junior Vasquez at Twilo in New Your City. I had never

ICON - 28
 WE WENT THROU
GH THE SONGS A
COUPLE OF TIMES
OUR SUITS ON TO THIS TIME WITH
SHOW MADONN
A. SHE DIDN’T LIK
WAS WEARING S E THE SCARF I
O SHE GAVE ME
HER OWN DESIG
THAT SHE HAD BE NER SCULL SCAR
EN WEARING. TH F
EN SHE SAID, «TH
RIGHT SHOES» R OSE AREN’T THE
EFERRING TO MY
MORE COMFY RE
THAT I WORE IN “H HEARSAL SHOES
OLIDAY” THREE TO
URS AGO
LIVE EARTH
heard so much bass frequency before.
You just have to go with it.
Live Earth show day 7/7/07
The sun was shining on this very special
Sunday and there was a lightness in
the air. Everything looked so different
after not seeing the sun for six days. I
went out walking in the morning and
people seemed happier on the street to
be in the sun. I got to go by my organic
food store as well on my way back to
the hotel so I was very happy. We all
left the hotel at 4:30pm to arrive at the
venue early so we could hang out and
see the show and have plenty of time
to get ready. As we pulled away Steve
Sydelnick started to chant, «we’re going
to Wembley, Wembley, Wembley!!!». The
audience was in the stadium already
so there wasn’t too much traffic. Duran
Duran was just finishing when we got
there. The next band up was the Red
Hot Chili Peppers. I was reminded of the
magic of an outdoor festival and the
deep meaning of why we were all there.
Each artist said something to remind
everyone of what they can do and how
they can change. The video footage and
voice over that they played in between
the sets was very informative too. I was
praying that the millions of people
out there watching were getting the
message. I stayed there to watch Metallic
and Spinal Tap. I was standing in the
VIP area mainly watching the screens
ICON - 30
because we were still so far away.
The sound was great in the Stadium.
The boys in the band had been in their
room rehearsing a Spinal Tap song «Big
Bottom». They are huge fans and I was
wondering what they were up to. They
all went over to play with Spinal Tap in
their dressing room and the next thing
you know they are on stage with them.
There was Monty in between the guys
from Metallica with a big smile on his
face. I knew that was a peak moment
for him and sure enough later he said
this was the best day of his life. He’s
been talking about Metallica since I met
him on the first tour he did. Watching
the charisma and intention from these
performers was inspiring for myself as
an artist. I also saw Keane who I had
never seen they blew me away! I loved
their first song. I didn’t get to hang out
with Al Gore but I did see Simon from
Duran Duran and reminded him of a
meeting we had once when he wanted
to sign me to his Japanese label. He said,
«I remember your song, «Love Never
Dies” that was a great song». I also saw
the singer from Keane in the hallway
and told him they were great and thank
you. The words he said to the audience
were so uplifting and conscious with so
much heart.
It was 7:30 already and time to get
ready. I went back to get my hair done
in the male dancers changing room. The
LIVE EARTH

ICON - 32
LIVE EARTH

33 - ICON
 IT WAS GREAT TO
FEEL THE LOVE A
ND BLOW KISSES
IT WAS TIME TO BACK.
START AND I LO
OKED OVER AN
MADONNA IN H D SAW
ER SPOT LIGHT A
ND THE CHOIR LO
SO BEAUTIFUL. I W OKING
AS TAKING IN TH
IS PRECIOUS MOM
I LOOKED UP IN TH ENT AS
E SKY. EVERYTHIN
G SOUNDED GRE
WHEN THE DRUM AT AND
S CAME IN, THEY
FELT SO GRAND
STADIUM. I COULD IN THE
HEAR THE VOCA
LS PERFECTLY IN
EARS AND IT SOU THE IN
NDED GREAT
 LIVE EARTH

time passed so quickly and our tour manager came in and

said five minutes and the boys started to change while my
hair was going into curls. I wasn’t nervous at all before that.
Then I realized that I had so much to do. I still had to use the
bathroom and do my eyes warm up, change and steam my
shoes, don’t ask! They wanted us all ready early to walk to
stage and get in our.

Nicki and I went with the band to the stage. On our way
we passed Spinal Tap’s dressing room. We told them how
much we loved them as we passed. When we were down
the hall but still within their site we yelled,»how do we get
to the stage???» They said,»ahhh! get out of here». Well, what
can I say, every step to that stage was so exciting. We were
going to be on the revolving stage as it spun around. The
Foo fighters were playing and it was rockin and loud. I put
my ear monitors in and still couldn’t hear anything as we
talked into our mics. I noticed a guy taking pictures back
stage so I asked if he would take some of us right before we
spun around. I shouted out my e mail so I could get them
right away to put up for you to see. The Foo Fighters were
on their last song and my heart was pounding faster. I heard
Madonna’s voice in my ear monitors and knew she was on
stage. She sounded pretty calm. It is always funny to hear
what she is saying to people before a show. We spun around
and they got the stage ready for our performance.

They had to put a new floor down and set the mics for the
choir. Many people were waving to us from the audience.
It was great to feel the love and blow kisses back. It was
time to start and I looked over and saw Madonna in her
spot light and the choir looking so beautiful. I was taking in
this precious moment as I looked up in the sky. Everything
sounded great and when the drums came in, they felt so
grand in the stadium. I could hear the vocals perfectly in
the in ears and it sounded great. Can’t wait to hear what it
sounded like on TV. The next three songs were so fun and

35 - ICON
LIVE EARTH

it was great to see everyone jump up and down with us. All of the
sudden it was the end of «Hung up». I grabbed my mic, singing
time goes by so slowly with M and we were all spread out on the
stage dancing at the end of the song while Madonna is getting the
audience to sing. I saw her give the cue to Stuart to end the song
and then I ran to the other end of the stage trying not to run into
a dancer to get to my place for the final disco step, roll and freeze. I
love that part. We all took a bow and the show was over.

We ran off the stage to give our ear monitors and belt pack to the
crew. I saw Madonna at the other side of the stage and wanted to
ask her how it was for her but their was no time, she was rushing
off. She looked like she had a smile on her face. I always have this
feeling after performing with her of being a part of something
powerful, a performance that people will never forget. Working
with her always reminds me of my own greatness and potential
to create something powerful, unique and positive. I believe that
we are all mirrors for each other. All of the artists involved in Live
Earth are examples to us all by making that effort to be there at
the concert to help people, not because they are getting paid. They
show us all that we have that potential as well to make a change
and commitment to help make this world a better place for all
living things for generations to come. I am proud to have been
there with this intention and it has been another great memory
to add to my life. I hope you were inspired by the concert too and
keep reading info on what you can do. It is time to not look the
other way. Sometimes I know it is hard to see the truth of what is
happening to our Mother Earth. I believe that facing the truth will
make us change and ultimately set us free. Please go to algore.com
for more info on what you can do and thank you for being there
and for all of your support. It has been great to share these past few
days with you. Keep shining your light!!
Love and Peace,
Donna

For more info and music go to

www.myspace.com/donnadelory

ICON - 36
 FASHION

Madonna loves

H&M
When you think about Madonna, you think
music, stage, movies and books. When your
friends think about her, they think music,
provocation and superstar. When the press
think about Madonna, they think music, private
life but also fashion. Madonna is all about
fashion and how to create a new trend. Even
if it has never been her express purpose, she
has changed fashion several times in the past
25 years.. Detailing each of them would take
ages, but if you need to clearly see what she has
brought to fashion and modelling, then just
look for all of the back issues of Elle Magazine
or Glamour. It’s not that Madonna is featured in
all of them the influence of her style is.

39 - ICON
FASHION

Yes, if you get to see a new style of dress,

then look for Madonna’s past few videos
and public appearances and you’ll see for
yourself that magazines and designers
are just following her lead more often
then not. How do you explain her ability
to be such a trend setter? So many
articles have been published about it,
trying to answer a question Madonna
herself probably couldn’t. It’s all about
inspiration and the way she wants her
image to fit a new album or movie. She
could do like most stars and ask a stylist
for ideas and concepts. While Madonna
has her own stylist, the collaboration
always begins with what Madonna has
conceptualized.

And that is exactly what Madonna did

when H&M offered her the opportunity
to design for their stores. The ‘M
by Madonna’ collection was not all
Madonna’s first collaboration with the
brand. H&M was behind the street wear
collection worn by our girl and her
dancers during her 2006 Confessions
Tour as well as the black, white and
purple tracksuits designed by H&M for
Madonna that sold out instantly as soon
as they hit the stores’ shelves late spring
2006. The main difference between
the tracksuits and the ‘M by Madonna’
range is that this time, Madonna was in
charge of the collection’s development,
working with H&M’s head designer
Margaret Van den bosh. Our girl wanted
her collection to be an extension of her
own daily wardrobe. It was meant to be
made of clothes she would wear on a
day to day basis (not on the red carpet!)

ICON - 40

and feel comfortable and sexy in. This
is how it all began, even if it’s quite
hard to imagine Madonna standing
in her dressing room, looking for her
favourite dresses and suits! However,
when you check out the final
collection, you can clearly see that
it’s all Madonna’s style and inspired
by what she wears when going to a
business appointment or spending
the night out with family and friends.
While some people get their names
printed on books they didn’t write,
Madonna writes them herself and
acts the very same way when it comes
to create a full collection of clothes!
The campaign’s imagery is everything
you could expect from Madonna. It’s
sexy, fresh and a little bit dark at the
same time, so you easily understand
that what you see is not necessarily
what you get. She can be strong,
fragile but at the end of the day she
knows what she wants and her clothes
show it all. Once again, Madonna
teamed up with Steven Klein, the guy
who knows how to capture both sides
of her personality in a single picture.
The campaign’s concept was all
about a strong woman showing she
can be stronger than a man at work
but remain a woman made of flesh,
feelings and fun. When H&M debuted
the campaign, Madonna’s image was
seen everywhere inside of their stores,
but also everywhere a human being
can walk or work. Most buildings
turned in Madonna branded tower,
her eyes watching over the streets
FASHION
of New York, Tokyo, Paris and almost
everywhere else. Being a Madonna
fan has never been so exciting cause
we were not the only ones to think
about her on a daily basis as the whole
world was doing the same each time
they were going to work, reading a
magazine or even watching TV.
The H&M collection also gave her
the opportunity to test something
she had never tried before: to direct
a commercial! We all know that
Madonna loves to be in charge and
to control projects from A to Z…
And the H&M collection was no
exception. While the finalized TV
ad was broadcasted through short
clips, the original cut is probably one
of the funniest ads we got to see in
IT’S SEXY, FRESH
AND A LITTLE BIT
DARK AT THE SAME
TIME, SO YOU EASILY
UNDERSTAND THAT
WHAT YOU SEE IS NOT
NECESSARILY WHAT
YOU GET. SHE CAN BE
STRONG, FRAGILE BUT
AT THE END OF THE
DAY SHE KNOWS WHAT
SHE WANTS AND HER
CLOTHES SHOW IT ALL.
41 - ICON
FASHION
years. Madonna used her own sense of
humour to create the storyboard, and it
has nothing to do with first degree at all
but more with who you secretly think she
is and how she can treat people around
her when she’s not on stage. Let’s make
it clear, Madonna is not like that at all, but
she is just so good at playing that part
you wish the ad would last for 1 hour and
30 minutes. Dressed with the clothes she
designed for the campaign, a dominatrix
ICON - 42
Madonna is looking for “it”. Through the
eyes of her character, things can be “it”,
but most aren’t. It’s all about bringing
her what she will love and what she will
reject. She is looking for perfection, yes,
just like when she is working on her own
projects!
Another character featured in the TV ad
is one of Madonna’s personal friends,
Nunzio, who was working with Donatella
 FASHION

Versace a few years back. Madonna instantly DRESSED WITH

fell in love with his charisma and his sense of
humour. But when she first asked for him to THE CLOTHES SHE
appear in the ad, Nunzio just refused! Who can
say “no” to the one and only Madonna you will
DESIGNED FOR
ask? Nunzio just didn’t want to join the project THE CAMPAIGN,
as he had never acted before and thought he
couldn’t play someone he’s not in the real life.
A DOMINATRIX
It took Madonna a little while to get a “yes”, but MADONNA IS LOOKING
she succeeded after asking him to just remain
himself and to act the same way he was used
FOR “IT”.

43 - ICON
FASHION
WHILE NUNZIO WOULD
PROBABLY NEVER TALK
THE WAY HE DOES IN
THE AD WHEN AT HOME
OR WITH FRIENDS, HE
JUST LET HIMSELF GO
AND GAVE MADONNA
WHAT SHE WAS WAITING
FOR: FUN, FUN, FUN!

back in the Versace days. In the fashion
world, things and people need to be a
little over the top, and you need to play
the game in order to get famous! While
Nunzio would probably never talk the
way he does in the ad when at home or
with friends, he just let himself go and
gave Madonna what she was waiting for:
fun, fun, fun!
After watching the ad, you really wish the
ICON - 44
two of them would get to collaborate
again in the future. Can you imagine
Nunzio featured in one of Madonna’s
future music videos or even in a short
movie she would direct and play in? A
fan is entitled to dream, right?
Madonna celebrated the international
release of her collection on March 15 by
attending the launch party in London.
Dressed in one of her own creations,
our lady looked flawless and you could
see she was enjoying the moment. She
was probably as nervous as she is when
releasing a new album because it was
her first time as a fashion designer. Will
the collection be a success? Will people
like the style she had developed? Those
questions were still unanswered at the
time, but as we all know, the answer to
the both of them would later turn to
be a huge “yes”! Fans from all around
the world, as well as fashion lovers and
fashion addicts visited their local H&M
store the very same day, taking home
all of the ‘M by Madonna’ clothes their
credit card would authorize to pay. In
terms of commercial success, the ‘M by
Madonna’ collection turned to be a great
one… Rumors say that a new Madonna
collection could see the light of day in a
near future. True or not, fashion addicts
are entitled to dream too, right?
45 - ICON