Alan Ilagan

This is an out-take (I think) of Madonna’s latest Dolce & Gabbana ad campaign. It was not used in the first part of the campaign, and that was a wise decision. From her awkward-albeit-agile stance to the ruinous mess it makes of her wardrobe (yes, it’s Madonna, but it’s still a fashion ad, no?) this just doesn’t work for me. What’s worse, for some reason the work she’s had done on her face seems more apparent here than in other recent photos.

There is an art to editing, and pulling back at just the right moment. Madonna has always been a master of that – only releasing the very best images of herself, and the very best songs. [I used to think she could do no musical wrong, but in recent years her B-sides have convinced me to leave well enough alone and stop hoping for a B-side compilation. ('Cyberraga' anyone? 'Keep the Trance'?)]

This photo, like most of her B-sides, is simply not one of my favorites. (But to be honest, I’m just happy to see her out of sunglasses, a ponytail, scarf and hat. When is she going to finish this directing stuff already?)

There are stories circulating that Madonna was offered $1 billion for a Vegas residency for five years, a la Celine Dion, Elton John, Cher, etc. Personally, I don’t see it happening, at least not for another twenty years. Madonna is not one to station herself in one city for more than a few months at a time, and her European sensibilities don’t quite align with Las Vegas.

She poo-pooed Vegas slightly in Truth or Dare (or at least allowed back-up singer/dancer Nikki to do so – screeching “Madonna’s Vegas Show” as she put a palm frond over her breasts), and even more-so in I’m Going to Tell You A Secret, as she decried the hot-dog eating fans at the Las Vegas stop of the Re-invention Tour.

While it would undoubtedly be a lucrative deal, there’s no way she would shackle herself down for five years at this point – by the time it was over she would almost be 60. I just can’t see it – not yet. (Though it would be amazing to see what kind of Vegas show she would produce.)

Because I know she reads this blog, I’d like to wish Madonna a very Happy Birthday. Say what you will about her, she still looks stunning at 52. Now if she would only think about releasing some new music…

Come join the party…