SHE’S the Queen of Pop, having masterminded her record-breaking career over four glittering decades.
So it should come as no surprise that Madonna — who is recovering from a nasty infection than landed her in intensive care — has no plans to give up control, even when she is no longer with us.
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I am told that Madge has laid down the law about exactly what record label bosses and music execs can and can’t do after her death.
In particular, it’s thought she is adamantly against allowing cheap gimmicks to tarnish her legacy — specifically the use of holograms.
A source said: “With the exception of Abba Voyage, the use of holograms to bring performers to life has been questionable, to say the least.
“Whitney Houston’s hologram tour was panned by critics and Madonna refuses to let money-hungry bosses do the same to her.
“She has spent her whole life calling the shots and maintaining cultural relevance — and there is no chance she’s letting all her hard work be tarnished.”
Madonna is keen not to let her estate be frittered away among arguing family members either, and has decided to share the rights to her tracks equally between her six children.
She also plans to give some to her long-term manager Guy Oseary as a thank you for being by her side through the good times and the bad.
Music royalties can provide thousands of pounds of income to those they are gifted to, with George Michael quietly sharing the rights to his tracks with close family members after his passing.
Last month, Madonna sparked fears among fans following the health scare at her US pad.
She was rushed to hospital, where she remained for a number of days while being treated for a “bacterial infection”.
Reports say the Like A Prayer hit-maker is currently “weak and very tired” as she battles to get back to full health at home under the watchful eyes of her personal doctor
Prior to her hospital dash, the singer had been enduring gruelling 12-hour days as she rehearsed for her Celebration World Tour.
The 84-date global trek was due to kick off in Vancouver on July 15, but all work commitments are now postponed as Madge fully recovers.
I told earlier this month how less than 24 hours before she was hospitalised, Madonna had secretly been in the studio with fellow superstar Katy Perry.
On the same day, Madge was also spotted visiting New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is the location of the world-famous Met Gala charity bash.
Reel treat for Robbie fans
THERE is good news for fans of Robbie Willliams.
The Angels singer has revealed his upcoming biopic, Better Man, will feature a previously unheard song.
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When asked if his followers can expect fresh material, Robbie said: “There’s obviously the back catalogue – and a new one.”
The film, which is being made by Greatest Showman movie director Michael Gracey, will tell the story of Robbie’s life from his early years through to Take That and his amazing solo success.
And in a new interview, he said he made sure he was hands-on with the content.
Robbie added: ”It feels absolutely insane, to be honest with you I’ve been on set and I’ve been heavily involved with the script and the production of the film.
“There’s so many feelings towards this film. It’s not just ‘this is incredible and I deserve this’, and ‘this is amazing’ – it’s going to be fantastic.
“It’s sort of like being invited to the best birthday party you could ever wish for and not feeling that you truly deserve it in some way.”
The modest star even has the jitters that some fans won’t love the film as much as he does.
He said: “What we have so far with this movie is absolutely incredible, but there is a million miles between having something in the can and the audience agreeing with you.
“It’s kind of scary. You’re once again, in this industry, laying yourself bare and hoping that people don’t come and hit you with a s****y stick.”
I’m sure they won’t, Rob.
Rod’s in the swing
ROD STEWART kept it in the family for the last of his summer shows.
The Maggie May crooner surprised fans by welcoming his sister Mary on stage for his gig at Edinburgh Castle.
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Despite being one of the world’s biggest stars, Rod once again proved he is just like us as he chatted to fans outside the local branch of Tesco.
The star will now enjoy a break but promises to be back.
Rod said: “I’m not retiring. I’ve just done a swing album with Jools Holland, which is going to come out next year, so I want to go in that direction.
“I just want to leave all the rock ’n’ roll stuff behind – for a while, maybe.”
I have to admire his determination and stamina.
Just looking at Rod’s schedule makes me tired.
Beyonce shows her metal
FORGET AI – it looks like Beyonce has become a living, breathing robot.
The Run The World superstar squeezed into a metallic bodysuit and matching thigh boots as she kicked off the North American leg of her Renaissance tour.
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After enjoying a well-earned break – which included a romantic trip to Paris with husband Jay Z – Bey is back on the road, starting with two concerts at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.
In another bold look, Beyonce sported an oversized black hat and camo jacket – finishing it off with a long blonde weave.
Queen B is rumoured to be working on a second volume of her hit Renaissance album.
As with everything to do with Beyonce, the project is shrouded in secrecy, but chatter is growing online that Act II could be just a few weeks away.
I have no doubt the world will once again stop if and when she does drop another surprise album.
Hazza’s missile hazard
TIKTOK has a lot to answer for.
While social media can be great for connecting people to their idols, some ridiculous online “trends” have to stop.
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The latest sees so-called fans chucking items at singers as they perform . . . for no other reason than they want a viral clip to upload.
The latest victim is Harry Styles, who grimaced in pain after being hit by a flying object during his latest show in Vienna.
Luckily he managed to carry on but it’s the latest in a long line of idiotic attacks.
Just last month the As It Was singer was smacked in the face by a tossed bunch of flowers during a gig in Cardiff.
Elsewhere, Drake has had to dodge a flying iPhone and Bebe Rexha was left needing stitches after she was struck by a mobile.
Just enjoy the gig, people.
Ben back with new banger
RISING star Ben Davidson is my one to watch this week.
The Glasgow-based singer will release his latest single Wow on Friday – and it’s an infectious summer pop banger.
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Ben, who has previously toured with the Sugababes and Westlife as part of boy band Most Wanted, is busy working on a remix EP.
It’s set to include revamps of some of his past singles, including One More Hit, which narrowly missed out on a Top Ten spot in the iTunes singer/songwriter charts when it was released in 2021.
Ben will make his Manchester Pride debut next month performing at Via, with Steps star Claire Richards also on the bill.
Spring time for Orlando
HIS wife Katy Perry is one of the sexiest stars on the planet.
But after cuddling up with his missus, Orlando Bloom only had eyes for Bruce Springsteen at American Express Presents BST Hyde Park, after the pair sneaked in to watch the gig from the VIP area.
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An onlooker told me: “Katy and Orlando were quietly ushered in as Bruce took to the stage. Orlando was obsessed with Bruce and sang along to every song while Katy filmed him.
“There were bottles of Moet flowing and they stayed until the very end before going backstage to party with Bruce’s E Street Band.”
My insiders told me the pair were in good company at the event on Saturday, with Dr Dre, Rami Malek, Emma Corrin and even ex-PM Liz Truss all seen dancing.
Despite the pelting rain, everyone was in high spirits, with House Of Peroni proving ever-popular after they transformed the back of the site with a giant Italian-style facade.
I bet the hangovers this morning were as legendary as Bruce’s tracks.
Ava has the max factor
AVA MAX wowed fans with a high-energy set at Mad Cool Festival at the weekend.
The Who’s Laughing Now singer wore red PVC shorts and a matching top at the ever-popular event in Madrid.
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Earlier this month Ava teamed up with Alok on new track Car Keys, which is set to be yet another pop smash for the blonde starlet.
The festival boasted one of the best line-ups of the year, with Sam Smith, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Lil Nas X all on the bill.
Luckily Ava’s set went off without a hitch after she was attacked on stage last month by a fan.
The singer was left holding her face after being scratched in the eye by a man during a gig in California
Taking to Twitter shortly after the incident, Ava said: “He slapped me so hard that he scratched my eye.”
Weeknd’s record gig
HIS HBO show The Idol starring Lily Rose Depp has been plagued with controversy but that hasn’t stopped The Weeknd.
The superstar singer has broken not one but two records thanks to his shows at London Stadium.
He now holds the highest attendance across two nights of any tour at the venue with 160,000 fans packed in, as well as the highest single night attendance of any show at the stadium with more than 80,000 fans in the crowd.
The Canadian singer will bring the tour back to the capital on August 18 for a final show at Wembley Stadium.
Clearly controversy does indeed sell.
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