Inside Madonna’s lavish 64th birthday party at Italian Palace which saw her spend thousands flying in friends and family
AS the undisputed Queen of Pop it’s only right that Madonna would have a regal birthday party.
I can reveal she has splashed thousands on a bash to remember as she turns 64 today.
Living up to her Material Girl nickname, Madonna will fly friends and family to Sicily, after falling in love with the Italian island on a previous trip.
Preparations have been going on for weeks for the singer to host a lavish dinner at the Palazzo Castelluccio, which is a stunning 18th-century Sicilian palace.
The celebration evening will be rounded off with live music under the stars.
A source said: “As with every birthday, Madonna will host an epic party, but this year will be particularly special.
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“The palace is nothing short of spectacular. I can only imagine she has blown tens of thousands on the evening. But when you’re worth £700million, money isn’t an issue.
“The plan is to have dinner and drinks outside under the Mediterranean sky with a live band. All of her family are flying to the island with her.”
Teasing her big day in typically unsubtle style, she has been taking to Instagram to share a string of racy snaps, alongside the caption: “It’s almost my birthday . . . send me presents.”
Last year, Madonna celebrated her birthday in Italy alongside boyfriend, professional dancer Ahlamalik Williams.
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However, in April The Sun revealed that the couple had gone their separate ways after three years.
Madonna has enjoyed a bumper few weeks, which has seen her return to the charts once more.
Not only has she appeared on a remix of Beyonce’s Break My Soul, but she also released a remix of her 1984 hit Material Girl alongside TikTok rapper Saucy Santana.
Last week she hosted an album launch party alongside Chic’s Nile Rodgers in New York City to celebrate the release of her remix album Finally Enough Love.
Appearing on US TV chat show Tonight Starring Jimmy Kimmel, Madonna reminisced on how she kicked off her record-breaking career.
She said: “I would bring my cassette tapes to the DJs and drive them relentlessly as I just wanted them to play my cassette. I finally got one to play Everybody, and I swear to God I had to promise everything to get it played.
“When he played it, everyone got up and started dancing and it blew my mind.
“It was everything to me. Nile Rodgers wanted my first single to be Material Girl but somehow Like A Virgin ended up being it. Those were the days when I had no say in anything.”
Four decades later I think it’s safe to say she will have a say in just about everything for this week’s bash.
DOLL NIC INDULGES AT PARTY
NICOLE SCHERZINGER looked radiant in California as she headed for a day of pampering.
The Pussycat Dolls singer wore a floral frock as she made her way to the annual Day Of Indulgence party in Los Angeles.
The star-studded, all-Female event, which is hosted by telly and film producer Jennifer Klein at her home, was also attended by Nicola Peltz and Brooklyn Beckham.
It offers guests the opportunity to shop at pop-up boutiques, enjoy spa treatments and take home plenty of expensive freebies.
It comes after Nicole revealed recently she had “found more balance in her life” during the pandemic.
She told US pastor Toure Roberts on his podcast, One: “We were forced to slow down and I could hear the whispers of my heart.
“I had more balance within and being reminded of what I really loved and called for.”
LEIGH-ANNE PINNS HOPES ON ALISON
LEIGH-ANNE PINNOCK may be one of the biggest stars in the country but behind closed doors she is just like us mere mortals.
The Little Mix singer admits she loves nothing more than bingeing on reality TV and cannot wait for the return of Big Brother.
Taking to Twitter, Leigh-Anne threw her support behind This Morning host Alison Hammond to front the new series, which kicks off on ITV2 next year.
Sharing a report that Alison is the favourite with producers to follow in the footsteps of Davina McCall, she wrote “Please please let this be true” and the love-heart eyes emoji.
Leigh-Anne has recently returned to the UK after a well-earned month-long break in Greece.
The star has been using her downtime to think about how to navigate a solo career now that Little Mix are on a hiatus.
I previously told how she’d landed a massive recording deal with Warner Records UK.
The move means she is now label buddies with fellow British stars Dua Lipa and Ed Sheeran.
I hope for her sake they install a TV in the studio so she can catch up on all the BB action when it returns.
CONGRATULATIONS are in order for James Bay after he announced he has tied the knot with his childhood sweetheart Lucy Smith.
The Hold Back The River singer took to Instagram to share the news, with two wedding snaps captioned: “Mr & Mrs Bay, August 2022.”
James and music promoter Lucy have been together for 15 years and welcomed their first child, Ada Violet, last October.
The Brit Award-winning star previously credited his new wife for inspiring his music and revealed how he “wouldn’t be here without her”.
JESS BACK WITH A BRIT OF HELP
JESSIE J is back in the studio and has sent two songs to Britney Spears as part of a plan to make a huge comeback next year.
I can reveal the Price Tag hitmaker has written a ballad for Britney as well as a track similar to the US singer’s 2004 record My Prerogative.
Jessie who announced she had suffered a devastating miscarriage last year, is set to channel that pain into her lyrics and is looking to go in a pop-soul direction after she last released new music in 2018.
A music insider said: “Jessie has been so open about her personal experiences and wants to turn pain into power to inspire people who have been through what she has.
“She has sent two songs to Britney and is also working with American band Louis York on new music, with an eye for a massive comeback in 2023.
“Jessie wrote some of her new songs in lockdown as well as in Los Angeles, where she worked with Louis on their Songs With Friends record.”
It comes after the Do It Like A Dude singer opened up about her struggles with fame at a sell-out performance in London last month.
She said on stage: “When I talk to my parents after a gig, I take it off.
“This whole celebrity thing is so weird to me and how people are even more obsessed with how I look than I am.
“I have gained weight and I’ve not been to the gym in ages. But honestly, I feel great. I’m not 17 any more and I want to make a baby. I am trying to do that and my body is changing shape.”
ROBBIE FEELS THE IBIZA LOVE
I FEAR my Ibiza days are well past me – even if a cold pint on a summer’s day is still one of life’s greatest pleasures.
So I have nothing but admiration for Robbie Williams, who has just completed a trip to the party island completely sober.
Not only that, but he also pulled off a series of high energy late-night pop-up gigs as boozy revellers danced around him.
Robbie made surprise appearances at 528 Ibiza, Ibiza Rocks and legendary venue Pikes, once popular with music greats George Michael and Freddie Mercury.
Joining DJ group Lufthaus, Robbie belted out a series of the group’s hits, as well as a dance remix of his 2002 hit Feel.
While a bottle of Grey Goose vodka was perched on top of the DJ booths, teetotal Rob, who hasn’t had a drop in more than 20 years, opted for fizzy drinks.
A source said: “Rumours Robbie was going to pop up were swirling for days, but nobody knew exactly when and where. When he did, he seemed to be loving it. At one point at Pikes he left the booth to party in the crowd.
“By the time he got to Ibiza Rocks, there were a number of hen parties who were worse for wear. They were over the moon by his appearance.”
Robbie’s last venture into dance music was his 2006 album Rudebox. I’m pleased to see his return to the dance floor was far better received.
FESTIVAL HIT BY JACK SNUB
I REALLY feel for the organisers of Reading and Leeds Festival.
They have worked hard all year to pull off one of the biggest events this summer, only for arrogant celebs to drop out days before taking to the stage.
Jack Harlow and Maneskin have both axed plans to perform at next weekend’s festivities, in favour of appearing at the MTV Video Music Awards in New Jersey.
Bosses have now been left scrambling to find some late replacements.
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In a statement, organisers said: “We are saddened to hear that Jack Harlow and Maneskin have decided to perform at an award show the same weekend they were confirmed to play Reading and Leeds.
"We are working on some exciting replacements.”