Madonna in ICU after bacterial infection

Published

2 years ago

June 29, 2023

editor

Madonna has postponed her world tour after being taken to a hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) with a serious bacterial infection.

According to her manager, the global popstar’s infection was “serious” and led to “a several day stay in the ICU”. He added a full recovery is expected.

In a statement, Guy Oseary said Madonna’s health is improving, but she is still under medical care.

Madonna, 64, was expected to launch her 84-date tour next month.

She is believed to be receiving treatment at a hospital in New York City, US media reports.

The pop icon aimed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of her breakout single, Holiday, by embarking on her first ever greatest hits tour.

Dubbed the Celebration Tour, this would be the singer’s return to arenas and stadiums after her experimental, theatre-based Madame X shows in 2019 and 2020.

Some of those performances were called off due to the star’s knee and hip injuries.

“Sorry I had to cancel tonight,” the star wrote on Instagram after cancelling a 2020 performance in Lisbon, “but I must listen to my body and rest!”

Madonna’s latest tour was due to start in Vancouver, Canada, on 15 July and end on 30 January in Mexico City.

But the singer-songwriter’s manager said Madonna developed a “serious bacterial infection” on Saturday 24 June and all commitments would need to be paused as a result.

She was due to begin the UK and Europe portion of her tour on 14 October, scheduled to begin and end at London’s O2 Arena.

In announcing the tour back in January, she told fans: “I am excited to explore as many songs as possible in hopes to give my fans the show they have been waiting for.”

Madonna’s greatest hits span several decades – including Into The Groove (1985), Like A Prayer (1989), to Vogue (1990) and Hung Up (2005) to name a few.

It is likely that Madonna – who is intensely private about health matters – was in the final stages of a rehearsal regime in preparation for the tour.

In 2009, she was awarded a Guinness World Record for the highest-grossing music tour by a female artist after completing her Sticky & Sweet Tour.

American magazine Forbes lists her as the 45th richest self-made woman in the US with an estimated wealth of $580m (£460m) and says she has earned an estimated $1.2bn from tours.

She has six children. Last week, she posted to her 18.9m Instagram followers to congratulate her twin 10-year-old daughters for completing elementary school.

Madonna Louise Ciccone grew up in the city of Detroit, Michigan. In 1978, she moved to New York to pursue a career in dance and music.

Earlier this year, her older brother Anthony Ciccone died aged 66 after struggling with alcoholism and homelessness.

(BBC News)

Sri Lanka’s first Hollywood starlet bids adieu

Published

20 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Maureen Nelia Ballardney Hingert, Sri Lanka’s first beauty queen to act in Hollywood, has passed away at the age of 88.

The news was announced by former Miss Sri Lanka and actress Angela Seneviratne via Facebook.

Maureen made history by winning the Miss Ceylon title in 1955 and went on to represent the country at the Miss Universe pageant, where she was crowned second runner-up – a milestone achievement at the time.

Following her success, she entered the film industry and starred in several Hollywood productions. In 1958, she appeared in the film Gun Fever, and a photograph from the movie shoot was later published in Playboy magazine in September 1957 – making her the first and only Sri Lankan woman to be featured in the magazine.

She signed with major studios like 20th Century Fox and Universal International Studios, and her filmography includes titles such as The King and I, Fort Bowie, The Rawhide Trail, Gunman from Laredo, Pillars of the Sky, and The Adventures of Hiram Holiday, among others.

During her peak, she was regarded as one of the most beautiful actresses in Hollywood.

Maureen married Marion Zamperelli in 1958, later separating in 1970, and married William J. Ballard in 1976.

She had two children, and after the tragic passing of her daughter due to cancer, Maureen chose to live a private life away from the public eye in Los Angeles, where she remained until her death.

Ceylon’s beautiful Queen Maureen Hingert (Maureen Neliya Ballardnée Hingert (born 9 January 1937) ,mother of @Gina…
Posted by Angela Seneviratne on Monday, June 30, 2025

Entertainment

Bollywood icon SRK to visit SL?

Published

20 hours ago

July 1, 2025

editor

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is likely to attend the grand opening of City of Dreams Sri Lanka on August 02, 2025.

A post on the official Facebook page of City of Dreams Sri Lanka has hinted at his presence, with a silhouette featuring his signature pose, although no official confirmation has been issued yet.

Sources close to the organisers say the actor is expected to be the star attraction at the launch of South Asia’s first fully integrated luxury resort, developed by John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) in partnership with Melco Resorts & Entertainment (MRE).

The USD 1.2 billion City of Dreams development includes a world-class casino, the ultra-luxurious Nüwa hotel, and a high-end shopping mall, making it the largest private sector investment to date in Sri Lanka’s luxury lifestyle sector.

The launch is expected to be a landmark moment in positioning Colombo as a global tourist and entertainment hub.

The event is likely to attract international celebrities, investors, and global media, marking a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s post-crisis revival of its tourism and leisure industry.

A special someone is on the way. This one’s going to be iconic. 👑 #GuessWho #COD #CinnamonLife
Posted by City of Dreams Sri Lanka on Thursday, June 26, 2025

Entertainment

Beyoncé pauses show as flying Cadillac tilts mid-air

Published

2 days ago

June 30, 2025

editor

Beyoncé was forced to stop her show in Houston on Saturday night when the car she was sitting in started to tilt mid-air.

The elaborate stage prop – a red Cadillac – is suspended on cables and carries the superstar high over her fans near the end of her Cowboy Carter stadium show.

But during Saturday’s performance, the car started to slowly tilt to one side, leaving the 43-year-old performer clinging to a flag pole for support.

“Stop! Stop, stop, stop stop,” Beyoncé said, bringing an abrupt end to her country ballad, 16 Carriages.

Gasps could be heard from the audience when fans realised what was happening, but then applause as the star was slowly lowered to the ground, smiling and waving to the crowd.

“If ever I fall, I know y’all will catch me,” she said later.

Fans took to social media to post their videos of the frightening moment, commenting with Beyoncé’s now-infamous catchphrase “somebody’s getting fired”, which she quipped on stage during a lighting problem in 2010.

Beyoncé’s company, Parkwood Entertainment, said a “technical mishap” had caused the car to tilt.

“She was quickly lowered and no one was injured. The show continued without incident,” the statement added.

This was not the first prop malfunction Beyoncé has experienced over her years of touring.

Earlier in this tour, a robot supposed to pour her a drink missed its mark, no doubt leaving a puddle of Sir Davis whisky for the crew to clean up. And during her On The Run II tour with husband Jay-Z in 2018, a moving platform broke, forcing Beyoncé to climb down a ladder – in heels and a sequined leotard, no less.ame

The performance in her hometown of Houston, Texas, was the 23rd of her 32-show Cowboy Carter tour, which wraps up in Las Vegas next month.

The three-hour extravaganza of chaps and cowboy boots has been lauded for its high-energy and artistry, and has delighted fans with appearances by Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s daughters, Blue, 13, and Rumi, aged eight.

The show has broken ticket records at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London (the previous record holder was… Beyoncé) and Stade De France in Paris.

(BBC News)