Madonna’s secret performance at Billboard Music Awards will see her sing with holograms
SHE’S the Queen of Reinvention – but this latest image overhaul is ambitious even by Madonna’s standards.
I’ve learned that the singing superstar is secretly planning a ground-breaking performance at this week’s Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.
She will surround herself with cutting-edge technology to raise the bar on what a stage show can look like, in a bid to set the showbiz world on fire ahead of her new album, Madame X.
Sources say Madonna has been working on an incredible combination of holographic images and green screen CGI for the stage show, alongside the usual array of props and dancers,
This will place her in a computer-generated virtual reality world — which organisers say has never been tried in a show? before — and will bring fans at the venue and at home into the middle of the performance.
The ambitious plans are part of her latest bid to modernise following the release of comeback single Medellin, a reggaeton-inspired collaboration with Colombian musician Maluma. He is also set to feature on the night.
Although the six-and-a-half minute showpiece is being kept heavily under wraps, one insider told me:
“It’s one of the most ambitious performances ever attempted on live TV, and obviously a lot could go wrong.
“It will require perfect timing and positioning to make sure that she interacts properly with the computer-generated visuals, otherwise it won’t work at all.
“She’s just got to Vegas and has rehearsals at the MGM Grand to make sure it’s sensational and makes the splash she’s hoping for.”
If she pulls it off, it will certainly be one in the eye for those who reckon the icon is past it — Madonna fans have slammed Radio 1 as ageist for failing to include her new ultra-contemporary track Medellin on its playlist.
But this latest stunt shows she has no intention of fading into the background.
The source added: “She wants to make sure her performance is the big talking point of the night and nothing short of brilliant.”
After she went tumbling down the stairs during her performance at the Brits in 2015, you could easily forgive Madonna for wanting to wind things down a bit by going for something simple and straightforward to avoid any chance of a mishap. Then again, there’s more chance of finding Lord Lucan.
WIN MARIAH TICKETS
I AM giving away tickets to a superstar’s UK show EVERY DAY until Friday to mark National Concert Week after linking up with Live Nation.
Today it is a pair for Mariah Carey at the Royal Albert Hall in London on May 27. For a chance to win, all you have to do is send an email with “Mariah Carey tickets” in the subject line to bizarre@the-sun.co.uk before 11.59pm on Sunday, May 5. Good luck.
T&Cs: Promotion closes May 5, 2019 23:59pm. UK and Ireland residents, 18+ only, except staff of the Promoter and associated persons. One entry per person. Winners selected at random from all correct entries.
Full T&Cs apply – see thesun.co.uk/mariahtickets.
Kim’s well oiled baby do
THERE are many ways to deal with the stresses of awaiting the arrival of a baby, but Kim Kardashian’s latest hare-brained method takes the biscuit.
She held a CBD (aka cannabis oil) baby shower at the weekend as she prepares to welcome her fourth child – her second through a surrogate.
Kim posted on Instagram about the CBD and meditation-themed gathering held at her and husband Kanye West’s home in California’s Hidden Hills on Saturday.
Guests included model Chrissy Teigen, sister Kourtney and mum Kris and many could be seen making their own “CBD and chill bath soak”, “CBD body oils” and getting involved in sound baths, which is a relaxation method using a gong to soothe the mind.
The A-list line-up of guests suggested names for the unborn baby and were also given navy blue Yeezy sliders from Kanye’s range, worth £116 a pair.
Kim said: “I thought it was kind of ridiculous to have a fourth baby shower.
“But I thought I’m freaking the f*** out having a fourth kid. So everyone have a puff and put on some oil.”
She just doesn’t do normal.
bizbit
COUNTRY-POP duo Ward Thomas are supporting Jack Savoretti’s European tour from May 1. The One More Goodbye female duo will start in Amsterdam before moving on to Germany, Switzerland and Poland.
Katy looks grand in piano suit
KATY Perry is world famous, thanks to her natural talent – but her wacky costume choices have been instrumental too.
The American singer wore a piano-themed Latex catsuit and a treble clef hat as she wielded a pink guitar while headlining the second day of JazzFest in New Orleans.
Katy, who is engaged to Brit actor Orlando Bloom, changed into another skin-tight silver outfit and joked that any tummy bulges were down to her indulging in local food and were NOT a baby bump.
Ahead of Saturday’s gig, she wrote on Instagram: “If I move like molasses on stage today it’s ’cause I ate like it was a professional sport yesterday.”
Katy might have over-eaten, but her stomach still looks B-flat to me…
bizbit
GRIME rapper Skepta announced new album Ignorance Is Bliss will be out on May 31. It follows 2016 hit Konnichiwa, which won the Mercury Prize that year beating acts including David Bowie and Radiohead.
Moving on
IT’S been barely a week since Dani Dyer was seen snogging her new fella – but she’s not hanging about.
She spent the weekend at stockbroker Sammy Kimmence’s parents’ house in Essex, having a meal with them on Saturday and staying over.
The lovey-dovey date comes just a few weeks after she split from her fellow Love Island winner Jack Fincham.
A source close to Dani said: “He picked her up in his flash Mercedes and took her to his parents’. They spent most of Saturday there and she stayed the night.”
I give it even less time than the last one.
Instaglam
Spotify's most streamed singles last week
- Piece Of Your Heart – Meduza, 3.8m
- Bad Guy –Billie Eilish, 3.8m
- Old Town Road Remix – Lil Nas X, 3.5m
- Someone You Loved – Lewis Capaldi, 3.2m
- Don’t Call Me Up – Mabel, 2.4m
- SOS – Avicii, 2.3m
- Old Town Road – Lil Nas X, 2.2m
- Sucker – Jonas Brothers, 2.2m
- Just You And I – Tom Walker, 2.2m
- Talk – Khalid, 2.2m
- Here With Me – Marshmello, 2m
- Location – Dave & Burna Boy, 2m
- Giant – Calvin Harris & Rag’N’Bone Man, 1.9m
- Fashion Week – Steel Banglez, AJ Tracey & Mostack, 1.7m
- So Am I – Ava Max, 1.6m
- I’m So Tired… – Lauv, 1.6m
- Bury A Friend – Billie Eilish, 1.5m
- Wow – Post Malone, 1.5m
- Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored – Ariana Grande, 1.5m
- Keisha And Becky Remix – Russ Splash, 1.5m
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