Madonna's love letters went on sale in NY auction

Rock legend Jimi Hendrix’s first recording contract worth $1 and erotic audio and video tapes sent by Madonna to her old bodyguard went on sale in an online auction.

Other artists and prominent figures featured among the more than 450 items offered in the rock n roll and pop art auction include John Lennon, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones and Eminem. The auction will run through August 5.

Hendrix’s earliest known contract for $1 dated October 15, 1965, could fetch up to $250,000. It was signed by Hendrix and music producers PPX Enterprises of New York for Hendrix to play and sing exclusively for three years.

The contract - on which Hendrix’s first name is spelled "Jimmy" - also granted him 1 percent of the retail sales from his recordings.

Two cassette tapes holding 17 minutes of messages that Madonna left in 1992 and 1993 on the answering machine of James Albright, the bodyguard who became her lover, are expected to fetch between $30,000 and $40,000.

An intimate home video sent to Albright featuring Madonna in a hotel room with castmates shot during the making of the 1993 film "Dangerous Game" has an estimate draw of $12,000 to $14,000.

Also up for sale are copies of love letters faxed to Albright by Madonna between 1992 and 1994 using the code name "Lola Montez."

Another top lot is a life-size prop of Schwarzenegger’s T-800 terminator used in various action sequences in the film "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" that has an estimated selling price of $150,000 to $200,000.

Also on sale are Dylan’s original 1962 working lyrics for his song "A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall," jackets worn by Lennon and U.S. rapper Eminem’s outfit that parodied Michael Jackson in his "Just Lose It" music video are also on sale.

Chief executive of www.gottahaveit.com Peter Siegel, said he expected the auction to fetch high prices even in tough economic times.

"These items are not really economic-centric," he said. "Pop culture is international, there is still a lot of money out there and these items are relatively still a bargain compared to pieces of art from unknown artists who may become famous."

Some of the items can be viewed in person at the Gotta Have It store in New York. The bidding will be open until August 5.

Madonna may perform on X Factor

Pop diva Madonna may perform on this year’s popular music talent show “X Factor”.

"This year is going to be bigger than ever - we are planning to get the best names in music," said a source.

Simon Cowell, the producer of the show, wants to get singer Robbie Williams. The star has spent years in the wilderness and Cowell wants the singer to make a comeback by performing on his show.

Others being lined up to perform on the talent show include "Outrageous chart" sensation Lady Ga Ga and "Umbrella" singer Rihanna.

The new season of the show returns August 22.

Madonna becomes World's Highest Earning Musician

Madonna has pipped Celine Dion and Beyonce Knowles to top the world’s highest earning musicians list.

According to Forbes magazine, the Queen of Pop earned a staggering 110 million dollars from June 2008 to June 2009 due to her Sticky & Sweet world tour.

Celine Dion bagged the second spot with 100 million dollars in the same time period followed by Beyonce, who raked in 87 million.

Wrapping up the top five were rocker Bruce Springsteen and country star Kenny Chesney, who grossed 70 million and 65 million dollars respectively.

The top 10 Highest Earning Musician list:
1. Madonna 110 million dollars
2. Celine Dion 100 million dollars
3. Beyonce Knowles 87 million dollars
4. Bruce Springsteen 70 million dollars
5. Kenny Chesney 65 million dollars
6. Coldplay 60 million dollars
6. Rascal Flatts 60 million dollars
6. AC DC 60 million dollars

9. The Eagles 55 million dollars
10. Toby Keith 52 million dollars

Madonna topped Hollywood's Hardest Working Mom list

With earnings of USD110 million in 2008, Madonna topped Forbes’ list of Hollywood’s hardest working mothers. Madonna is followed by actresses Reese Witherspoon and Gwyneth Paltrow.

The pop singer and mother of three, who was recently turned down in her bid to adopt a second child from Malawi, grossed USD105 million on her tour and sold nearly a million albums in the United States.

Reese Witherspoon, who earned an estimated USD24 million last year, was second on the list, followed closely behind by Gwyneth Paltrow with USD20 million in earnings.

In addition to her film career and raising daughter Ava and son Deacon, Witherspoon, who is divorced from actor Ryan Phillippe, is also the international spokeswoman for the cosmetics company Avon.

Paltrow’s role in the blockbuster film "Iron Man," which earned USD580 million worldwide, and her endorsements for Estee Lauder and shoe and handbag maker Tod’s propelled her to the third spot.

The list is based on estimated earnings of Hollywood mothers with at least one child. Earnings include album sales, salaries, box-office grosses and endorsements and licensing deals.

Mother of three Julia Roberts, who returned to the big screen in a starring role in the film "Duplicity," captured the fourth spot on the list, while actress Sarah Jessica Parker, who has a son with husband Matthew Broderick, rounded out the top five.

Angelina Jolie, who has six children but still earned USD14 million last year, came in sixth, followed by model and television presenter Heidi Klum, who is pregnant with her fourth child.

Best actress Academy Award winner Kate Winslet, who has two children, and singer and mother of three Faith Hill also made the list. More can be found at http://www.forbes.com/

Sush is the Indian Madonna

There’s more than adopted children that Madonna and Sushmita Sen have in common. The Material Girl and our Miss Universe are both deeply into Kabbalah. For the uninitiated, Kabbalah is a discipline and school of thought that explores the mystical aspect of Judaism. Madonna, of course, has been a Kabbalah believer from ever since, but Sushmita has got into it recently.

“I was chasing a particular number, 47, which I thought was very auspicious and this led me to the study of Kabbalah,” explained Ms Sen. “So I went to the Kabbalah Centre in New York and picked up every single possible literature they had on the subject. Today I feel like I know it a bit.”

That was two-and-half years ago. Since then, the actress says Kabbalah has brought about fabulous changes in her life. “We are talking about anti-ageing and stuff. All of this is to age gracefully, not to fight it, not restrict yourself to other peoples’ definition of ageing or of growing old. Through Kabbalah, I found ways to stay young and yet, gracefully accept that every single line on your face is something you’ve earned. So as long as you enjoy and cherish them, you’re going to age gracefully and like who you are,” she said earnestly
On the work front, the actress is currently involved with Dulha Mil Gaya and the yet to be released Karma Confessions And Holi. “There’s also David Dhawan’s film, the working title of which is Do Not Disturb, in which I’m with Govinda,” she said.

Most importantly, there’s Jhansi Ki Rani Lakshmibai which Sushmita is producing, directing and acting in. Talking about this whole experience, she said, “It’s a tough call, because of the sheer size of the canvas of the film that I want to make. I’d much rather be doing three years of pre-production than three years of post-production. I have a very emotional tie with the film. Tons of work has gone into the scripting, presentation, etc. I want it to be a 2010 release and if everything goes well, Insha Allah it should be so,” she added.

Blueberry Cheesecake Is Better Than Sex, reveals Madonna

A 70-year-old lady, dressed in a purple sari, shuffles up to the bodyguard, and smiles good naturedly. "May I get an autograph for my grandson? He's a huge fan..."

Before she can finish, the guard dismisses her with a wave of the hand. After further entreaties, he finally deigns to conversation.

"Madonna will not sign autographs today. Please respect her wishes," he says curtly, in a European accent.

And there she is -- Madonna. I've had a hell of time finding her, vaguely circling the hotel in which she's staying -- Taj Hotel in Colaba, South Mumbai -- in the hope of catching a glimpse, eavesdropping on fellow reporters and trying to pick up a lead. But now she's larger than life, within an arm's reach.

It's 2:30 pm, and we are at Moshe's, a restaurant in Cuffe Parade, South Mumbai. Madonna is at the table next to mine, sitting at the head. She wears all-black: a light top, trousers and black leather boots. A simple red shawl drapes elegantly over her shoulders and runs down her back. The rest of her party -- husband Guy Ritchie, Shantaram author Gregory David Roberts and other companions -- squeeze into a wrap-around booth opposite to her.

Throughout the one and a half hour lunch, they discuss a wide range of topics: metaphysics, Mumbai's slums, the meaning of life and more. Surprisingly, Madonna takes a backseat for much of the conversation, while Roberts and Ritchie engage in philosophical debate.

"The key to life, the key that drives our actions is a simple desire," says Ritchie. "We all desire to improve our current situation, to feel better than we do right now."

Roberts disagrees, and then launches into an explanation of chimpanzee behavioural traits, and how humans exhibit the same.

The white wine flows freely, though Madonna does not partake. Instead, she opts for two cups of chai. It appears the artist responsible for hits Like a Virgin and Take a Bow cannot get enough of India's national beverage!

Throughout the lunch, she is playful and jovial. She reaches for, tastes and describes the various dishes, complimenting the chef, who stands nearby, with decided gusto. Ritchie joins her, saying, "There is nothing else you can bring us or do for us. It was perfection!"

"I made them a little bit of everything, a sample of the entire menu. There were salads, breads, cous cous and non-vegetarian food," the chef tells me later.

The customers who walk past, invariably, do a double-take, whirling around to their loved ones and raising eyebrows. Outside, a media circus unfolds, as dozens of cops push back hundreds of bystanders and cameramen. Children from the nearby Cuffe Parade fishing village stand on tip-toes at the gate, hoping to steal a glance.

But Madonna, tucked inside at a private booth, is completely engrossed in the meal and accompanying conversation. She laughs freely, and swings her legs back and forth like a schoolgirl. An impish grin frequently flashes across her face, particularly when she sizes up dessert.

Six creations artfully adorn the table, including carrot cake, blueberry cheesecake and chocolate mousse.

Madonna uses her spoon to slice off a generous portion of the blueberry cheesecake. She slowly moves the utensil to her lips and slides the morsel inside. "Mmm, God! It's better than sex. Seriously, try this!" She says between moans, repeating the claim more than once.

Somehow, the Material Girl has made even lunch at Moshe's a sensuous affair.