On July 5 2010, principal photography on W.E., Madonna’s directorial feature debut began in the UK.
Madonna had this to say about her decision to direct W.E.:
“I directed Filth & Wisdom to teach myself about filmmaking… and now, with this self-punishing process of being a producer and a writer and a director, I’m taking the next step.”
On April 28 2010, Madonna and Lourdes attended the 2nd Annual Bent on Learning Benefit in New York
The event held at The Puck Building was organized to raise funds to offer yoga in underprivileged inner city schools.
On March 31 2010, Madonna’s former manager, Caresse Henry, passed away at the age of 44. Her death was later ruled a suicide.
Caresse had initially worked as an assistant to Madonna’s former manager, Freddy DeMann, before becoming Madonna’s personal assistant. When Madonna parted ways with DeMann in 1997, Caresse took the reigns as Madonna’s manager and remained in the role until late 2004. Caresse had also managed the careers of Ricky Martin, Jessica Simpson, Paula Abdul and Joss Stone, among others.
Caresse was credited as an artistic manager and executive producer for the HBO special: Madonna: Drowned World Tour 2001.
Liz Rosenberg (Madonna’s publicist at the time) released a statement to the press explaining that Caresse died of a self-inflicted gunshot at her home in Irvine, California. She was survived by her two children, a sister, a brother and her parents.
On March 26, 2010, Madonna’s third live album, Sticky & Sweet Tour was released by Warner Bros. Records. Sticky & Sweet was released on DVD, Blu-ray and CD formats. The tour was filmed at the River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina during the 2008 leg of the tour.
The CD included the following live tracks:
1. Candy Shop Medley
2. Beat Goes On Medley – featuring Kanye West
3. Human Nature
4. Vogue 2008
5. She’s Not Me
6. Music 2008
7. Devil Wouldn’t Recognize You
8. Spanish Lesson
9. La Isla Bonita 2008
10. You Must Love Me
11. Get Stupid Medley
12. Like A Prayer 2008
13. Give It 2 Me
The DVD and Blu-ray included the following live performances:
1. The Sweet Machine
2. Candy Shop Medley
3. Beat Goes On Medley – featuring Kanye West
4. Human Nature
5. Vogue 2008
6. Die Another Day 2008
7. Into The Groove 2008
8. Heartbeat
9. Borderline
10. She’s Not Me
11. Music 2008
12. Rain / Here Comes The Rain Again
13. Devil Wouldn’t Recognize You
14. Spanish Lesson
15. Miles Away
16. La Isla Bonita Medley
17. Me Darava / Doli Doli
18. You Must Love Me
19. Don’t Cry For Me Argentina
20. Get Stupid Medley
21. 4 Minutes – featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland
22. Like A Prayer 2008
23. Ray Of Light
24. Like A Virgin 2008
25. Hung Up Medley
26. Give It 2 Me
On January 22 2010, Madonna participated in the Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief charity telethon. The telethon was the most widely distributed telethon in history. The event was broadcast from Los Angeles, New York and London. There were also live reports from Haiti.
Madonna endorsed the relief efforts of the charity organization Partners in Health, donating $250,000 toward their work with victims of the Haitian earthquake. Partners in Health works to bring modern medical care to the world’s poorest communities and it has had a presence in Haiti for 20 years.
“My prayers are with the people of Haiti,” she said in a statement on her web site. “I can’t imagine the terrible pain and suffering they are experiencing. Sadly the depths of the tragedy are just becoming known and the need for our support grows more urgent with every passing moment.
“I urge all of my friends and fans around the world to join me collectively to match my contribution or give in any way you can,” she continued. “We must act now.”
On March 8 2010, Madonna participated in a taping of The Marriage Ref, along with Ricky Gervais, Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David. The reality game show was hosted by comedian Tom Papa and produced by Seinfeld. During the show, the panel of celebrities decided the winners of real-life marital disputes.
On January 13 2010, a press release by powerHouse books announced the book Madonna: Sticky & Sweet, featuring photography by Guy Oseary:
Madonna’s legendary Sticky & Sweet Tour, the most successful tour by a solo artist in history, has been chronicled by her longtime manager Guy Oseary and the resulting book, Madonna: Sticky & Sweet is being published by powerHouse Books (February 2010). The glossy retrospective includes 500 extraordinary photographs taken on and off stage during the course of the 58 show tour which circled the globe in 2008 and was seen by over 2 1/2 million fans. Oseary’s discerning eye along with his unprecedented access to Madonna before, during and after each show gives the viewer a unique insight into the journey of a lifetime. The Sticky & Sweet photo book feature the four segments of the concert experience including the opening “Pimp” section, and Old School salute to early NYC dance roots, onto Romani music influences and escalating in a rave finale. Oseary previously released the critically acclaimed Madonna: Confessions photo book, also published by powerHouse Books which covered her previous tour. Guy Oseary is the CEO of Maverick and Madonna’s manager. He has worked closely with Madonna for almost two decades, and was the only individual permitted to take photographs both on and backstage on the landmark Sticky & Sweet Tour. Oseary’s first book, Madonna: Confessions, was published by powerHouse in 2008.
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