Tag Archives: Alek Keshishian
Today in Madonna History: May 17, 1991
On May 17 1991, Madonna: Truth Or Dare was released in 538 US movie theatres.
Madonna: Truth or Dare (renamed “In Bed with Madonna” outside of North America) chronicled the life of Madonna during her 1990 Blond Ambition World Tour. The film was well received by critics and was successful at the box office, at that point becoming the highest-grossing documentary of all time with a worldwide gross of $29,012,935.
Today in Madonna History: November 27, 1991

On November 27 1991, Madonna contributed a pre-taped monologue for the MTV 10th Anniversary – Money for Nothing special that aired on ABC-TV. Madonna’s segment was filmed by Alek Keshishian.
The following quote is how Madonna started her monologue:
I’m here because I wanted to talk to you about us.
And all that we’ve been through.
I wanted to talk about me and you.
I remember when we first met.
You didn’t know who you were yet.
I didn’t know who I was.
We grew up together.

Today in Madonna History: October 9, 1991
Today in Madonna History: September 23, 1992
On September 23 1992, Madonna was featured in a public service announcement titled The Diva for MTV’s Rock The Vote series.
The three-and-a-half-minute skit was directed by close friend Alek Keshishian (Truth Or Dare), who would later use a similar premise in his television ads for Madonna’s 1999 Max Factor campaign.
Today in Madonna History: May 29, 1995

On May 29 1995, Alek Keshishian filmed Madonna in a Japanese television commercial for Takara, a shochu or Japanese sake manufacturer. The sake, called Jun Legend, was made by blending two types of alcohol distilled from barley and corn and aging them in charred oak barrels for one to five years. Takara’s claim was that the sake tasted similar to whiskey.
Madonna wrote and sang the commercial’s jingle, which featured the lyrics: “How can I be pure, when all the strength I have is breaking me? How can I be sure, where is this road I’ve chosen taking me? I’m pure. Jun Legend.”

Today in Madonna History: May 19, 1995
On May 19 1995, the music video for Human Nature premiered on MTV.
Madonna had initially planned to have friend and collaborator Alek Keshishian direct the video for Human Nature. Keshishian had even been named as the director in ICON Magazine, but for unknown reasons this shoot was cancelled during pre-production. Madonna later called in another recurring collaborator – Jean-Baptiste Mondino – to direct the clip instead.
The video marked Madonna’s first collaboration with Jamie King, who can be spotted as a dancer in the video.



















