Showbiz Observations

Madonna and her image are in the news again.  Even when she isn’t trying to get in the headlines she lands there anyway.  The latest news: a 30 year-old photograph of a nude Madonna is going to be auctioned by Christie’s Auction House.

The photographer of the image was Lee Friedlander.  The photo shoot happened when Madonna was 20 years old and trying to make a living as a dancer.  In 1979, Friedlander placed an ad seeking a model who was willing to pose nude.  Madonna answered the ad and the rest is history. 

In 1985, Playboy featured the photograph.  Now a lucky bidder has the chance to purchase the photograph.  Madonna was paid $25 to pose for the modeling session.  On Februrary 12, Christie’s is expecting the image to sell for at least $10,000.

Should this image be causing all this fuss?  A nude photograph of an artist who has pushed every limit and crossed every line that she can?  Maybe that is the novelty of this photograph.  Thirty years ago, she wasn’t the Music Icon Madonna:  saying and doing anything to shock the world and stir up controversy. 

Thirty years ago, she was a starving 20 year-old kid who was willing to pose nude for $25.     

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that the presenters at this year’s Academy Awards are going to be kept secret until they walk out onstage.  The Academy hopes this will draw more viewers curious to see who the presenters are. 

Is this a good idea?  I’m not sure this secrecy will draw the attention of many more people at home.  I watch the Oscars every year.  I don’t watch to see who hands out the awards; I watch to see who wins.  That is the TRUE excitement and mystery of the night.  Not to see which top secret star is going to hand out the awards. 

Who will win?  Who won’t will?  Will there be any surprises?  Will there be any upsets?  This is what makes people by the billions turn in each year.  And really, how much of a surprise can any of the presenters really be?  The best of Hollywood is going to be in the audience.  Those are the same people who will be handing out the awards.

The South Beach home of Versace is being opened to the public for tours.  It will cost $65 to get a peak at the 26,000 square foot estate and visitors can also stay for a meal after they complete the tour. 

For those people wanting to experience more than a tour, there is also an option to stay overnight at the home.  This will set you back a little more than $65.  During the high tourist season, three of the rooms will rent go for $1,200 a night. The other 7 rooms go up in price.  The most expensive is the owner’s suite which goes for $10,000 a night. 

I would love to see the mansion.  I really enjoy touring museums and historical homes.  Next time I find myself in FL, I plan to take the tour.  And then hopefully the next time I am back, I can stay the night.  Right now, I’ll have to stick with the $65 tour.