Gwen Stefani: No Beef With Madonna

Gwen Stefani tells the new issue of Elle magazine that there is no bad blood between her and the Material Girl. “Madonna’s had us over to dinner and stuff, and she’s always been very nice to me,” the No Doubt singer explained. Gwen counts Madge as a role model, adding, “A lot of my influence came from her early work, like directly, like a Xerox.” Read more.

Angelina’s Sweet & Sour Opinions On Madonna’s Adoption

January 7, 2007 - Angelina Jolie criticized Madonna for taking 14-month-old David Banda out of Malawi “illegally” in an interview with the French magazine Gala. “Madonna knew the situation in Malawi, where he was born,” she said. “It is a country where there is no real legal framework for adoption. Personally, I prefer to stay on the right side of the law. I would never take a child away from a place where adoption is illegal.” Still, the actress voiced sympathy for the attacks on Madonna since the adoption. “I have been horrified by the attacks she has been subjected to,” Jolie said. “All that should count is the happiness of her little David.” The full story at sundaymirror.co.uk has since been removed.

Oprah Backs Madonna’s Adoption

January 4, 2007 - Oprah Winfrey is voicing her approval of Madonna’s recent move to adopt David Banda of Malawi. “I applaud Madonna,” the talk-show queen gushed to ‘BBC Newsnight’ on Wednesday (January 3). “I think it is an amazing decision… Madonna and her husband and children had to make a decision that we are going to bring a child from a different culture, and not just a different culture from our family, he even looks different from our family. He’s not even the same color… It makes me sick that people criticize her, because there are millions of children in this world who will die because no one came to save them.”

Malawian Father Wants To Hear From Madonna

January 3, 2007 - The Daily Times of Malawi reports Yohane Banda, father to David, a boy adopted by Madonna last September says he is dying to speak to his son’s new parents on how the boy is fairing in the United Kingdom. However, Banda says his efforts are hampered by lack of Madonna’s contact details. “I don’t have her phone numbers and mailing addresses,” Banda said. “I want to find out how my son is but I don’t know how I can do it. If there are people who can help me to get these details, please come forward. I would appreciate very much.” He added, “All I want is to find out how he is fairing and not that he should come back.”

The Good And Bad Of Being Madonna’s Brother

January 3, 2007 - The Miami Herald caught up with Christopher Ciccone and asked him about what’s best about being Madonna’s brother. “The best thing about being Madonna’s brother is that it gave me the access to being creative,” he responded. “I got to design all her houses. I got to work with her on a lot of projects. Like the Girlie Show tour, which I designed and directed. As far as I’m concerned, it was a peak for both of us creatively.” As for the worst thing about being the Material Girl’s brother, he responded, “She casts a very big shadow.” Asked if she’s aware of that fact, Ciccone responded, “It’s not really her problem, is it? We don’t really talk about it.”