Madonna graces the cover of the February issue of Elle magazine. There's a splendid interview along with some stunning photos by Gilles Bensimon. Be sure to keep an eye out at your local newsstand!

Regarding the much-ballyhooed rumors of a Madonna/Britney Spears duet, here's what Liz 'The Validator" Rosenberg has to say about all the speculation: "It's nowhere near being a reality. it's one of the many things Madonna is thinking about in the future."

Well, there you have it for now. As an FYI, though, one can tell just from reading the various interviews and articles of late from both Madonna and Britney, it's quite apparent that they do subscribe to a mutual admiration society.

ICON 36 is proceeding full steam ahead. As usual, We've got all the great inside scoop directly from Madonna and the Validator themselves, along with some incredibly awesome Jean-Baptiste Mondino shots to grace the cover and centerfold.

There's also a great behind-the-scenes feature article in the works covering both Madonna's Roseland and Brixton performances by the lovely and oh-so-talented Donna DeLory. Donna not only kept a personal diary of all of the backstage escapades, but she also anointed herself roving ICON reporter at large and captured some amazingly candid interviews with many of the dancers and behind-the-scenes characters who helped to make these shows such great successes.

Ever wish you were a fly on the wall at one of Madonna's gigs? Well, my friends, Donna's work promises to deliver the next best thing! Oh and dig this, We've also got the Validator turning the tables in this issue - instead of being the interrogatee she becomes the interrogator and provides a wonderfully revealing Q&A feature with Madonna's personal manager - the lovely and ever-so-capable Caresse Henry.

So, you see there really is a lot to look forward to in the new issue, and in the meantime we'll do our best to keep you up-to-date here, so be sure to check back often.

We can confirm at this time that Madonna is in fact planning to perform at the Grammy Awards on February 21st. Stay tuned for further details as they become finalized.

Madonna graces the cover of the January issue of InStyle magazine. Inside includes some beautiful photos by Regan Cameron and a great interview/article by Tim Allis.

Madonna garners four nominations at this year's Grammy Awards: Record of the Year; Best Female Pop Vocal Performance; Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Recording Package. The 43rd Annual Grammy Awards are set to telecast live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 21st to an estimated audience of nearly 2 billion in 180 countries around the world. Check out Grammy.com for further details.

A special commemorative edition of Life magazine looks at the 100 Greatest Americans chosen in a public vote for the Discovery Channel. Last night the first show aired on TV and Madonna polled at number 46 in the list.

Christopher Ciccone once called his sister Madonna Louise 'her own masterpiece'. That she is an intricately crafted figure of great rarity who may or may not be a feminist icon and may or may not be much of a singer. But one thing is for sure; she is a star of the highest order, one with savvy, style, many facets and legs. For more than 20 years she has had a phenomenial career, staying unerringly on the heat, while singing, dancing and voguing her way from disco diva to Marilyn Monroe marque to electronica queen.

Madonna can spot the next thing coming a mile off, she makes it her own, then delivers it with full frontal force. She long ago perfected the art of creating controversy (remember her Sex book!) which has been a powerful weapon for every celebrity since Cleopatra. She has done it her way, even down to creating her own record company and maintaining approval over every artist signed.
Madonna can be pondered and questioned, castigated and criticized, but she will continue to come out on top.