Madonna

Writer - Annemarie Failla

Madonna, who is often described as an 'envelope-pushing' entertainer, and who undisputedly remains a pop icon, is back on the airwaves with her latest smash single "What It Feels Like For A Girl".

Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone as she was born on August 16, 1958, is definitely no stranger to controversy. Labeled the 'material girl', the 'pop culture chameleon' and the 'ultimate icon' throughout her career, she has led a very colourful life to say the least and has achieved an amazing amount of success in her lifetime. Madonna is the highest-selling female artist in history and in 1983, she was quoted as saying 'I want to conquer the world. I want to sing, dance, act and have it all'. Looking back on a career that has spanned over two decades, she certainly achieved that goal as today she is regarded as the cleverest woman in pop.

From her early beginnings as a performer trying to make it big in New York to her icon status today, Madonna has very much remained in control of her career through an intelligent manipulation of the media and the public with her music, publicity and her sexuality.

Her big break came when New York DJ Mark Kamins released one of her demo singles "Everybody" to clubs everywhere and was responsible for introducing her to Warner Brothers who then signed her. "Everybody" and "Burning Up" brought Madonna her first success in the dance charts. This success was matched with the release of "Holiday" which hit the top spot on the US dance charts before becoming a worldwide hit in 1983. What followed was a record amount of number one hits as did fame and controversy as Madonna sold everything she did with a brassy sex appeal.

Madonna has smashed sexual boundaries throughout her varied career and challenged social and religious moves, through her sassy approach to music and her confronting videos. During the early years of her career, Madonna noted that scandal sells and as the 80s ended, she toyed around with this idea, reinventing herself constantly.

Through the years Madonna has adopted many roles, ranging from the Marilyn Monroe inspired "Material Girl", to Hollywood retro, and now finally settling into her role as the new-age "Maternal Girl".

It is in the past four and a half years that Madonna has undergone her most dramatic image changes. The material girl has become the 'spiritual mum'. Apparently softened by motherhood, she gave birth to daughter Lourdes on October 14, 1996, followed by her son Rocco three years later and recently married British film director Guy Ritchie in a lavish ceremony in Scotland.

Madonna regards her children as being 'my greatest work of art'. Those who personally know Madonna say motherhood has altered the entertainer but not everyone is convinced that recent changes are anything but superficial. Cynics believe that it is just another ploy in an attempt to remain at the top for another twenty years.

While her priorities in life may have changed after the birth of Lourdes, motherhood certainly has not prevented Madonna from achieving her goals. In 1998, her "Ray of Light" album was enthusiastically received by the press and public and reached sales in the excess of 8 million copies worldwide. She has been involved in a number of projects, including the film 'The Spy Who Shagged Me'. "Beautiful Stranger" was written and recorded by Madonna for the soundtrack to the film and her current offering and perhaps her best album to date, "Music".

If it seems that Madonna has been gracing our screens more often in the last few years there is a reason for this. The acting aspect of her career has now assumed at least equal importance in her professional life, alongside singing. Her reputation as a serious actor was raised by her stunning portrayal of Eva Peron in the film 'Evita'. There is now continuing speculation that she is set to star in one of her hubby's upcoming flicks.

Madonna will undoubtedly continue to be the most famous and talked about woman of her generation, as she has a steely determination to succeed at any challenge, which presents itself. Power and influence are the name of the game and it is a game that Madonna has mastered. Whether it's music, acting or motherhood, Madonna has a knack for always surfacing a winner.

- Annemarie Failla