Madonna, Gucci and U.N. for Malawi

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ivansonI71
February 07, 2008

Pop star Madonna hosted a star studded event on Wednesday(February 6) on the lawns of the United Nations to aid Malawi orphans, the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) and -- controversially -- to celebrate a new Gucci store.
Madonna and 11-year-old daughter Lourdes Leon walked the red carpet
before heading inside the event.
Actors Gwyneth Paltrow, Drew Barrymore, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, and a
very pregnant Jennifer Lopez were among many stars that turned up for the
dinner that Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini said has already raised
$3.7 million (USD). "This evening, what I really want to do is put Raising Malawi on
the map," Madonna told Reuters. "I want credibility as a philanthropic organization. I want it inspire people. I don't want them to just write me a check, I want them to give me a piece of their heart."
Gucci, which is owned by French retailer PPR has paid for the entire
event and said all money raised will be split between Raising Malawi and
UNICEF.
But critics have questioned the use of the U.N. grounds to celebrate a new Gucci store and raised concerns about ties between Madonna's charity Raising Malawi and The Kabbalah Centre, a mystical form of Judaism practiced
by the pop star.
The accusations, made mainly by bloggers, appear to stem from the fact
that Raising Malawi's founder Michael Berg is also co-director of The Kabbalah
Centre.
"I don't really pay any attention to that. I am grateful that Gucci has underwritten this event that's all that matters to me their generosity. There's always controversy surrounding anything that involves change,"
Madonna told Reuters.
A huge tent was erected on the lawns of the United Nations for the event
and security was tight. Alicia Keys, Timbaland and Rihanna were due to
perform, while comedian Chris Rock was to auction off celebrity events, such
as aerobics with Madonna and baseball batting practice with Yankee Alex
Rodriguez.
The star power doesn't end there. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes made an
appearance and rapper turned entrepreneur Sean Combs took a break from getting ready for his fall 2008 fashion show to support Madonna. Combs says, that when Madonna throws an event, you don't pass it up.
Combs said "I'm a big fan of Gucci and what they represent."
Asked if he was nervous about his first show in five years at New York fashion
week, Diddy said, "Yeah, I don't know what designer isn't nervous about
their fashion show?"
Madonna's interest in helping Malawi orphans is personal -- she and her
husband, director Guy Ritchie, are raising a young Malawian boy they hope to adopt. But the adoption has hit several stumbling blocks since they took him from an orphanage in late 2006 when he was 13-months-old.
Rights groups have accused Madonna of using her fame and wealth to circumvent the country's adoption rules, although the singer has insisted she is following the law. Malawi's High Court is to hold a hearing this year into whether Madonna and Ritchie are suitable parents and should adopt the child.

Category: Entertainment

Tags:

Madonna Gucci U.N. Rihanna Jennifer Lopez Lourdes Leon Drew Barrymore Sean Combs Timbaland Nelly Furtado

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mzemenge (5 months ago) Show Hide

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Thank you for your efforts in helping poor nations!

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5039452 (6 months ago) Show Hide

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That's a really cynical point of view. This event raised hundreds of millions of dollars for charity!

styblo200 (7 months ago) Show Hide

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Gucci is my favorite mark. Madonna is for me Queen :-D

BowMods (7 months ago) Show Hide

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oops, Lola's in trouble!

fraudspotter (8 months ago) Show Hide

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More plastic in her face than Fisher Price. She is the first pop singer who made it huge,SIMPLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT SHE COULD WHORE AROUND IN MUSIC VIDEOS!! If there were no music videos, SHE WOULD BE NOWHERE . Because before music videos you had to have musical talent of some type. SHE IS DOING THIS ADOPTION THING FOR PUBLICITY TO SELL MORE CDs. Like B Spears rigging this phony death threat thing to get sympathy coverage. Both belong together in the bent over position. re Gucci WHAT TRASH TALK

jbooks888 (7 months ago) Show Hide

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way to spot a fraud....

fishinrice222 (8 months ago) Show Hide

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cool

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Madonna, Gucci and U.N. for Malawi

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