Madonna is everywhere these days! Yesterday, she attended the grand
opening of the Hard Candy Fitness Center in Toronto and also taught her
signature Addicted to Sweat cardio-based dance class with the Hard Candy
Fitness Performance Team.
She arrived without her cane, but her foot is still healing.
Madonna fans can expect to hear some new
tunes in the future from the music icon with plans for a new album — but she's
keeping a tight lid on the details.
"Yes, plans are in the works already.
Don't ask me with who, it's a secret, top secret," Madonna said coyly in a
red carpet interview Tuesday night at Hard Candy Fitness club in Toronto. So are there any Canadian artists on Madonna's workout playlist? When asked, she responded: "Drake." And would she like to collaborate with the homegrown hip-hop star in the future? "If he'll have me," Madonna replied.
In the meantime, fitness was top of mind
for the pop superstar who paid a visit north of the border for the official
launch of her luxury fitness brand in Canada. The Hard Candy Fitness Toronto
club opened for business in October, joining international locations in Berlin,
Rome, Sydney, Santiago, Mexico City, Moscow and St. Petersburg.
In addition to the large-scale images of
the Material Girl emblazoned on the walls throughout the facility, Madonna also
has a hand in shaping the fitness routines with classes based on her daily
workouts. Madonna said dance has always been a big
part of her shows and she can't imagine not having movement, dance and fitness
being part of her work — a philosophy she's applied to her burgeoning fitness
brand.
"I have fun working out and I don't
think working out should be boring. And I think dance is an important part of a
workout," said Madonna, looking elegant in a sleek black blazer and skirt
designed by famed Canadian duo DSquared2, accessorized with black and gold
gloves. "I used to run when I stopped dancing.
I used to run and I thought it was so boring. So dance is fun because you can
play music, you can move your body in every direction."
A select few got to see Madonna in action
as she led the cardio-based Addicted to Sweat class, which combines elements of
high-impact aerobics with choreography. The session was closed to the media,
but among the participants were 30 people who earned the chance to dance
alongside the pop diva following several auditions.
"Just to have a window into that
world, it's a once in a lifetime incredible opportunity. It's like being in a
dream," said class participant Blair Boudreau prior to taking part in the
session. Nicole Winhoffer, Madonna's personal
trainer, said the star averages between 1 1/2 and two hours for workouts six
days a week, a rigorous routine that involves fully body conditioning with
multiple repetitions, ab and arm work and use of jump rope or basketballs.
"She's actually really consistent,
really easy. She gives such good direction. There's no guessing. I know what
she's going to like, what she's not going to like. She gives us very clear
feedback and we move very fast. It's so amazing to work with her."
She's come a long way, baby
On Tuesday night, Madonna was greeted by
hundreds of screaming fans who braved the sub-zero weather on Yonge and Gerrard
Sts. to greet the Material Girl as she swept into the Toronto branch of her
international Hard Candy Fitness chain, to shake her butt for the press, lead
30 hand-picked gym members in a class and declare the facility officially open.
"But what am I doing here
anyway?" she asked the Star during an interview following her red carpet
walk. "Didn't they try to arrest me here?"
She was referring to the infamous moment on
her Blond Ambition tour, immortalized in the 1991 documentary Madonna: Truth or
Dare, when she's told the Toronto police are going to stop the show and take
her into custody if she simulates sex acts while singing "Like a Virgin."
But on those nights in May 1990, Madonna
Louise Veronica Ciccone called authority's bluff and her show went on without
any interruption.
"I'm not going to be masturbating
during my workout tonight," she grinned slyly, "or simulating
masturbation, so I guess it's cool. Yeah. "I think Toronto's finally
learned to accept me."
The 55-year-old superstar looked glam, if a
bit weary around the edges, in a slinky black blazer-skirt ensemble from the
Canadian design team of Dean and Dan Caten, known more prominently as
DSquared2.
A trademark black bustier kept her cleavage
front and centre while a reasonably discreet crucifix nestled underneath. Her
left ankle was taped due to an injury variously attributed to a mishap during
dance and/or exercise, although to Madonna they're often one and the same, with
her patented dance workout called "Addicted to Sweat."
"If dancing wasn't a part of Hard
Candy Fitness, I wouldn't be here," she said, speaking of the chain whose
Toronto opening joins the roster of locations in Berlin, Mexico City, Moscow,
Rome, Santiago, St. Petersburg and Sydney.
"That's what makes my gym different
from everybody else's."
"Well, I’m right now in the process of
talking to various co-writers and producers and talking about where I want to
go with my music."
The Queen of Pop herself talks about her
new album soon in the making in a seven-minute long interview with Sarah
Hampson from the Globe and Mail at the opening of the Hard Candy Fitness club
in Toronto.
When asked about how she choose the venture
to pay attention to:
"It depends on the day. I have to
divide myself into many categories. I’m working on my philanthropic charitable
ventures. I’m fighting for human rights. I’m fighting for using art for a
platform to bring people together. I’m working on my own art, whether that’s
music or filmmaking. I’m raising four children. I’m opening gyms around the
world to encourage people to get in shape and feel good about themselves;
bringing art through dance to gyms to make my gyms different from other
people’s."
And about her legacy as a feminist icon:
"I hope that I inspire women to
believe in themselves, no matter where they come from; no matter what education
they have; what particular background they originate from. I like to think I’m
a role model for women. But I also don’t like to just limit it to women. I like
to think I’m a role model for human beings in general."
Asked if it annoys her when people say
she’s too old at 55 to wear certain things and act young:
"You just have to keep doing what
you’re doing. I think not only do we have to live in a homophobic society, but
we have to live in an ageist society, too. Once you reach a certain age, you’re
not supposed to do certain things. I don’t really know where that came
from."
It seems that the diva will be reunited with one of her best collaborators ever - Mr Patrick Leonard!!!
Harder is Better! Post work out! Foot in
the Ice Bath. A girl has to make a living!
Me and Mr. Brainwash in Toronto signing his
mural at Hard Candy Fitness Opening!
And then there's this: a video to promote her
MDNA skin line, which was be unveiled in Japan today.
Michelle Peck, Skin Care Artist and
Madonna’s Skin Care Advisor and Brand Ambassador Introduces MDNA SKIN on
February 12th.
‘MDNA SKIN’ – the new innovative and
revolutionary skin care brand created by Madonna in collaboration with MTG,
Japan’s leading beauty company, is scheduled to open in Omotesando for a
limited time beginning Thursday, February 13th thru Sunday, February 23rd
between 11:00 and 20:00. This will be the exclusive location to buy ‘MDNA SKIN’
in the world. The brand’s goal is to challenge women and their awareness about
the art of beauty and skin care.
The state-of-the-art treatment system
consists of three components:
The clay oil therapy inspired CHROME CLAY
MASK, made with a base of clay from Montecatini Terme in Italy, which performs
multiple functions that enrich the skin.
The SKIN REJUVINATOR – the specialized
Magnetic Force and Deep Derma induction system devised to remove impurities and
revitalizes the skin.
THE SERUM – based on an original formula
that was created exclusively for Madonna, it creates a glowing effect when used
alone and is further enhanced when used with the CHROME CLAY MASK and SKIN
REJUVENATOR.
Using these products routinely as part of
daily skin care regime creates firm, resilient and radiant skin overflowing
with energy after every use.
The MDNA SKIN POP UP STORE will give
customers the opportunity to see, feel and experience the products and enjoy
the multiple screen projected visuals. The store will also host a VIP area and
the location for special events.
MDNA SKIN will be available at selected
department stores in Japan on February 26th.
More details http://www.mdnaskin.jp/
MDNA SKIN POP UP STORE
DATE: 2/13 – 2/23
OPEN TIME: 11:00 – 20:00
VENUE: BA-TSU ART GALLERY
5-11-5 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
5 minute walk from Omotesando Station, Exit
A1
Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Chiyoda Line,
Hanzomon
