06/11/2008
Christopher Ciccone writing Memoir: Life with My Sister Madonna
Christopher Ciccone reportedly has a memoir coming in July from Simon & Schuster.
The AP reports: "'Life With My Sister Madonna' will have a first printing of 350,000. Financial details were not disclosed. 'Ciccone's extraordinary memoir is based on his life and 47 years of growing up with and working with his sister — the most famous woman in the world,' the publisher said Wednesday in a statement...Ciccone will work with Wendy Leigh, who has written biographies of Liza Minnelli and Grace Kelly and a highly critical book about Arnold Schwarzenegger. Ciccone, 47, has worked often with his older sister, designing and directing her 'Girlie Show' tour in 1993 and serving as artistic director of her 1991 documentary, 'Madonna: Truth or Dare.' But according to Madonna's spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg, they are no longer close."
AFTER THE JUMP, a clip from back in 1984 featuring Christopher performing with Madonna on French TV...
Previously
An Unidentified Christopher Ciccone Spices Up Top Chef [tr]
Posted 6:23 PM EST by Andy in Books, Christopher Ciccone, Madonna, News | Permalink
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Posted by: Chas | Jun 11, 2008 6:26:28 PM
Sadly, it comes across as a desperate attempt to cash in. Just like the Paul Burrell book on Diana.
Strange that this kind of book only gets published when people are "no longer close" or when the famous one dies... because the famous one would never endorse it, of course :-)
Posted by: AnonBlond | Jun 11, 2008 6:42:57 PM
Seems to me he danced better than her but he should have worn a darker shirt, less evidence of pit stains. What a great retro video though.
Posted by: davefromtampa | Jun 11, 2008 6:54:59 PM
He got all Meatloaf-y. What's his story?
Posted by: Joe | Jun 11, 2008 7:02:29 PM
Bitter, party of one? Your 15 minutes is ready.
Posted by: Jeff NYC | Jun 11, 2008 7:10:24 PM
350,000 copies? Are they on drugs? Who gives a sh?t what this a$$hole thinks.
Posted by: patrick nyc | Jun 11, 2008 7:10:58 PM
So reading it.
Posted by: Rami | Jun 11, 2008 7:31:31 PM
Could be worth a couple of laughs.
Posted by: Frank L | Jun 11, 2008 7:36:18 PM
He was kind of hot in TRUTH OR DARE. That's why I was STUNNED to see what he looked like now when popped up on the "Restaurant Wars" episode of TOP CHEF 3 as a bitchy, bitter, full-figured queen.
Posted by: topsyturvy8 | Jun 11, 2008 7:38:18 PM
The fact that some of us are still supporting Madonna's career is beyond me. Can't remember the last time she did something for our Community.
Posted by: James | Jun 11, 2008 7:47:06 PM
I used to have the biggest crush on Christopher, everytime I would see him with Madonna I just thought he was the cutest...I'd still do him, I think he has a sexy speaking voice. He's already 47? geez how quickly time flies...he is so cute dancing background in 1984.
Posted by: john | Jun 11, 2008 7:52:54 PM
Revenge is sweet! Madonna needs to be knocked down more than a few pegs. I'm sure the falling out between them was Madonna's decision...
She has admitted in the past that she was only close to a few of her siblings and she has 6!
Posted by: Todd Glaysher | Jun 11, 2008 7:53:15 PM
Revenge is sweet! Madonna needs to be knocked down more than a few pegs. I'm sure the falling out between them was Madonna's decision...
She has admitted in the past that she was only close to a few of her siblings and she has 6!
Posted by: Todd Glaysher | Jun 11, 2008 7:55:16 PM
Boy, she was a pretty grim performer even then.
Posted by: Rob | Jun 11, 2008 7:56:00 PM
Seems distasteful.
Posted by: Hugo Bell | Jun 11, 2008 8:03:49 PM
I'm not sure why an artist has to do something to "support our community" for you to enjoy them as a performer.
Posted by: Nathan | Jun 11, 2008 8:09:21 PM
Who cares about the community? She's become a corporate hack and is not longer an artist of any note. In fact, she's a ghoul, drained of soul just as her arms have become drained of fat. LOL
Why gay men are still obsessed with her is beyond me. Seriously, grow a set and break away. Breathe free!
Posted by: Peter | Jun 11, 2008 8:22:10 PM
Totally agree with you about Madonna, but you lost me at "Who cares about the community?". Um...
Posted by: Chas | Jun 11, 2008 8:26:23 PM
A new low for gay brothers.
Get a life, Christopher, you've sucked off Madonna's success long enough.
Madonna still rules. And by the way, it's not all about the 'community.'
Posted by: bryanD | Jun 11, 2008 8:46:58 PM
He's a nasty pig, so this is no surprise.
Posted by: dodgy | Jun 11, 2008 9:08:30 PM
How old am I?
I remember when that song first came out, she was so different than anything else out there at the time.
Posted by: key | Jun 11, 2008 9:09:31 PM
James, i'm only to support artists that support "our" community???????????
are you sure about that?
You must be one of "those" gays that only buys gay, shops gay, goes to gay restaurants and blah blah blah...
Pathetic!
Posted by: Marc | Jun 11, 2008 9:17:09 PM
It would be nice for Madonna to come out and support Gay Marriage but you are right, she sold her soul to wherever religion she follows these days!
Who cares about the Community??? I DO ..
Posted by: Hector | Jun 11, 2008 9:24:41 PM
Pathetic is that we CREATED MADONNA and she is not doing ANYTHING to support US as a whole. You may be one of those Madonna freaks that would purchase a Madonna farting CD and think that SHE IS FABULOUS! (She is reinventing herself! She can make beautiful fart sounds! GET A GRIP PEOPLE - SHE CAN'T SING!
YOU ARE PATHETIC!
Posted by: James | Jun 11, 2008 9:30:20 PM
Remember when Madonna was fun and interesting? Even if her music was simple and her moves were more posturing...she represented something up to a point. Kids and marriage ruined her. Guy chasing off all her gays didn't help, nor has kabbalah. Sad. At least Cher and others have maintained their chutzpah.
Posted by: Ben | Jun 11, 2008 9:42:38 PM
Remember when Madonna would drive round New York in a limo, picking up hot Puerto Ricans and shagging them in the back ?
For that I respect her, everything else about her is banal and second hand.
Posted by: DODGY | Jun 11, 2008 11:49:46 PM
James - as Clint said to Spike - "Shut your mouth!" What has Madonna done? Wasn't it just about 2 weeks ago she was leading a fundraiser for Amfar in Canne? Umm, yes it was. She was at the front of the fight for gay rights and aids funding before it was "ok" to do so. Long live the Queen, faults and all.
Posted by: Mike | Jun 12, 2008 12:50:51 AM
I don't get the outrage at Madonna's alleged negligence of the gay community. It's not like her gay fans became obsessed over her loyalty. I, for one, turned into a fan because she was fabulous, sexual and outgoing. Sadly, that person has vanished and became a pretentious techno queen with delusions of faith. I mean, I'd rather listen to "True Blue" than most of the terrible singles she's churning out these days.
As for her brother, I have no idea what happened between them. So, to each his own.
Posted by: Darien Styles | Jun 12, 2008 5:11:20 AM
i'll wait for the Lourdes "mommy-dearest" tell-all book.
Posted by: A.J. | Jun 12, 2008 8:19:19 AM
Get a job. Get your own life.
Posted by: JJ | Jun 12, 2008 8:51:45 AM
Most famous woman in the world? There is a black woman in Chicago and a pant-suit wearin' Senator who'd beg to differ.....
Posted by: Chris | Jun 12, 2008 9:50:47 AM
Reasons I love Madonna:
1. I've loved her since I was 9 and first heard "Holiday." I like having a 25 year relationship with an artist. Very few artists have had that longevity in my music collection--R.E.M. comes the closest (and I was bored silly by their last one) at 21 years.
2. I like that she's stuck around for 25 years in an industry that favors a flash in the pan among its entertainers and pop stars. And I don't care what anyone says, if she was completely devoid of any talent/charisma/savvy, she would not have made it this far.
3. I have always liked her provocativeness. She's also had a great sense of specatcle and image (which as a theater person, I respect).
4. I think she's worked hard for what she's achieved. Compare to current pop tarts who achieved their success thanks to Mum and Pop putting them on the Mickey Mouse Club when they were fetuses.
5. She has a consistent track record of very good POP singles. 25 years worth of them. Well produced with strong pop hooks. How many other people can boast that (save for Elvis?)
6. Of all her albums, she has a couple of widely uneven ones (True Blue, I'm Breathless), some unfortunately misunderstood ones (Erotica, American Life, Bedtime Stories) and a bunch of really great ones (Like a Prayer, Confessions, Madonna, Hard Candy, Ray of Light, Like a Virgin). That's a fantastic body of work.
That said, she's a crap actress and her preachiness of late with Kabbalah, Malawi and her children's books are beyond annoying. Hard Candy seems to have restored a bit of her rough edges however.
And to qualify my statement: I am not a big gay diva apologist (in fact I can't stand 75% of them. Mariah? Please.). Also, the majority of the music I listen to is indie and far from Top 40. Is Madonna anywhere near the quality of someone like Radiohead or Bjork? No. But she's really good at pop music.
Posted by: Alex | Jun 12, 2008 9:57:31 AM
Oh James, you're so tightly wound.
No, I wouldn't buy a farting cd, and I don't use the word fabulous to describe anything ever.
I am a fan though, can't just stop being one becuase she hasn't "done anything (in your eyes) for the community lately. How lame is that statement of yours ????
What has she done for our community? Hmm, well I can remember that she has entertained our community for about 25 years now, same as most other artists do....ENTERTAIN.
Now we're going to piss about whether or not she can sing again, not taking the bait.
She entertains me and I"m a fan.
She doesn't entertain you, and you're not a fan.
LET THE WORLD TAKE NOTICE, AND BEWARE!
Posted by: Marc | Jun 12, 2008 9:59:05 AM
Well said, Alex!
Posted by: FizziekruntNT | Jun 12, 2008 10:04:32 AM
Let the world take notice and YES BE AWARE...SHE SUCKS!
Posted by: james | Jun 12, 2008 10:07:04 AM
that's drama
Posted by: Dan B | Jun 12, 2008 10:26:57 AM
Let them be aware or beware dumbass?
Posted by: marc | Jun 12, 2008 12:11:27 PM
HOLD THE FUCK ON!!!!! James, did you say "we CREATED Madonna"? WTF?????????? Way to take credit for shit you probably had nothing to do with. MADONNA created Madonna and YOU bought into it. Just because you spent your money on her doesn't mean you "made" her. And as far as assuming that ANY artist has some sort of contractual obligation to support a specific group, THAT again is the kind of militant mentality that creates division. Yeah, a lot of homos have spent their money on her and she has supported causes in the past that were specific to the gay community (and she continues to), but if I had to listen to a bunch of bitter fucking queens constantly bitching about how "you don't support us enough, blah, blah, blah" all the time, I think I would find other ways to contribute my time as well. Get over your over inflated sense of ego and go do something constructive on your own. CREATE something yourself and take credit for THAT.
peace
Posted by: JR | Jun 12, 2008 1:37:04 PM
Hell, I'll read it!! And y'all quit dogging on Chris. He's 47. Get over it. People age. I bet he's still packing some major meat! Italian boys are hung like donkeys.
Oh and love the old video. Nice pit sweat, Chris. WOOF!
Posted by: Tralfaz | Jun 12, 2008 1:37:32 PM
As much as I love her and have always loved her, I can't wait to read the book, cause I know she's probably a first-rate cunt who's got major ego problems, and would most likely throw her own children under a bus rather than lose an ounce of fame.
Yeah, she's gonna make Joan Crawford no doubt look like Mary Poppins, but I still love her. Most famous woman in the world? Probably the second, after the Queen, and since Diana is dead.
Her ability to make so many people love AND hate her is one of the many reasons I love her. Just to push people's buttons and piss people off is SO fucking great, and a better rush than any drug. She's laughing all the way to her Swiss bank accounts.
Posted by: Chad | Jun 12, 2008 2:11:14 PM
Tralfaz, I'll make sure to tell all the not so well-endowed Italian men I've met that they didn't get the memo (not that it makes them any less adorable.)
Posted by: Alex | Jun 12, 2008 2:28:58 PM
Madonna is who she is today because of the homos like us throwing in our 2 cents. Take all the dozens of comments in response to this blog story for instance. She's HUGE and has sustained such a long career because people like us still love to praise her or throw shit in her face. We love her. We hate her. While there's still both, there will always, ALWAYS be Madonna and that bitch ain't going away.
Posted by: iHeartMadonna | Jun 12, 2008 3:01:48 PM
Ouch! Who will really look like a fool?
C'mon Christopher. do you really think anyone cares? What does it really matter?
It should matter more to you to learn how to move on and heal the hole in your heart.
You will always be in her shadow. deal with it. It is the price you pay for being the sibling of a legend. She made the history books. not you. sorry charly but this book is for kids!
Posted by: russell | Jun 13, 2008 4:44:35 PM
I think that it is unfortunate that you would write Madonna off for not supporting "our community" when she, as of late, has clearly been championing some extreme globally important issues. We, as a minority, have a long way to go, but it's not like it's 1985 anymore... I am sure she is still very much in support of the LGBT community, but in my opinion, her concern has shifted to a more broad philosophical and global perspective. I think she is about the self-suffience of those of us who are lucky enough to have the resources TO suffice and our responsibility to our community of HUMANITY (Not just SEXUALITY), and those who might not be so lucky. Just a thought.
Posted by: gregsgotmoxy | Jun 14, 2008 7:30:43 PM
BTW, He's a douche for writing the book and I'm totally reading it anyway! lol
Posted by: gregsgotmoxy | Jun 14, 2008 7:34:29 PM