Melissa Totten, sosie de Madonna: "Il n'y a personne comme Madonna".

Madonna: Uncensored and unreal
Lucky star talks impersonating gay icon and Lansing Pride performance
By Andrea Poteet
Originally printed 6/9/2011 (Issue 1923 - Between The Lines News)

"There's nobody like Madonna," Melissa Totten says. "I may be able to capture a moment, but no one can touch her."
Totten does not look like Madonna. She used to, she says, but not anymore. But despite her professed lack of likeness to the pop queen, the Virginia native has been striking a pose in Madge's image all over the world for nearly 20 years.
"I think I used to, quite naturally," she says of the resemblance, punched up for shows with makeup, costumes and a painted-on gap in her teeth. "But we have both changed."
As a marketing student in Chicago in the early '90s, Totten was one class shy of graduating from Columbia College, when one of her professors suggested an unorthodox project to help complete her degree - marketing herself as a Madonna impersonator. When she saw a news clip about a celebrity impersonator show that was in town, she called for an audition and found out it was taking place in her apartment building.
"I hopped on the elevator with some Russian Red on my lips, went to the top floor, and faked it," Totten says. "Sometimes you just have to follow the signs."
The impromptu audition landed her a six-month spot performing as Madonna on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship and launched her career, which has included stints in the Las Vegas production "Legends in Concert" and Germany's "Stars in Concert."
"Being in huge shows is great, but that is generally Elvis territory when I'm in a show with a variety of acts," Totten says. "He's like the meat on the sandwich, and I'm sort of like the lettuce. Or a pickle. I work hard there, and painstakingly design my costumes to a tee, but it was more or less just the handful of gay boys who would notice."
Now, she performs in mostly gay venues, promoting her two CDs, 2008's dance-heavy "Forever Madonna" and her latest, "Madonnalicious," chronicling some of the star's biggest hits and hidden gems.
"The response has been really incredible," she says of the gay clubs. "At first it was daunting, because gay folks are fiercely protective of their icons. But I think in the end, Madonna isn't gonna walk in and perform for you up close and personal, so people just take it for a bit of fun and entertainment when I walk into a club and perform."
Totten is particularly excited to perform in Madonna's home state, when she returns at 6 p.m. June 11 to perform at Michigan Pride (other performers include Dawn Robinson of En Vogue and native Detroiter Sista Otis). She last visited the area years ago as part of Detroit Madonnafest but hopes this performance goes better.
"A producer slapped an absolutely ghastly wig on my head, and I was pretty crappy. No, I was absolutely horrible. It was a joke," Totten says. "Hopefully there is no expiration date on redemption. Performing at Pride events can be the most energizing experience, even with jet lag. I hope everybody is up for it. I know I will be."
Totten never dreamed her life would include a uniform of cone bras and baggy suit pants; she just aimed to have an interesting life. So far, that's included more than a few cases of mistaken identity, like during a late '90s layover in Tahiti when a photo shoot on a beach led to a press battle to get photos of "Madonna" before she left the island. Unaware of the media maelstrom, Totten headed to the airport the next morning to continue onto the French island of New Caledonia.
"All I know is that when I arrived at the airport at around 6 a.m. the following morning it was an absolute mob scene," Totten says. "I asked the driver what was going on, and he said that they were all there for me. People from every direction were putting flower leis on me until I had no neck left. I was swatting bees away from my head. And camera flashes. When I showed my passport to security, he just laughed and shook his head."
On that same flight, Totten's resemblance to the superstar earned her upgrades from economy class to business class, and eventually to first class, before she was offered the ultimate plane seat.
"And then, ladies and gentlemen, they let me sit in the cockpit as we landed," she says. "They let me take pictures, and kept looking back at me, smiling and gesturing."
For her stage shows, Totten, who moved to England in 2008, said she doesn't keep up with every fashion move the icon makes, but tries to incorporate some of her favorite styles. Her current tour borrows some looks from Madonna's "Confessions Tour."
"Most Madonna drag queens get every single look together as it comes out to keep current," she says. "I don't keep a huge closet full of gear anymore, and I don't keep up with every look. I wait until something sticks. I live in England. Walk-in closets are just a blur of my American past."
Next, she hopes to condense a Las Vegas-style production into theater-style venues and record some more Madonna remixes with American and European DJs. A month-long tour based on Madonna's "Confessions" and "Sticky and Sweet" tours is also planned for Spain and Portugal in August. Her Lansing date is one of her few U.S. stops these days.
She said she doesn't want to tour as Madonna forever, but plans to keep up with her career until she wears out her welcome.
"After 20 years of doing this for a living, I can definitely imagine doing something else," Totten says. "I didn't think I'd be at this for very long, but the phone keeps ringing. I'll know when it's time."

'Madonna'
6 p.m. June 11
Michigan Pride
Burchard Park in Old Town
http://www.michiganpride.org

Source: PrideSource.

Melissa Totten
 

Blonde ambition: Katie Waissel avec le look de 'Papa don't preach' de Madonna.

Blonde ambition: Katie Waissel gets the chop to impersonate Madonna with 80s hairdo
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 11:34 AM on 5th May 2011

Katie Waissel is renowned for changing her look but her latest Madonna-inspired revamp left her barely recognisable.
The X Factor star looked like she’d stepped out of a time machine that had taken her back to 1986, when Madonna released her third album True Blue.
Before unveiling her new hairstyle yesterday, Waissel wrote on her Twitter page: ‘Just looking at pics of Madonna from the 80s and she really truly is beyond AMAZING!!!!’
She then headed to Hob hairdresers in Camden to get the chop and tweeted: ‘Can’t wait to sort out me barnet @hobsalons I’m on the way!!
‘The extensions have gone let’s get out the colour box and scissors bebe.’
Katie showed off her new hairstyle while wearing an off-the-shoulder grey jumper, baggy jeans, red heels and retro shades.
But despite the 24-year-old impersonating one of the most successful recording artists of all time, unfortunately her music career hasn’t quite followed the same path.

Source: Mail Online.
 

Katie Waissel and Madonna


Blonde ambition: Katie was inspired by Madonna in 1986, when she sported this crop alongside her ex Sean Penn at an Amnesty International concert in LA.


Before the chop: Katie was wearing longer hair extensions last month before she had her Madonna-do created.
 

La Société de St. Anne refait Madonna lors de la parade de Mardi Gras.

"St. Madonna’s Academy of the Accidental Conception"

Published: Tuesday, March 08, 2011, 12:02 PM
Updated: Tuesday, March 08, 2011, 12:03 PM
By Allen Powell II, The Times Picayune

As the Society of St. Anne paraded through the Bywater/ Marigny neighborhood Mardi Gras morning the streets were full of the typical assortment of costumed revelers, with disguises ranging from staid to potentially blasphemous.
One of the more risqué groups, at least among those fully clothed fancied themselves the unofficial marching band of the group.
Clad in dark blue band uniforms, sequined majorette costumes and traditional cheerleading outfits, the group marching down Royal Street looked the part of a typical marching band, until they revealed their school banner: “St. Madonna’s Academy of the Accidental Conception.”
And the school’s motto?
“Pull out and pray,” said Michael Tupper, one of the group’s organizers.
Tupper said the group of about 90 friends spent $3,500 buying the costumes online so they could honor the group’s patron saint, whose smash hit “Like a Virgin” played in the background.
He said several of the group’s members have birthdays on or near Mardi Gras and they thought dressing up as a high school band and marching with St. Anne would be a great way to celebrate.
“We just bought these costumes online and thought it would be a great idea,” he said.
A few doors down, George Cholewczynski and friends continued their 15-year tradition of enjoying mimosas along the St. Anne route, even as they bemoaned the fact that the krewe wouldn’t be parading down Royal Street this year.
Cholewczynski said the group didn’t even consider moving their celebration simply because the krewe had a falling out with some nearby bar owners.
“We decided that our tradition is more important than whatever tiff they’re having,” said Cholewczynski, who was clad in a robe of fruit and sported the name “Be Fruitful and Multiply.”
“This is our neighborhood, these are our friends.”
Eric Pounds, the manager of Mardi Gras Zone on Royal, said the business will do 10 times its normal traffic today thanks to folks coming in for last minute costume materials, or victuals to keep them going during their celebration.
Prior to Hurricane Katrina, the store was one of the main costume retailers in the city, but after the storm they moved to more traditional supermarket fare and cooked food. Pounds said despite roughly 10 years of watching Mardi Gras at the store, the costumes never get old.
“The majority of them come in zany as ever,” he said.
Source: NOLA.

Members of the Society of St. Anne marches through the Bywater and Marigny Tuesday morning on their way to Canal Street to view the Rex parade. March 8, 2011.
Photo: Allen Powell II, The Times-Picayune.


 

'Simply Madonna' à Hamptons le 19 mars 2011.

Music and Dinner EVENTS AT THE BLUE PELICAN CAFE
Hamptons is widely acknowledged as having one of the best daytime cafés in the Vale. What has become something of a best kept secret however is our regular music and dinner evenings.
Each event has a particular musical theme from jazz, Motown and musicals to opera and Swing. Our five course dinner is presented as a set menu as platters for sharing – equally good whether it’s just two of you or for a night out with friends where great food and good company are the essential ingredients. We present a different menu each evening and these are usually available the month before. Please call or e-mail if you would like to know the menu for a particular event.
Please call 029 2070 5391 to book. Early booking is advisable as tickets for each event are limited. If your chosen event is sold out please still call us to enquire about cancellations.

Simply Madonna
Saturday 19 th March
Tickets £33.00
Be prepared to relive the live concert experience of one of the world's most enigmatic stage performers. Simply Madonna captures all the energy, excitement and controversy of this lady of legend and gives it back to us with attitude, audience participation and sex appeal. The show features numerous costume changes, faithfully copied from the originals to show the style of Madonna from the 80's to the current day.

Contacting Hamptons
If you are ready to immerse yourself in retail heaven or simply relax in our sublime café-bar then you will find us at …..
10 Ludlow Lane, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan. CF64 1EA
029 2070 5391

Source: Hamptons Design.

Julia Martin

Lady Gaga ressemble à Madonna aux Grammys et remercie Whitney Houston!

Lady Gaga looks like Madonna at Grammys; Sculpted bustier, high blond ponytail like 1990 Madonna
By Lindsay Goldwert
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Monday, February 14th 2011, 11:53 AM

Lady Gaga struck a familiar pose at the 2011 Grammy Awards – one that looked suspiciously like Madonna, circa 1990.
The pop star took the stage to collect her statuette for Best Pop Vocal Album for "The Fame Monster" in a black leather bustier with a sculpted breastplate.  She also wore her hair in a long, blonde ponytail.
In 1990, Madonna introduced the Jean Paul Gaultier's cone bra and leotard, in both gold and black, on her smash Blonde Ambition tour. She also wore the now-iconic lingerie in her music videos for 'Vogue'."
She also wore her hair in a tight, high ponytail.
Her choice of S&M-inspired dress to the Grammys isn't the only comparison to Madonna that critics are drawing.
Critics and listeners have noted that the hotly anticipated single from her new album "Born This Way" sounds an awful lot like Madonna's 1989 smash dance hit "Express Yourself."

Source: NY Daily News.

A strange night for the Grammys
By DAVID BAUDER, AP Television Writer – Mon Feb 14, 12:46 am ET

Much like the music world itself, the Grammy Awards is a colorful train wreck of a television show.
Lady Gaga emerged from an egg to lay one, debuting her new song, "Born This Way," which apparently refers to pointed shoulders. The song's uncanny resemblance to Madonna's "Express Yourself" distracted from the dance production. And when Gaga later received an award for "The Fame Monster," her bleeped expletive distracted from what became a touching tribute to Whitney Houston.

Source: AP.

Madonna in Jean Paul Gaultier in 1990 ; Lady Gaga accepts a Grammy in 2011 in similar leather bustier.
Photos: Kardon/AP; Caulfield/WireImage.




Lady Gaga accepting the GRAMMY for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 53rd GRAMMY Awards.

Fergie des Black Eyed Peas ressemble à Madonna arrivant à LAX.

Fergie Looks Like Madonna Arriving at LAX
Author: Staff | Date: December 8th 2010

Fergie returned to the US on Monday (Dec 6) through LAX airport in Los Angeles after having been in London with her group Black Eyed Peas for the Jingle Bell Ball 2010.
Is it just us, or does Fergie look like Madonna’s twin with those glasses and that hat?  And we don’t mean young Madonna, either.

Source: GossipOnThis.

Le sosie de Madonna poursuit Simon Cowell.

27/08/2010

A Madonna impersonator is suing Britain's Got Talent over jibes made by one of the show's judges Simon Cowell.
Philip Grimmer, 57, made it through to the semi-final of the TV programme earlier this year.
For the live show, he performed a rendition of Madonna's Hung Up wearing a purple leotard, wig and knee-high boots.
Cowell called him a "hard of hearing and short-sighted Madonna" and described the act as "'monstrous".
He added: "Madonna at 95 would look better and dance better than you."
Mr Grimmer, who is partially deaf and short sighted, accuses the show of discrimination over a disability and the fact he was introduced by presenters Ant and Dec as a "successful drag queen".
The married father-of-one, from Ilford, claims he could be mistaken for a gay cross-dresser when he is simply a Madonna impersonator.
He is demanding £250,000 for lost earnings and injury to feelings.
In legal papers submitted to the Central London Employment Tribunal, Mr Grimmer said: "I was discriminated against by Simon Cowell and the two presenters Ant and Dec and by one of the assistant producers.
"I was singled out by these persons and received unfair and worse treatment and comments on the live TV show than other contestants."
A tribunal spokeswoman said: "We received the claim on August 4.
"His claim was about unfair dismissal, in the remit of employment law, was on the basis that his audition was the equivalent of a job interview."
Syco TV, which makes Britain's Got Talent, denies the claims.

Source: Sky News.

Partially deaf male Madonna impersonator sues Simon Cowell over 'hard of hearing' jibes on Britain's Got Talent
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 12:53 AM on 27th August 2010

Britain's Got Talent is being sued for £250,000 by a Madonna impersonator claiming Simon Cowell's jibes have ruined his life.
Philip Grimmer, who reached the semi-finals this year, accuses the show of discrimination over a disability and the fact that he was introduced as a drag queen.
The 57-year-old gyrated to Madonna's dance track Hung Up in a purple leotard, knee-high boots and blonde wig.
Cowell called him a 'hard of hearing and short-sighted Madonna'. Mr Grimmer is partially deaf and short sighted. Cowell also said the act was 'monstrous' and ' horrendous' , adding: 'Madonna at 95 would look better and dance better than you.'
Mr Grimmer, a married father-of-one, claims hosts Ant and Dec introduced him as a 'successful drag queen' and a 'man who likes dressing up as women', when he is simply a Madonna impersonator.
He claims that some family and friends could now mistake him for a gay cross-dresser.
Mr Grimmer is suing the ITV show on the grounds of disability, sexual orientation, age and sex bias.
He is demanding £250,000 for lost earnings and injury to feelings.
By contrast, Lady Gaga impersonator Max Oliver - a 21-year-old, gay cross-dresser - received no jibes about his sexuality on the show, Mr Grimmer says.
Mr Grimmer, who crashed out of this year's contest in the semi-final, says that he was deprived of the chance of winning £100,000 in the final.
He says that he also missed out on going on the post-final BGT tour and landing lucrative showbiz deals.
In legal papers submitted to Central London Employment tribunal, Mr Grimmer says that his disability discrimination claim mirrors that of fellow BGT reject Emma Amelia Pearl Czikai.
Miss Czikai, 54, is suing for £2.5 million, alleging that she was ridiculed by Cowell even though she told producers her medical condition had affected her audition.
The former nurse complains that Cowell told her she had a 'horrible singing voice'. In the legal papers, Mr Grimmer accuses show chiefs, Cowell and Ant and Dec of 'prejudice'.
He says: 'I was discriminated against by Simon Cowell and the two presenters Ant and Dec and by one of the assistant producers.
'I was singled out by these persons and received unfair and worse treatment and comments on the live TV show than other contestants based on abusive and possibly defamatory remarks.
'The comments have damaged my good reputation and have stopped me obtaining employment.' Mr Grimmer alleges that Cowell discriminated against him by poking fun at his disability.
He complains that Cowell insulted him on the live show by saying 'I have no idea whatsoever what he is going to do but I know it will be monstrous'.
Mr Grimmer says he made it clear on his application form that he was a 'female impressionist' only to be portrayed as a transvestite on the show.
He says: 'I am therefore claiming that I was discriminated against by Simon Cowell and the persons mentioned.'
He says of Ant and Dec referring to him as a cross-dresser: 'It could imply it is something I normally do, not just for my act, which is detrimental to my character.'
He adds: 'Most drag queens are considered to be gay and I am not gay at all.'
He says: 'I feel I was singled out and received unfair and detrimental comments that did not portray me as who I really am, so damaging my reputation with people that know me personally.'
Speaking today, Mr Grimmer vowed: 'This is David against Goliath. Madonna against Simon Cowell.
'I will take this all the way and Simon Cowell will long remember the day I was on the show.
'I just went on to do a fun act and he was brutal.' Syco TV denies all Mr Grimmer's claims of discrimination and is vigorously defending his case, which is due to be heard later this year.
Syco spokeswoman Ann-Marie Thomson declined to comment on the case.
But a show source said they were 'surprised' by Philip's fury.
They said: 'He never said anything at the time and enjoyed being on the show. He even asked for his costume to take home with him.
The case comes after Emma Amelia Pearl Czikai, 54, launched action against the show, claiming she was 'humiliated and degraded'.

Source: Mail Online.

Madonna impersonator Philip Grimmer performed a rendition of Madonna's Hung Up wearing a purple leotard, wig and knee-high boots.


Legal action: Madonna impersonator Philip Grimmer is suing Britain's Got Talent.


Simon Cowell branded Mr Grimmer's tribute act 'monstrous' and 'horrendous'.

'Britain’s Got Talent' va peut-être être poursuivi par un sosie de Madonna.

TV Exclusive
Madonna: I’m suing Cowell
By COLIN ROBERTSON
Published: 30 Jul 2010

Britain’s Got Talent may be sued by a SECOND reject - who claims he was portrayed as a transvestite.
Philip Grimmer, 56, crashed out of this year's contest after his excruciating Madonna "tribute" made it to the semi-final.
Philip claims he was made a laughing stock by judge Simon Cowell and hosts Ant and Dec on the hit ITV programme.
He wants bosses to pay up for "defaming" him.
Simon, 50, famously laid into the retired civil servant - whose act involved him prancing around on stage wearing a wig and leotard, singing Hung Up by Madonna.

Monstrous
Simon told him: "Madonna at 95 would look better and dance better than you."
Married Philip, who failed to get on the show at all in 2007 after Simon called his Kylie Minogue impersonation "monstrous", said the comments had infuriated him.
He told TV Biz: "Simon was so insulting. But it wasn't just him. Ant and Dec said I loved dressing up as a woman as if I liked doing it all the time.
"I'm a female impersonator, that's what I put on my application.
"It's my niche, I'm not gay or a transvestite.
"Even one of the producers said, 'Are you gay? You must be.'
My relatives think I'm a cross-dresser now, some sort of tranny.
"I've been married since 1977 and I have a daughter. I'm as straight as you can get."
Philip has approached a solicitor to try to sue the show and is "waiting for a barrister" to take the case.
He added: "They're portraying me as something I'm not which is defamation against my character. It's not who I am."
Philip admitted he sought legal advice after hearing about fellow reject Emma Amelia Pearl Czikai who is trying to sue BGT for more than £2.5million.
A show source said they were "surprised" by Philip's fury.
One said: "He never said anything at the time and enjoyed being on the show and of course on the telly.
"He even asked for his costume to take home with him.
"This sounds like sour grapes because he didn't win."
A spokeswoman from producer TalkbackThames said: "We are not aware of any complaint."

Audition
Emma, of Sutton Coldfield, claims producers discriminated against her by sending her packing even though she told them her medical condition had affected her audition.

Source: The Sun ShowbizTV.

Beret unhappy ... Philip Grimmer's Kylie act was called 'monstrous' by Cowell.


Reality ... Madonna.


Simon Cowell ... 'insulting'.

Lady Gaga ou Madonna : qui est la Vraie Reine de la Pop?

By Jerry Reth Filed in Madonna on July 3, 2010

Lady Gaga or Madonna : Who is the Real Pop Queen? – Comparisons between the two are made on a regular basis, and you can see why someone would think that Lady Gaga was attempting to become the new-age Madonna. They both were known for their wild choices of clothes, and for making controversial music that pushed the boundaries of a generation. Ever since her debut single was released, Gaga has become a worldwide icon, and a strong advocate for gay rights and women’s rights.
Her music does not sound all that similar to Madonna’s but the content is eerily similar. Both of their catalogues contain a number of sexually infused songs that have been heavily criticized by the media. Her most recent video for her song, “Alejandro,” is among the most controversial videos of all time.
The video contains a number of religious undertones that can be seen as an attempt to make a video like Madonna’s former hit, “Like a Prayer.”
She tends to speak on very controversial subjects. Often times the things that Gaga says alienates her from some of her fans, but it appears that the publicity she receives from making the comments far outweighs the harm of upsetting a small sect of Gaga fans.
Her other singles, “Paparazzi,” “Bad Romance,” and “Telephone” have all done well on the charts. When comparing their careers side by side, they have a very similar rise to stardom. Gaga wrote music for other people behind the scenes for many years before releasing her own music.

Here are their Billboard chart performances:

Billboard Hot 100
Madonna: 8 entries, 7 top 10s, 2 No. 1s (and 2 Gold titles, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
Lady Gaga: 10 entries, 7 top 10s, 2 No. 1s (and 4 Platinum titles, according to the RIAA)

Billboard 200
Madonna: 2 entries, 2 top 10s, 1 No. 1
Lady Gaga: 2 entries, 2 top 10s

Dance/Club Play Songs (comparing each artist’s first 26 months, since Lady Gaga first charted on the list dated May 3, 2008)
Madonna: 5 entries, 5 top 10s, 3 No. 1s
Lady Gaga: 8 entries, 8 top 10s, 7 No. 1s

Adult Contemporary
Madonna: 7 entries, 2 top 10s
Lady Gaga: 5 entries

Source: Spreadit.

Lady Gaga and Madonna