Local celebs heart Madonna

SHARON AU

Au was so excited about seeing Madonna in concert here that she replicated her idol's saucy pose from the Rebel Heart Tour poster on her Instagram page.

The 41-year-old actress-host, who donned a black swimsuit and red cardigan for it, said: "I don't usually post such (sexy) pictures of myself online, but when it comes to Madonna, I go a bit crazy."

 

 

It is apt that Au's favourite song during her childhood was Crazy For You, and she would lip-sync it while rolling around on the floor a la Madonna.

"I would pretend I was out of love, although I was too young to understand that at the time. I was probably more crazy for a snack," she joked.

Au last saw Madonna perform on her 2006 Music Tour when she was studying in Tokyo.

"I bought the cheapest ticket because I was on a student budget, and Madonna looked so tiny, like a little ant," she recalled.

"Still, it was very cool. Her showmanship was amazing, and the Japanese fans were so dedicated and came dressed like her, which really added to the atmosphere."

Au has purchased Category 1 tickets worth $688 to Madonna's Singapore gig, which she will attend with her friends.

"They are the same people I performed with in the 2000 National Day Parade, where we entertained the crowd with Holiday at the post-parade party. It was so much fun, and I'm sure the Rebel Heart Tour will also be a night to remember."

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ZOE TAY

In her teens, the 48-year-old veteran actress was grooving to Madonna songs such as Like A Virgin.

"Madonna's music videos were always a must-watch because her dance moves were amazing and really set trends. I remember dancing along to her songs at discos when I was younger," she said.

Tay believes seeing the singer perform is a "once-in-a-lifetime" experience. Befitting of showbiz royalty, she will be seated in the VIP section at the invitation of the concert organisers and plans to take her husband Philip Chionh.

Coincidentally, Feb 28 is also a special date for Tay - it is the anniversary of her Star Search win in 1988, which catapulted her to stardom.

"It'll be something unique, seeing my idol perform on the day that marks my 28th year in showbiz," she mused.

"I really admire Madonna's energy level at her age, and how she is still giving 100 per cent to her career, never giving up. Some people were born to be on stage, and Madonna is definitely one of them."

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CHERYL MILES

The ONE FM DJ made a special trip to Bangkok to catch Madonna live on Feb 9.

"She was two hours late, but it worked out because we got stuck in traffic and got there an hour late," said Miles, 41, who attended the concert with her girlfriends.

Miles paid 7,000 baht (S$275) for her ticket, and said she has "no regrets" about not attending the upcoming Singapore gig.

 

 

She said: "I bought tickets straightaway when the Bangkok show was announced since we didn't know yet if Madonna was coming to Singapore.

"But I think seeing her in Bangkok was a better experience because there was the excitement of travelling there, and the local Thai drag queens (among the audience) also adding to the experience.

"I even took a picture with one of them."

She assured Singapore fans that they will enjoy Madonna's show, despite the fact that it will be missing the "blasphemous bits" present in her Bangkok gig, such as her religious references to nuns.

"What I really loved about her concert was how she wove in her old songs with her new ones. Expect to hear lots of True Blue, Burning Up and Love Don't Live Here Anymore, but with a twist."

She added: "People should also bring some extra cash because there's some cool merchandise on sale. I bought a new tote bag and really love it."

Miles, a long-time Madonna fan, remembers dressing up as her idol as a 14-year-old.

"I went out and bought the same outfit she wore in her Lucky Star era: The black netted singlet and copious amounts of bangles. You could hear me coming from a mile away," she said with a laugh.

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BRYAN WONG

Here's a rare male fan who's willing to go all out for Madonna, even splashing out on a VIP ticket costing $1,288, reportedly the most expensive concert ticket here ever.

"I shamelessly tapped on all my connections to help me reserve it, as I was worried there would be none left after the priority tickets for fan club members and credit card holders (went on sale)," said the 45-year-old actor-host.

"I would bug people with texts three or four times a day."

He admitted it was a hefty price to pay but one that was well worth it as he knew he had procured "the best category" and would be "right in front... close to the stage".

A VIP ticket also includes a goodie bag with exclusive Madonna merchandise from the Rebel Heart Tour.

Wong said his Madonna ticket was the most costly he has ever bought.

"Watching Madonna live and seeing the Northern Lights are two of the items on my bucket list. I saw the Northern Lights in Tromso, Norway, last November, and I'm really happy I can fulfil my dream to see Madonna too," he said.

Wong, a big fan of 80s music, recalled playing Madonna records on his DJ console for his 17th birthday party.

"I've always loved her songs such as Like A Virgin, Holiday, and True Blue," he said. "Also, she is such a rebel and doesn't conform to society. She always reinvents herself and is not afraid to offend."

Wong will attend the gig with a few friends, and is excited to see his idol perform in the flesh.

"It'll be like having a long-term love affair with someone, and seeing them finally for the first time. The anticipation has just been building, and you hope the 20-odd years of adoration have been justified."