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Celebrity ARTICLES

Mad About Madonna

18th August 2008

By MELANY KARRMICHAEL

Breaking news !!! "Madonna books 4 more beauty ops in 50th birthday panic!" ... Well, is there any woman on the planet over 30 who hasn't thought about making a little improvement here or there? Sure, Madonna is one of the most talked about women of our time and she's bound to be on the front page of every newspaper when something like this is revealed, but let's face it - nobody can claim that she only looks as fantastic as she does thanks to plastic surgery.

When I think of Madonna, I think of an unbelievably energetic, sexy, ambitious, successful, provocative and most of all - hard-working - woman. She can't help stirring up feelings of admiration and envy in equal measures with her unique ability to entertain and shock, but our jealousy mustn't let us forget that Madonna is a self-made star. She came from humble beginnings and arrived in New York with just $35 in pocket. In other words, any one of us could have been just as wealthy and famous as Madonna if we'd had her talent and drive.

Madonna is the ultimate trendsetter and role model for millions of women of all ages, myself included. From her first hit "Like a Virgin" to her latest music video with Justin Timberlake, she is the embodiment of girl power and an absolute style icon. But people need to remember that stars are only human too. God help them if they're having a bad hair day, dare to leave the house without make-up or flash an ounce of cellulite - these unflattering photos are splashed all over the news within hours for normal people to gloat over with malicious joy in a desperate attempt to feel better about themselves.

The stars are under permanent pressure to look perfect, so it's really no wonder that Madonna has a strict exercise regime, watches what she eats and is not averse to the idea of plastic surgery. Her PR people have certainly got the right attitude "Whatever Madonna has had done - and we really don't know - she looks truly amazing." We are all worried about looking old, the only difference being that those of us who are not in the public eye can do this without international media interest.

As a teenager I can remember giggling at Joan Collins in Dynasty because it looked like she was being filmed through a veil. Approaching 40 myself, I don't laugh about this any more, but rather understand exactly how she must have felt. We, the public, are the ones that force stars to behave this way. It is us they are trying to please, so the least we could do is cut them a bit of slack when they are not at their peak every second of the every day.

Madonna, please do have a party to celebrate your birthday, even though you said you've had enough of parties - kiss as many men and women as you like, do something scandalous like having a sex toy party instead of a Tupperware party for your girlfriends if Guy has better things to do and repeat to yourself all day long - "I'm fifty, fit and fabulous!"